The race for the Golden Boot became one of the defining storylines of the tournament, with Lionel Messi and Mbappe battling for the award from the group stage onwards.

Both stars scored consistently throughout the competition, helping Argentina and France reach the final stages of the World Cup.

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While Messi featured in the final against Spain, Mbappe played in the third-place playoff against England. The French forward sealed the Golden Boot with a brace, taking his tally to 10 goals and moving clear at the top of the standings.

Messi finished with eight goals and four assists after enduring a disappointing final against Spain where he had zero impact.

Before Mbappe’s final match, the Argentine held the advantage on the assist tiebreaker, but the Frenchman not only surpassed him in goals but also matched his four assists.

Bellingham Completes the Podium

Third-highest goalscorer at the World Cup. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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Real Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham finished third in the Golden Boot race after scoring seven goals, including a spectacular strike against France in the third-place playoff.

Bellingham edged Erling Haaland, who also scored seven goals, thanks to recording one assist during the tournament, while the Norwegian exited in the quarter-finals.

Further down the standings, Harry Kane and Ousmane Dembele both ended the tournament with six goals, while World Cup winner with Spain, Mikel Oyarzabal, rounded out the leading scorers with five.

Mbappe’s remarkable scoring record ensures his place in World Cup history as the first player ever to win the Golden Boot on two separate occasions.