As the World Cup reaches the business end of its proceedings, the Golden Boot race is narrowing down with fewer players capable of earning the honor of having the most goals in the tournament.
Kylian Mbappé, France's talisman and the second-leading scorer in the 2018 World Cup, currently leads the 2022 event with five goals. He's the odds-on favorite to win the award at -195, and it's hard to see how he doesn't win the honor if France continue to progress at the tournament.
Richarlison, who has three goals thus far for Brazil, is listed at +800. The argument for him is rooted in the fact that Brazil are a big favorite for the tournament, likely offering the Tottenham striker plenty of chances to bag more goals.
After Richarlison is a player by the name of Lionel Messi, who is listed at +1400. Messi also has three goals, but he is about to face a stout Netherlands defense, and Argentina would likely play Brazil after that if they progress.
Olivier Giroud, who plays alongside Mbappé with France and also has three goals, has the next-shortest odds at +2300. He's alongside Gonçalo Ramos, a Portuguese forward who amassed all three of his tournament goals thus far in Portugal's rout over Switzerland.
English striker Harry Kane, who won the Golden Boot in the prior World Cup, is listed at +4100 to defend his crown. He's only posted one goal in the tournament this year, but if England are able to get to the final, perhaps anything is possible.
The World Cup quarterfinals will be played on Friday and Saturday. Brazil squares off with Croatia, and Argentina meet the Netherlands on Friday, while it'll be Morocco vs. Portugal and England vs. France on Saturday.
