The world will be watching this summer as the beautiful game travels to Russia with the best nations competing for the World Cup – and the goalscorers competing for the Golden Boot.
The 2014 World Cup Golden Boot was won by Colombia’s James Rodriguez, who set the tournament alight with six goals and goal of the tournament before earning a transfer to Real Madrid shortly after.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi is one of the frontrunners to scoop this award after missing out in Brazil 2014.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is rigorously preparing for his last chance at glory with his country and has been open about how his nation ‘needs to win’. The Argentine has remained in the spotlight despite a star-studded attack, with two international hat-tricks since October 2017 and has managed 45 goals in 54 matches this season for Barcelona.
Argentina’s opening match against Iceland is the perfect opportunity for the Barcelona forward to open his account, followed up by two matches against Croatia and Nigeria. Favourites to top the group, it is likely the 30-year-old will rack up plenty of minutes throughout the tournament to dazzle defenders and nestle the net.