Messi opened with a hat trick for Argentina and shares the tournament lead with three goals. Canada's Jonathan David and Germany's Deniz Undav also have three after braces in their second group stage games. Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal recorded the latest brace in a victory against Saudi Arabia on Sunday, pushing the count of players with at least two goals to 18.
Messi can add to his total in Monday's noon ET match against Austria. Mbappe had a brace in France's opener. Kane faces Ghana on Tuesday. Erling Haaland, who also plays on Monday is now listed at +1200.
Current Golden Boot odds
- Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe (+300, co-favorites)
- Harry Kane (+350)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (+450)
- Mikel Oyarzabal (+700)
- Erling Haaland (+1200)
- Kai Havertz (+1600)
- Deniz Undav (+1800)
- Jonathan David (+2000)
Before the tournament, Mbappe was the +600 top choice and Kane was +700. Messi was the +1600 fifth choice behind Haaland and Oyarzabal. Mbappe the 2022 Golden Boot with eight goals as France lost the final to Messi's Argentina.
Players with braces in a single match
- Lionel Messi (Argentina, hat trick in opener)
- Kylian Mbappe (France)
- Harry Kane (England)
- Jonathan David (Canada)
- Deniz Undav (Germany)
- Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain, vs Saudi Arabia on Sunday)
- Folarin Balogun (USMNT)
- Cody Gakpo (Netherlands)
- Elijah Just (New Zealand)
Other listed Golden Boot candidates include Johan Manzambi (Switzerland), Brian Brobbey (Netherlands), Jude Bellingham (England), Breel Embolo (Switzerland), Granit Xhaka (Switzerland), Marcus Rashford (England), and Ruben Vargas (Switzerland). With many group stage games still ahead, the market could see more volatility before a winner is settled.
