The race for the World Cup Golden Boot is set to be one of the most exciting in years with some of the biggest names in world football making their mark. Lionel Messi , Kylian Mbappe , Ousmane Dembele, Vinicius Junior, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo have all been among the goals in the group stages.
Here, BOYLE Sports looks at the contenders for the coveted prize:
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi (Argentina) @ 10/11
With six goals in three games, the Argentina captain has been arguably the story of the tournament so far. His first-half strike in the 2-0 win over Austria saw him move ahead of Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer at the finals and then netted in his seventh consecutive World Cup appearance in the win over Jordan .
Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe (France) @ 5/2
The France forward , winner of this award in 2022, is two behind Messi after his two goals in the 3-0 win over Iraq moved him on to four for the tournament having also bagged a brace against Senegal . He is just three behind Messi in the all-time top-scorer list.
Ousmane Dembele
Ousmane Dembele (France) @ 12/1
The Paris St Germain star scored a stunning first-half hat-trick as France secured top spot in their World Cup Group I with a convincing 4-1 win over much-changed Norway . Dembele struck three times in the opening 32 minutes in Boston , twice assisted by Mbappe , as France maintained their 100 per cent record.
Harry Kane
Harry Kane (England) @ 14/1
Golden Boot winner in 2018 , the Bayern Munich striker became England’s record goalscorer at the World Cup after he scored in the 2-0 Group L win over Panama . Kane had moved level with Gary Lineker after bagging a brace against Croatia in England’s opening game before missing a late chance in the goalless draw with Ghana .
Vinicius Junio
Vinicius Junior (Brazil) @ 14/1
The Real Madrid star scored in every game as Brazil finished top of World Cup Group C. He struck a fabulous goal to rescue a point in their opener against Morocco before netting in the comfortable 3-0 win over Haiti . He then bagged a brace as the Selecao brushed aside Scotland by the same score. His form will be crucial to Brazil’s hopes of a decent run.
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland (Norway) @ 18/1
Playing at his first World Cup , the Manchester City striker made up for lost time by hitting four in his first two games as Norway breezed into the knockout stages. Was kept on the bench as wholesale changes were made in the defeat to France but has taken to international tournament football with ease.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) @ 40/1
After an anonymous opening game against the DR Congo , Ronaldo arrived at the World Cup party with a brace against Uzbekistan before again being a largely peripheral figure in the goalless draw with Colombia as Portugal advanced as Group K runners-up.
Early Payout Offer
2+ Goals Early Payout at BOYLE Sports
Back a football team with BOYLE Sports and if they go 2 goals ahead at any point, you're a winner. Full stop. It doesn't matter if they go on to draw or lose. Available on match betting markets across selected competitions. T&Cs apply.
Outsiders
Other contenders
Deniz Undav (Germany) @ 66/1: A rank outsider before the finals kicked off, the Stuttgart forward already has three goals and could be a surprise contender if Germany go far.
Brian Brobbey (Netherlands) @ 80/1: After a brief appearance against Japan , the Sunderland striker struck twice as the Dutch thrashed Sweden 5-1 before again being on target in the win over Tunisia .
Ismaila Sarr (Senegal) @ 100/1: The Crystal Palace forward bagged a brace in the defeat to Norway and netted in the 5-0 rout of 10-man Iraq as the Lions of Teranga advanced from Group I.
Bet on Football Odds at BOYLE Sports
Prices are subject to fluctuation
Remember, Always Gamble Responsibly
Not all opinions are equal. The BOYLE Sports Team is made up of experts who know the sports and betting world inside out, delivering the kind of insights and analysis that give you a real edge where it matters most.
