local
Messi has work to catch Mbappé for the Golden Boot. A 3rd Golden Ball is in reach in World Cup final
By Brian Mahoney, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 19, 2026
· 3 min read
Lionel Messi has quite a climb to catch Kylian Mbappé for the Golden Boot.The Argentina superstar has won just about everything in soccer except for the award for being the leading scorer at the World Cup, and he’s now two behind Mbappé after the France striker upped his total to 10 goals in a wi...
Key takeaway He’s already the only player to win the award multiple times since it was first given in 1978, and sparking Argentina's run to a second straight final at age 39 gives him a strong case for another.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio soccer fans will be watching the World Cup final with great interest, particularly as Lionel Messi vies for a record-extending third Golden Ball. While the game is being played in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the impact of Messi's potential win will be felt in San Antonio, where soccer is a rapidly growing sport. The city's diverse population, with a strong Hispanic influence, has created a vibrant soccer community, with many fans closely following the careers of international stars like Messi. A win for Messi would likely spark celebrations in San Antonio's soccer bars and restaurants, and could inspire a new generation of young soccer players in the city. As the final approaches, San Antonio fans will be eager to see if Messi can lead Argentina to victory and claim another prestigious award.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 19, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
Get more The San Antonio stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Lionel Messi has quite a climb to catch Kylian Mbappé for the Golden Boot.The Argentina superstar has won just about everything in soccer except for the award for being the leading scorer at the World Cup, and he’s now two behind Mbappé after the France striker upped his total to 10 goals in a wi...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 19, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Brian Mahoney, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter