From the opening whistle, elite strikers have been toppling records.
Messi’s climb to the summit of the all-time World Cup charts has rightly dominated the headlines.
But he isn’t the only one rewriting the record books this tournament.
Mbappé now leads France’s scoring list, Haaland is already Norway’s top World Cup scorer after just two games, and Kane has matched Gary Lineker’s World Cup mark for England.
All of them will be targeting Just Fontaine’s French record of 13 goals at a single tournament, set in 1958.
Only three players—Fontaine, Germany’s Gerd Müller in 1970 and Hungary’s Sándor Kocsis in 1954—have ever reached double figures at one World Cup.
It wouldn’t be a shock if that exclusive club grows by the time this tournament ends.
The expanded 48-team format seems to have boosted scoring chances. With more lower-ranked sides, the game’s top forwards have flourished.
The champions will also play an extra round for the first time—another factor that could lift goal totals.
Former France defender Gaël Clichy told BBC Sport that Kylian Mbappé belongs to a fearless new generation.
He recalled that when he came through, young players were expected to defer to senior pros—certainly not try to nutmeg them.
Today’s players still respect their elders, he added, but it’s measured by performance rather than age.
Which brings us back to the Golden Boot race.
Mbappé said it isn’t on his mind. He noted that Leo always scores and always will.
Rather than tracking Messi, he focuses on helping his team—believing that by doing so he’ll score and edge closer to that level.
Norway boss Ståle Solbakken, unsurprisingly, talked up Haaland’s case.
He called him the best striker, noting he’s doing it for Norway, with four goals already—two braces on the biggest stage.
Solbakken admitted it’s easier to chase the Golden Boot with France or Argentina, but said Norway will try to give Erling more games and support. Haaland, he added, is on fire.
USA forward Folarin Balogun has started well too, scoring twice in his first two matches.
He joked that it’s frustrating watching Messi, Mbappé and Haaland, who seem inevitable—often scoring every game.
His aim, he said, is to reach that same level of inevitability.