Messi, Mbappé, Haaland, Cristiano Ronaldo and Vini Jr. shine, decide games and lead the race for top scorer and the award for best player at the 2026 World Cup
The opening rounds of the 2026 World Cup highlighted the performance of big names in football. Although Lionel Messi stood out in the top scorer, showing a brilliant start, the competition for the title of best player in the championship promises to be one of the fiercest in recent editions. Several renowned athletes started the competition with high performance, accumulating goals, assists and decisive participations, elevating the search for individual recognition to a level of spectacle in itself.
As their teams advance to the knockout stages, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Vini Jr., Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane and other protagonists are in open competition for the Golden Boot and the World Cup star award. With each departure of one of these global stars, expectations grow about the performance of the others in the sequence.
More than just the numbers, the profound influence of each person on the field is notable. All played central roles in their respective teams, were decisive in important clashes and solidified the favoritism of teams that are considered among the main candidates for the trophy. In a tournament that brings together different generations of talent, individual brilliance has gone hand in hand with collective success.
Lionel Messi stands out in the competition for the competition’s top scorer
At 39 years old, Lionel Messi continues to build his legend in the World Cups. Argentina’s number 10 leads the top scorers list with five goals, once again captaining the current world champion towards qualification. Após um hat-trick na estreia contra a Argélia, ele balançou as redes mais duas vezes contra a Áustria, expandindo uma série de recordes que já o colocam entre os maiores jogadores da história do torneio. Messi remains the creative mind of the Argentine team, involved in building plays and taking responsibility in crucial moments.
Kylian Mbappé maintains a high level and is crucial to France’s performance
If the World Cup often raises the level of Kylian Mbappé’s football, the 2026 edition reiterates this characteristic. Top scorer in 2022, the French striker has already accumulated four goals, appearing just after Messi in the race for the Golden Shoe. After an intense season at Real Madrid, he remains one of the driving forces of France, who won their first two matches.
Erling Haaland makes impressive start to his first World Cup
After years of great anticipation, Erling Haaland finally participates in his first World Cup. The impact was immediate. With four goals in the first two games, the Norway striker demonstrated that the tournament was the missing stage in his remarkable career. An offensive reference for the Norwegian national team, the Manchester City center forward seeks to boost his country in a historic campaign.
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Vinicius Jr. assumes the offensive leadership of the Brazilian team
In Brazil, the leading role has been Vinicius Jr. The striker shares the second place in the World Cup, also with four goals, alongside Mbappé and Haaland. After scoring twice in the opening matches, he scored two more goals in the victory over Scotland and consolidated his importance in the Brazilian team. In addition to the goals, he also contributed an assist, directly participating in five of Brazil’s goals in the competition. The number 7 has been commanding the attack of Carlo Ancelotti’s team and, increasingly, demonstrates for the national team the football that made him famous at Real Madrid.
Cristiano Ronaldo demonstrates decision-making power and defies age
After an initial performance below expectations against the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41 years old, recovered in the second round and continues to prove his ability to decide games. Even at a different stage in his career, he maintains his influence in the field and his determination at important moments. The Portuguese captain scored twice against Uzbekistan.
Harry Kane seeks to regain prominence in the race for goals
Europe’s top scorer this season, Harry Kane had a good start to the World Cup, with two goals scored against Croatia, standing out as the main player in the English team. In the clash against Ghana, he was held back by the opposing defense in a goalless draw. However, Kane remains one of England’s main hopes in the championship, a team that showed excellent football in the first game and will face Panama in the group stage, this Saturday, in a new chance for the striker to re-establish himself in the fight for the tournament’s top scorer.
Michael Olise establishes himself as a key player in creating plays
While the competition for artillery focuses on some of the greatest attackers in the world, the art of creating plays has one of its greatest exponents in Michael Olise. The Frenchman has already distributed three assists, forming a decisive partnership with Mbappé in France’s attack. Although he is not in contention for top scorers so far, after a brilliant season for Bayern Munich, he has maintained his high level in the national team and is, so far, one of the highlights of the World Cup.
