The 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar has reached the knockout stages, and among the biggest prizes players are competing for is the Golden Boot award, which is awarded to the player with the most goals in the tournament.
The number of assists is used by the player in the event of a tie between more than one player in the number of goals scored.
If the players tie in both cases, the winner will be decided by whoever played the least number of minutes.
England captain Harry Kane won the award at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, scoring six goals and leading his team to the semi-finals.
Below is an overview of the contenders in the race for top scorer at the 2022 World Cup.
Alvaro Morata
has been Atletico Madrid’s top scorer in all three of Spain’s Group E matches, including scoring once after coming on as a substitute against 2014 champions Germany.
Morata, who came off the starting line-up for Marco Asensio in his country’s first two World Cup matches, set up Spain’s fifth goal in their 7-0 win over Costa Rica before scoring himself to round out the seven in Qatar’s opening match.
They put Luis Enrique’s side ahead in their final group game but the 2010 champions were beaten as Japan produced their second stunning turnaround of the tournament to reach the last 16 as top of the group.
Kylian Mbappe
, France’s lucky mascot, failed to hit the net as Tunisia stunned the defending champions in their final Group D match.
The 23-year-old scored against Australia in his team’s opener and scored twice in the second half against Denmark as France booked their place in the knockout stages.
He could add to that tally with his country facing Poland in the last 16.
Poland’s all-time top scorer Robert Lewandowski will also be looking to improve his tally, which includes just one goal so far in Qatar.
England striker Marcus Rashford is enjoying a dreamy start to his campaign at the World Cup in Qatar.
Rashford’s place in the squad was uncertain a few months ago due to a slump in form and a fitness issue, but the Manchester United forward rose to the challenge for the Golden Boot by scoring twice in England’s victory over Gareth Bale’s Wales.
Rashford’s teammates Phil Foden and Jack Grealish (both from Manchester City), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea) and Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund) also featured on the scorers list during the group stage.
Cody Jakobo has
scored consistently in Qatar so far, as the Netherlands progressed to the last 16 after finishing top of Group A.
However, Jakpo was unable to add to his tally as the Netherlands beat America 3-1 in the last 16.
Jakpo, 23, was influential in his club Eindhoven’s march towards the knockout stages of the Europa League and was the subject of speculation about a transfer to a major European club, with a number of clubs reportedly competing for his signature when the next summer transfer window begins.
Lionel Messi
The Argentine superstar is taking part in what he says will be the last World Cup he will play in.
The 35-year-old opened his career in Qatar by scoring from the penalty spot in the surprise defeat by Saudi Arabia in Group C, before scoring and helping Enzo Fernandez achieve victory over Mexico in a charged match.
Messi also scored in Argentina’s 2-1 win over Australia in the round of 16, putting his team ahead after 35 minutes with a low curling effort that calmly slotted in for his 94th international goal.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has a trophy-laden career at club level and his fans around the world are hoping he can finally help bring home the World Cup this time around.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi’s arch-rival, is eyeing the Golden Boot after becoming the first player to score in five World Cups when he scored against Ghana in his team’s opening match in Group H.
Bruno Fernandez
The controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo and his tumultuous departure from Manchester United somewhat clouded Portugal’s run at the Qatar World Cup.
But his former club-mate Bruno Fernandes, 28, stepped out of Ronaldo’s shadow by scoring twice against Uruguay after setting up two goals in Portugal’s 3-2 win over Ghana.
Ener Valencia
Ecuador’s all-time top scorer, who bears the nickname “Superman” in his country, scored the first two goals for Ecuador in the World Cup in their opening match against hosts Qatar at Al Bayt Stadium, as the South Americans clinched victory.
Valencia added the third goal in a deserved 1-1 draw against the Netherlands, but would not be able to improve their tally as Ecuador failed to reach the knockout stages after losing 2-1 to Senegal to finish third in Group A.
