The 2026 World Cup has only just begun its first round of matches, but the race for the "Top Scorer" title has already heated up in ways no one could have predicted, especially given its captivating nature. Three of the world's most prominent strikers have all made a significant impact, turning the opening matches in Groups I and J into their own personal stage.
Messi scored 3 goals in one match.
At 38 years old, Lionel Messi continues to amaze the world . In his 200th match for the Argentine national team, he scored a hat-trick against Algeria, bringing his total international goals to 120. This was the first time Messi scored three goals in a single World Cup finals match, and it also helped him equal Miroslav Klose's record of 16 goals, making him a joint holder of the title of greatest goalscorer in history.
Looking back at Messi's journey, those numbers become even more remarkable. Twenty years ago, at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, he was just a young talent making his debut on the big stage. Two decades later, Messi has become the first player in history to participate in six World Cups, captaining the Argentine national team and a figure capable of deciding matches with moments of genius.
The three top scorer contenders exploded in the opening matches. Photo: FIFA
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé continues to show why he is considered the heir to the "throne" of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. After winning the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup, the French striker entered this year's tournament as the number one contender for all individual awards. His brace on the opening day not only helped Mbappé improve his World Cup goalscoring record but also confirmed the incredible consistency of a player who has just turned 27.
If Messi represents the glorious past and Mbappé the present, then Erling Haaland is the future of world football. After years of missing out on the World Cup due to Norway's modest level, the Manchester City striker finally had the chance to showcase his talent at the biggest tournament on the planet. Haaland wasted no time making his mark with a brace in his team's victory, which was also his first World Cup match.
Three completely different attacking styles.
Interestingly, these three stars not only differ in age but also represent three completely different attacking styles. Messi embodies creativity, technique, and game control; Mbappé possesses speed, explosiveness, and the ability to create breakthroughs at any moment; and Haaland is a modern center forward with physical strength, excellent positioning, and incredible goal-scoring efficiency.
The new format of the 2026 World Cup makes the competition even more exciting. Expanding the tournament to 48 teams and increasing the number of matches from 64 to 104 means that title contenders could play up to eight matches if they reach the final. This opens up opportunities for top scorers to accumulate more goals than in any previous World Cup.
However, each player has different advantages. Mbappé is backed by the French national team's world-class squad depth. Haaland can explode in any match, but Norway's journey is predicted to be less long than that of the other contenders. As for Messi, the Argentine coaching staff will likely prioritize keeping him fit if the team achieves its group stage objective early. This could inadvertently reduce his chances of increasing his goal tally compared to his younger teammates who are physically fitter.
Nevertheless, as the opening whistle of the 2026 World Cup blew, all three sent a strong message. Messi remains a crucial factor in the world's most prestigious tournament. Mbappé wants to reaffirm his position as the number one player of his generation. And Haaland is seeking his first major title with the national team.
This year's race is not simply a competition between the best goalscorers. It's also a rare encounter between three generations, three styles, and three different journeys at the pinnacle of world football. After the explosive night of June 17th, the World Cup has one of the most captivating stories to look forward to.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/vua-pha-luoi-world-cup-2026-cuoc-dua-ba-the-he-196260617202618917.htm
