World Cup 2022 Golden Boot favourites: Who will be top scorer?

The World Cup 2022 Golden Boot race is set to be one of the best in years, as some of the game's biggest goal threats strut their stuff on the biggest stage.

As well as hoping to fire their respective nations to success out in Qatar, the world's best strikers will be vying to claim individual honours as the tournament's top scorer.

Harry Kane is the bookies' favourite to win the World Cup 2022 Golden Boot for the second tournament running – something no one's ever done – but he's bound to face stiff competition.

FourFourTwo runs through the leading contenders to walk away with the shoe-shaped prize this time around...

World Cup 2022 Golden Boot rivals: Harry Kane (England)

With six goals – including a brace in England's dramatic 2-1 over Tunisia and a hat-trick in the 6-0 thrashing of Panama – Harry Kane scooped the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

By doing so, the Three Lions captain became the second Englishman to take home the prize – after Gary Lineker in 1986.

Kylian Mbappe (France)

Voted Best Young Player for years ago, Kylian Mbappe netted four times as he lit up his first-ever World Cup while still only 19.

The lightning-quick PSG star averages close to a goal every other game for his country and has finished as Ligue 1 top scorer in each of the last four seasons.

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

With 86 goals in 162 caps, Lionel Messi isn't nearly as prolific for Argentina as he is at club level – but we reckon that's still a pretty impressive return.

Given that he'll be 39 by the time the 2026 World Cup comes around, this could well be the arguable GOAT's last chance to become a world champion – and imagine if he did it as top scorer, too...

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

No one in the history of international football has scored more goals than Cristiano Ronaldo's – who's been on target 117 times for the country he captains.

Granted, only seven of those have come in World Cups, but the five-time Ballon d'Or recipient, still supremely fit at 37, ought to be in with a shout of winning the Golden Boot this winter – especially if Portugal reach the latter stages of the tournament.

Neymar (Brazil)

As always, the big question with Neymar is can he stay fit? If he does, Brazil's biggest star has a brilliant chance of bettering his previous World Cup best of four goals on home soil in 2014.

The 30-year-old has enjoyed a fine early season for PSG and is ready to spearhead spearhead his country's attack as the Selecao chase their first World Cup triumph since 2002.

Memphis Depay (Netherlands)

Back on the biggest stage after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, the Netherlands will look to Memphis Depay as their man source of goals in Qatar.

There may be doubts over his lack of club football at Barcelona since the arrival of Robert Lewansowski, but Depay netted 17 times in 16 appearances for his country last year and has carried that scintillating form into 2022.

Lautaro Martinez (Argentina)

One of Serie A's leading marksmen with Inter Milan, Lautaro Martinez looks set to go to his first World Cup – having not made the cut in 2018.

The 25-year-old – who's closing in on half a century of international caps – opened the scoring as Argentina beat Euro 2020 champions Italy to win the CONMEBOL-UEFA Finalissima at Wembley August.

Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)

Belgium's all-time top scorer, Romelu Lukaku will want to show the world he still very much knows where the goal is following his disastrous return to Chelsea.

Back on loan at Inter, the 29-year-old has represented the Red Devils at two previous World Cups; he was on target four times in 2018, bagging braces against Panama and Tunisia.

Robert Lewandowski (Poland)

Sharing a group with Argentina, Mexico and Saudi Arabia, Poland look to have a decent chance of progressing to the last 16 – and four games could be all Robert Lewandowski needs to walk away with the Golden Boot.

His country's captain and all-time leading scorer, the 34-year-old has chalked up at least 40 club goals in each of the past seven campaigns – reaching 50 twice.

Alvaro Morata (Spain)

Historically a streaky striker, Alvaro Morata has enjoyed a solid couple of years for Spain – for whom he scored three goals at Euro 2020.

Left out of La Roja's squad four years ago, the Atletico Madrid man will be itching to get his first taste of World Cup football at the age of 30 – and aiming to become the first-ever Spanish Golden Boot winner.