Several reports discuss how Lionel Messi, despite reaching the FIFA World Cup final, can still fail to win the Golden Boot. The Golden Boot is awarded based on the number of goals scored in the tournament, so the outcome depends on both Messi’s final tally and the goals scored by other leading scorers in the closing match. Coverage notes that reaching the final does not automatically guarantee the top scorer award, since any goals added by rivals in the remaining games can change the ranking. The discussion also frames Messi’s role as central to Argentina’s attacking output, emphasizing that Argentina’s chances in the tournament have been closely tied to their captain’s performances. Overall, the reports indicate that the final standings will be determined after the last match and by comparing Messi’s total against the tournament’s other top goal scorers, whose totals can still be increased.