Lionel Messi is tied with Kylian Mbappé on the goals-and-assists totals in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race after scoring no goals but providing two assists in Argentina’s 2-1 comeback win over England. Multiple reports say Messi’s performance in the semi-final helps Argentina overturn the deficit and reach the final, while also reshaping the Golden Boot standings. One account notes that Messi draws level with Mbappé and that Mbappé remains ahead on a minutes-played tiebreaker at that stage. Another report says Messi then moves ahead of Mbappé using the competition’s tiebreakers, describing him as leading on the basis of goals and assists and citing tournament figures of eight goals and four assists. The reports also indicate Messi, now aged 39, enters the final with Argentina and holds pole position depending on the specific tiebreaker applied. With the remaining match schedule still including a third-place playoff for some teams, standings are presented as subject to confirmation as other players add or fail to add to their totals.