With the FIFA World Cup semi-finals fast-approaching, we analyse the three primary candidates to end as top scorer in Qatar.
Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi are locked in a race for the Golden Boot, but discount Olivier Giroud at your own peril.
– Kylian Mbappé | 5 goals
After scoring four goals and scooping the Best Young Player award in Russia 2018, Mbappé is now the face of the French attack.
Mbappé leads the way in Qatar with five goals to his name thus far. Overall, in 12 games at the World Cup finals, he has netted nine times at the quadrennial event; more than the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar (both 8), Diego Maradona (7), and Thierry Henry (6) – who all featured in at least three editions of the tournament.
Although he is deemed the most potent threat in attack for Les Bleus, it must be said Mbappé boasts an artillery of note in Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, and Ousmane Dembélé. Karim Benzema was ruled out of the World Cup with injury, however he remains listed on France’s squad for the tournament.
Mbappé is just one goal shy of Thomas Müller, co-winner of the Golden Boot in 2010, having played seven games fewer than the Germany attacker. Turning 24 following the World Cup finale, the Frenchman is also closing in on the tally of Brazil legend Pelé, the only three-time world champion, who scored 12 goals in 14 games at the World Cup.
Kylian Mbappe has now scored more World Cup goals than…
— Joe Crann (@YesWeCrann) December 4, 2022
Diego Maradona
Cristiano Ronaldo
Rivaldo
Rudi Voller
Davor Suker
Hristo Stoichkov
Neymar
Asamoah Gyan
Thierry Henry
Mario Kempes
Geoff Hurst
Zinedine Zidane
And he’s already won the thing.
Again… He’s 23. pic.twitter.com/VUQxFlpb6h
– Lionel Messi | 4 goals
Also in contention for the prize for top scorer, Messi is just one goal adrift Mbappé.
As expected, the Argentine skipper has been integral to his nation’s efforts in the Middle East. His four goals (and two assists) have been of essence for the South American champions, as the 35-year-old aims to bow out with a winner’s medal in what is likely to be his final showing at the World Cup.
With Argentina guaranteed to play twice more at Qatar 2022, Messi has already matched his best returns at a single World Cup event (four goals in 2014) and the Argentina hero has the chance to land both the Golden Boot (top scorer) and Golden Ball (best player) accolades.
Only Mbappé (7) has been directly involved in more goals than Messi this tournament, and the pair of Paris St-Germain teammates could meet in the World Cup final on Sunday.
5 – Lionel Messi has assisted five goals in the World Cup knockout stages – since Opta have World Cup assists (from 1966), this is the most on record in the knockout rounds of the finals, surpassing Pelé’s four. Goat. pic.twitter.com/ScHbh5oj1b
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 9, 2022
– Olivier Giroud | 4 goals
Also on four goals is Giroud. Perhaps nobody benefitted more from Benzema’s injury relapse than the 36-year-old striker did.
Giroud was on target twice in France’s World Cup opener with Australia, before netting in both of their knockout matches versus Poland and England. His strike in the last-16 was his 52nd in France colours, elapsing Thierry Henry and making Giroud the all-time top scorer for Les Bleus.
Although he and strike partner Mbappé have been in free-scoring form for the duration of the tournament, the French next come up against perhaps the sturdiest defence in Qatar, with Morocco bidding for a berth to the final.
With Morocco yet to concede to an opposing player at the showpiece event, it may take something special to break down the Atlas Lions. That something special could just be Giroud, Mbappé and co.
(Photo: ANP via Getty Images)
It’s a three-horse race for the Golden Boot, with the chance that all three horses are involved in the World Cup final on December 18.
Prior to the semi-final showdowns on Tuesday and Wednesday, the bookies have Mbappé at 1.50 to win the Golden Boot at Qatar 2022; Messi is 3.75 while Giroud is priced 7.00 for top scorer at the tournament.
(Bet365)
