MY ACCOUNT
The race for World Cup glory is well and truly on — and so is the battle to be the tournament’s top goalscorer.
While lifting the famous Jules Rimet trophy will be the aim for the eight teams who now remain in contention, individuals can write themselves into the history books by winning the Golden Boot.
With one star out in front and a large collection of others chasing behind, we look at the current candidates to be Qatar 2022’s most prolific marksman ahead of the quarter-finals.
Kylian Mbappe (France) — Five goals, two assists
The clear frontrunner ahead of the last eight is France phenomenon Kylian Mbappe with five goals in four games so far.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward has been in sensational form, netting in Les Blues’ opener against Australia before a magnificent match-winning double to beat Denmark in the group stage.
The 23-year-old was at it again in their last-16 tie with Poland, firing home their second before deliciously curling home his fifth of the campaign late on.
Lionel Messi (Argentina) — Three goals, one assist
Lionel Messi’s hopes of finally delivering a World Cup triumph are still alive and no Argentina player has done more than the diminutive magician to help them get to this stage.
The 35-year-old got off the mark from the spot only 10 minutes into his first game at the 2022 showpiece, though that match ultimately ended in a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia.
With La Albiceleste facing a disastrous early exit, Messi struck home a crucial effort from distance against Mexico on their way to a 2-0 win.
Having reached the last 16 by beating Poland by the same scoreline, their talisman came to the fore yet again as his delightful finish broke the deadlock in a 2-1 victory over a resolute Australia side.
Goncalo Ramos (Portugal) — Three goals, one assist
Not many expected 21-year-old striker Goncalo Ramos to feature in Portugal’s last-16 clash with Switzerland, but he grasped his opportunity in blistering style.
An extraordinary performance saw the youngster beat Yann Sommer at his near post with a vicious strike after 17 minutes before two further finishes made him the first hat-trick scorer of Qatar 2022.
Having also provided the assist for Raphael Guerreiro, Ramos now finds himself second alongside Messi in the scoring charts.
Marcus Rashford (England) — Three goals
Leading a group of five players tied on three goals still in contention to surpass Mbappe’s tally, England forward Marcus Rashford is next on this list thanks to his superior ratio of 2.05 strikes per 90 minutes.
The Manchester United attacker only recently won back his place in Gareth Southgate’s squad after a difficult period since his penalty miss in the Euro 2020 final shootout defeat to Italy.
He netted just minutes into his international return against Iran before playing a starring role from the start against Wales with two goals — the first an excellent free-kick past Danny Ward.
Bukayo Saka (England) — Three goals
Rashford’s Three Lions team-mate Bukayo Saka also has a trio of goals to his name, after dinking a neat finish in England’s 3-0 last-16 win over Senegal.
The Arsenal starlet, 21, is a key component of Southgate’s side and made himself an early contender for the prize with a lovely brace in his World Cup debut against Iran.
If Saka is selected for the quarter-final clash with France, he will be a key man for Didier Deschamps’ world champions to watch out for.
Olivier Giroud (France) — Three goals
There is every chance Olivier Giroud would have barely kicked a ball for France had Karim Benzema been fit for this World Cup.
Now Les Blues’ all-time top scorer with 52 goals, it would be foolish to discount the 36-year-old centre forward out of the race at this stage.
A brace against Australia was followed by an important opener in the last-16 encounter with Poland and now the former Arsenal and Chelsea man will hope to end England’s run in Qatar.
Richarlison (Brazil) — Three goals
Brazil outlined their credentials to go all the way with a superb 4-1 win over South Korea in the last 16, with Tottenham striker Richarlison finishing off a fine team move to score arguably the pick of the bunch.
The Selecao No9 can also lay claim to another contender for goal of the tournament with an exceptional touch and scissor-kick effort in the South American’s opener against Serbia.
Having netted both of Brazil’s goals in the 2-0 win that night, he is likely to stay in the Golden Boot conversation as the tournament favourites target their first World Cup title in 20 years.
Cody Gakpo (Netherlands) — Three goals
PSV Eindhoven ace Cody Gakpo was already one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards before the World Cup — and his performances for the Netherlands have shown exactly why that is.
The 23-year-old nodded home six minutes from time to help the Oranje overcome Senegal in their opener, before netting against both Ecuador and Qatar in an impressive group-stage showing.
Interest from the likes of Manchester United will only hot up if he can inspire his country past Argentina into the semi-finals.
