Messi Leads Golden Boot Race As World Cup Round Of 16 Begins

Lionel Messi remains the leading top scorer at the ongoing FIFA World Cup as the competition enters the Round of 16 stage, with the Argentina captain holding a one-goal advantage over France’s Kylian Mbappe.

Messi has seven goals to his name at the tournament after scoring in Argentina’s 3-2 victory over Cape Verde in the Round of 32, taking his overall World Cup tally to 20 goals.

The Inter Miami forward is one goal ahead of Mbappe, who has six goals heading into the knockout rounds. Behind the two superstars are Norway’s Erling Haaland and England’s Harry Kane, both with five goals apiece.

Four players are tied on four goals: Brazil’s Vinicius Junior, France’s Ousmane Dembel...