Lionel Messi won the adidas Silver Boot award after finishing as the second-highest scorer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup [1].
The achievement marks a significant individual milestone for the Argentina captain in a tournament that featured a record 48 teams [3]. His performance underscores his continued influence on the global stage despite the emergence of a new generation of strikers.
Messi scored eight goals during the competition [1]. According to FIFA, these eight goals for Argentina secured him the Silver Boot award [4]. The ceremony took place in July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, U.S. [2].
While Messi reached the podium, he did not claim the top prize for scoring. Kylian Mbappé took home the Golden Boot after scoring nine goals [5]. The narrow gap between the two players highlighted a competitive race for the tournament's most prolific striker.
"Messi's eight-goal haul secured him the Silver Boot award as the tournament's second-top scorer," Financial Express staff said [6].
The 2026 tournament saw a shift in individual accolades, with Spain dominating several award categories. Despite the team results, Messi's ability to find the net consistently remained a focal point of the event. Yahoo Sports said that while Mbappé won the Golden Boot, Messi's eight goals earned him the Silver Boot [7].
FIFA confirmed the result in an official announcement, stating that "Lionel Messi wins the adidas Silver Boot with his eight goals for Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup" [4].
“Lionel Messi won the adidas Silver Boot award after finishing as the second-highest scorer.”
Messi's Silver Boot finish reinforces his status as one of the most consistent goal-scorers in international football history. By nearly matching Mbappé's nine-goal total in an expanded 48-team format, Messi demonstrated that his offensive productivity remains elite even as the tournament structure evolves and the level of competition increases.
