A World Cup is always that little bit more special when the game's star names come to the party. Last week, four of football's elite strikers announced their arrival in devastating fashion, as though each was spurred on by the performance of the others. Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe got the ball rolling by scoring twice in France's 3-1 win over Senegal. That was emulated a couple of hours later by Manchester City's Erling Haaland in Norway's 4-1 win over Iraq. Then step forward Lionel Messi, the Inter Miami attacker proving his enduring class with a hat-trick as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0. Bayern Munich's Harry Kane then netted twice as England beat Croatia 4-2. Could this be the tournament of the star striker? And if you're up against them, how do you plan to stop them?
Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, took his treble to level with Germany's Miroslav Klose as the World Cup's all-time top scorer on 16 goals. Mbappe is just two behind with 14. The forward has 120 international goals. "It's more of a team effort," former Everton and Wales defender Ashley Williams told BBC Sport. "I always felt being a defender that you are hoping for a bit of luck. You've got to cover all your bases, which might be getting tight as a defender, or dropping off and letting your midfield get tight." Williams added that forcing an attacker onto their weaker foot would have limited success with Messi. "He seems to take control in possession, no matter where you try to push him out to," Williams said. "He's got the low centre of gravity, great balance, his touch is exceptional, so he can manipulate the ball and get you into a place you don't want."
“Messi, Mbappe, Haaland and Kane each scored twice or more in the first week, setting the World Cup alight.”
The Golden Boot is awarded to the World Cup's top goalscorer, with assists used as a tie-breaker. The 2026 tournament has three former Golden Boot winners taking part: Kylian Mbappe of France (eight goals in 2022), England's Harry Kane (six goals in 2018) and Colombia's James Rodriguez (six goals in 2014). Mbappe and Kane are among the pre-tournament favourites to finish top scorer, alongside Norway's Erling Haaland, making his World Cup debut, and Argentina's Lionel Messi. As Williams said, defenders are left hoping for a bit of luck against such lethal form.