Qatar 2022: Who win the Golden Boot among Mbappé, Messi and others
The World Cup trophy is not the only prize on offer in Qatar on Sunday. Four players, two from each finalist, are in the running to win the Golden Boot.
Lionel Messi
Goals: 5
Assists: 3
Unlike Mbappé, who is all action, Messi has to pick and choose his moments to make an impact. At 35 he has to manage his game but that hasn’t stopped him shining. Take the goal against Mexico — in a must-win game, he had been quiet and then bang, he drives in a beautiful strike from outside the box.
In the semi-final it was similar — I thought he was largely quiet early on but scored his penalty and then produced more magic in the second half. Three of his goals have been penalties which is not to be sniffed at, given how much pressure and responsibility is on players on this stage. His ability to create a moment out of nothing means he is always in the running to score.
Kylian Mbappé
Goals: 5
Assists: 2
He is having such a strong season for club and country with 24 goals in all competitions and at this tournament he’s shown what his game is really all about. So many who don’t watch him regularly for Paris Saint-Germain believed that his main strength was hugging the left wing and trying to beat full backs with his pace.
That is just one of his threats and in Qatar he’s shown his versatility. His movement in the box has been great, not only for scoring goals such as against Denmark in the group stage, but also to take opponents out of the way and create space for his team-mates.
He did this to good effect against England — where Kyle Walker largely kept him quiet — but his runs made space for Aurélien Tchouameni to strike the opening goal. I wonder if he’ll be forced to have a similar role in the final, with Argentina’s tenacious defenders keen to shackle him. But he’s got that confidence and swagger and he’ll be desperate to make his mark.
Olivier Giroud
Goals: 4
Assists: 0
He’s had an excellent tournament — he has done all the hold-up play you would expect but his goals have been brilliant too. He’s 36 now and I feel he’s become more and more clinical as his career has progressed and he deserves huge credit for that.
He scored 17 in 42 games for club and country last season and he’s got 13 in 24 already in this campaign. He didn’t score in 2018 when France triumphed and the fact he’s in the running for the Golden Boot just shows that progression. His headed winner against England was exceptional — both the movement and the header, even though it took a nick off Harry Maguire.
With Argentina focused on Mbappé, I could see him having a chance in the final.
Julian Álvarez
Goals: 4
Assists:0
I’m not sure many of us would have expected him to be in the running to be top scorer but he’s been just what Argentina have needed — and I’m not talking about his goals.
The Manchester City forward a bit like Jamie Vardy, buzzing around, annoying defenders and playing on the shoulder, but it’s his tenacity that has been key. With Messi marauding and needed to conserve energy for when they have the ball, Álvarez has been vital in pressing and defending and doing Messi’s legwork. He’s kept Lautaro Martínez and Ángel Di María out of the team, and it’s clear that he’s loving the opportunity.
He’s taken his opportunistic goals well but I imagine he’ll have more important work to do off the ball in the final.
Verdict
I could see Giroud scoring in the final. I think he’ll relish the battle with Cristian Romero and Nicolás Otamendi and, as mentioned, he could benefit from Argentina focusing on Mbappé. But with Messi’s assists counting in his favour if there’s a tie — and his ability to turn it on in an instant — he will take the Golden Boot.
