The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is
nearing its knockout phase. One of the top awards players
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compete for is the Golden Boot, awarded to the player with the
most goals in the tournament.
The number of assists by a player is considered in the case
of a tie for goals scored. If multiple players are tied on both
counts, the winner is decided after factoring in which player
played the lowest minutes.
England’s captain Harry Kane bagged the prize in the 2018
edition of the World Cup in Russia, where he scored six goals
and led his team to the semi-finals. Below is an overview of
contenders in the race for top scorer in the 2022 World Cup:
KYLIAN MBAPPE
France’s talisman failed to find the net as Tunisia recorded
a famous upset over Les Bleus in their final Group D match. The
23-year-old scored against Australia in their opener and bagged
a second-half double against Denmark as France booked their
knockout spot.
He could add to that as his country faces off against Poland
in the last 16. Poland’s all-time top scorer Robert Lewandowski
will also be looking to better his count.
MARCUS RASHFORD
The England striker has enjoyed a dream start to his World
Cup campaign in Qatar.
Rashford’s place in the squad was uncertain a few months ago
due to form and fitness, but the Manchester United forward moved
up the Golden Boot standings after he netted twice in England’s
rout of a Gareth Bale-led Wales side.
Rashford’s teammates Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack
Grealish (Manchester City), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem
Sterling (Chelsea) and Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund) also
featured on the scoresheet during the group stage.
CODY GAKPO
The Dutch forward has managed to find the net regularly in
Qatar so far, as the Netherlands progressed to the last 16 after
finishing top of Group A.
The 23-year-old Gakpo has been influential in his club PSV
Eindhoven’s run to the knockout stages in the Europa League and
is a target of transfer speculation with top European clubs said
to be vying for his signature when next summer’s transfer window
opens.
ENNER VALENCIA
Ecuador’s all-time top scorer, nicknamed “Superman” at home,
scored the first two goals of the World Cup in their opening
match against hosts Qatar at the Al Bayt stadium as the South
Americans ran out winners.
Valencia added a third in a deserved 1-1 draw against the
Netherlands, but will not be able to improve his tally as
Ecuador failed to reach the knockout stage after losing 2-1 to
Senegal to finish third in Group A.
LIONEL MESSI
The Argentina great is playing in what he has said is
probably his last World Cup. The 35-year-old opened his account
by burying a spot-kick in a shock Group C loss to Saudi Arabia,
before scoring one and assisting Enzo Fernandez in an
emotionally-charged win over Mexico.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has enjoyed a trophy-laden
career at both club and personal level but has so far failed to
deliver a long-awaited World Cup for his country, something fans
around the world would like to see change this time around.
Messi’s arch-rival, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, will also
be eyeing the Golden Boot as he became the first player to score
in five World Cups after his goal against Ghana in their Group H
opener.
BRUNO FERNANDES
Portugal’s run in the World Cup in Qatar so far has been
overshadowed by controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo and
his acrimonious departure from Manchester United.
But 28-year-old Bruno Fernandes, who has long played second
fiddle to his superstar teammate, stepped out of Ronaldo’s
shadow by scoring twice against Uruguay, after he set up two
goals in Portugal’s 3-2 win against Ghana.
WORLD CUP TOP GOAL SCORER 2022: GOLDEN BOOT STANDINGS*
PLAYER TEAM GOALS ASSISTS GAMES MINUTES
Kylian Mbappe France 3 1 3 207
Marcus Rashford England 3 0 3 117
Cody Gakpo Netherlands 3 0 3 251
Enner Valencia Ecuador 3 0 3 257
Bruno Fernandes Portugal 2 2 2 180
Alvaro Morata Spain 2 1 2 69
Lionel Messi Argentina 2 1 3 270
Cho Gue-sung South Korea 2 0 2 106
Ferran Torres Spain 2 0 0 111
Andrej Kramaric Croatia 2 0 2 144
Bukayo Saka England 2 0 2 149
Olivier Giroud France 2 0 2 152
Richarlison Brazil 2 0 2 152
Mohammed Kudus Ghana 2 0 2 160
Mehdi Taremi Iran 2 0 2 180
Salem Aldawsari Saudi Arabia 2 0 3 270
* Stats as of Nov. 30
(Compiled by Siddharth K in Bengaluru; Editing by Milla Nissi)
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