World Cup

World Cup 2022: Who will win the Golden Boot at this year's tournament?

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 20 November 2022

The Sports Mole team discuss who they believe will be the top scorer and winner of the Golden Boot at this winter's World Cup in Qatar.

Thirty-two nations and 831 players will be heading to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with all of them dreaming of lifting the trophy on December 18.

Only a relatively small number of those dreams may be realistic, but even if their respective teams do not fare well, the World Cup also provides a window of opportunity for every player to show what they can do on the grandest stage.

The forwards in particular will have their eyes set on the Golden Boot - awarded to the top scorer - as they look to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Eusebio, Gerd Muller and Ronaldo.

Here, the Sports Mole team discuss who they believe will win the Golden Boot this year.

Barney Corkhill, Editor - Kylian Mbappe (France)

Kylian Mbappe in action for France on September 25, 2022 © Reuters

I am expecting both Brazil and Argentina to get far in the tournament, so Neymar and Lionel Messi may be close to this award, but I believe their Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe will pip them to the top-scorer accolade.

Karim Benzema's injury means that even more onus will be on Mbappe as France's main goal-getter, and his previous World Cup-winning experience should only help in that respect.

The attacker lit up the tournament in Russia four years ago and has been a prolific form for PSG this season, even in a slightly more restricted role than he enjoys with the French team.

World Cup holders have not fared particularly well in recent tournaments, but it would be a major surprise if Didier Deschamps's supremely-talented squad did not make it far in Qatar, so Mbappe should have plenty of opportunity to find the back of the net along the way.

Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter - Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Lionel Messi in action for Argentina on September 27, 2022 © Reuters

With Erling Braut Haaland watching on from home, a number of elite forwards could be up for this award and one of those is sure to be Argentina's talisman and all-time leading scorer Lionel Messi.

The 35-year-old, who will be fired up for what could be his last dance on the international stage, has scored 11 goals in his last seven games for Argentina and he will be at the forefront of their fearsome frontline in Qatar.

Lautaro Martinez could be another in the mix this year - the Inter Milan striker was Argentina's joint-top scorer along with Messi in World Cup qualifying.

Dominic Lund, Reporter - Harry Kane (England)

Harry Kane celebrates scoring for England on September 26, 2022 © Reuters

I think Harry Kane should be good enough to win it, as he has favourable fixtures in the group stage, in which he should be able to rack up plenty of goals ahead of the knockout rounds.

Declan Carr, Reporter - Darwin Nunez (Uruguay)

Darwin Nunez celebrates scoring for Uruguay on September 27, 2022 © Reuters

Darwin Nunez. The chaos he brings means he'll either get sent off in the first match or win the Golden Boot. I predict a hat-trick against either South Korea or Ghana.