SBOTOP Golden Boot Glory: Who’s Leading the Scoring Charts at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, hosted for the first time in the United States, has been nothing short of a spectacular footballing festival. With 32 of the world’s top clubs from all six confederations competing in a World Cup-style format, fans across the globe have been treated to a thrilling blend of flair, drama, and goals. At the heart of the action lies one of the tournament’s most coveted prizes—the Golden Boot. As the goals pour in from group stages to the knockout rounds, a fascinating battle is brewing among elite strikers for top scorer honors.

This year’s Club World Cup is not only historic in scope but also in the quality and diversity of its goal scorers. From established European stars to emerging talents from Africa, Asia, and the Americas, the race for the Golden Boot showcases the global nature of the beautiful game. Let’s take a deep dive into the leading contenders, the surprise packages, and the tactical systems that are fueling this goal-scoring frenzy.

Erling Haaland – Manchester City (6 Goals)

No discussion of modern goal-scoring prowess can begin without mentioning Erling Haaland. The Norwegian giant continues to dominate on the biggest stages, and the 2025 Club World Cup is no exception. With six goals in four matches, Haaland has led Manchester City’s charge into the semifinals with brutal efficiency.

Pep Guardiola has adapted City’s usual high-possession style to accommodate the quick transitions needed in a high-stakes tournament, and Haaland has thrived. His brace against Palmeiras in the quarterfinals—featuring a towering header and a rocket of a left-footed strike—was a masterclass in center-forward play. At 24, Haaland is not just chasing titles; he’s chasing legacy, and a Golden Boot at a global club tournament would add yet another feather to his already illustrious cap.

Vinícius Júnior – Real Madrid (5 Goals)

If Haaland’s game is about power and positioning, Vinícius Júnior brings the samba flair. The Real Madrid winger has dazzled spectators with his dribbling, pace, and lethal finishing. With five goals and three assists, Vinícius has been Real Madrid’s heartbeat in attack, especially in their 4-2 thriller against Al Ahly in the group stage.

What makes Vinícius special in this tournament is his ability to rise in clutch moments. His solo effort against Tigres UANL, weaving past three defenders before chipping the goalkeeper, is already being touted as one of the goals of the tournament. With Real Madrid eyeing their sixth Club World Cup title, Vinícius is on track to possibly finish with both team and individual glory.

Julián Álvarez – River Plate (5 Goals)

One of the surprise narratives of the tournament has been the resurgence of Julián Álvarez with River Plate. Following a return from Manchester City on a season-long loan, the Argentine forward has rediscovered his best form in his homeland. His five goals in the tournament—two of them coming in a dramatic 3-3 draw against Ulsan Hyundai—have been vital in propelling River Plate into the quarterfinals.

Álvarez plays with a tenacity that blends technical finesse with a predatory instinct. Marcelo Gallardo’s counter-pressing tactics have given him plenty of chances to exploit high lines, and he’s taken them with ruthless precision. If River makes it deep into the final four, Álvarez could be a real threat for the Golden Boot.

Karim Adeyemi – Borussia Dortmund (4 Goals)

Among the dark horses, Karim Adeyemi has emerged as a revelation. Dortmund’s fast-paced transitional game has found its perfect executioner in the German-Nigerian striker. Adeyemi scored a stunning hat-trick in the group stage clash against Seattle Sounders and added another in the last-16 round against Club León.

What makes Adeyemi’s run so fascinating is his tactical intelligence. Unlike traditional poachers, he thrives in chaos—finding space in broken plays, outpacing defenders with explosive bursts, and finishing with cool-headed composure. With Dortmund set to face Manchester City in the semifinal, a head-to-head duel with Haaland could be a defining chapter of this Golden Boot race.

Salem Al-Dawsari – Al Hilal (4 Goals)

Asian football is often overshadowed in global tournaments, but Salem Al-Dawsari is changing that narrative. The Saudi Arabian winger has been phenomenal for Al Hilal, scoring four times in the competition so far, including a memorable brace against Auckland City in the opening fixture.

His performances have been a reminder of his World Cup heroics in Qatar 2022. Technically gifted and tactically astute, Al-Dawsari’s leadership and goal-scoring touch have helped Al Hilal reach the quarterfinals—where they narrowly lost to Real Madrid. Though the road to the final is now closed for him, his Golden Boot challenge remains alive if other contenders falter in the later rounds.

Lautaro Martínez – Inter Milan (3 Goals)

Lautaro Martínez has continued his fine scoring form for Inter Milan, notching three goals in the group stage to help the Nerazzurri top their pool. While Inter were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Flamengo in a heart-breaking penalty shootout, Lautaro’s performances have left a mark.

His hold-up play, intelligent runs, and eye for goal made him the focal point of Simone Inzaghi’s well-structured attack. If not for the early exit, Lautaro might have been in the mix for the top spot. Nevertheless, his three goals keep him in the conversation should no one else break out in the semifinals.

Pedro – Flamengo (3 Goals)

Pedro, the Brazilian striker for Flamengo, continues to make headlines with his predatory instincts in the box. The 28-year-old scored a hat-trick in Flamengo’s 3-1 win over Auckland City, making a strong statement early in the tournament. Though he hasn’t added to his tally since, Flamengo’s progression into the semifinals offers him the chance to leap back into the spotlight.

Under Tite’s guidance, Flamengo has combined South American flair with tactical discipline, giving Pedro ample service through Gerson and Everton Ribeiro. With a possible final looming, Pedro remains an outside bet for the Golden Boot.

Karim Benzema – Al Ittihad (3 Goals)

Veteran French striker Karim Benzema may no longer be playing in Europe, but his class is unmistakable. Representing Al Ittihad, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner has netted three times in as many games, including a thunderous free-kick that sealed victory over Mamelodi Sundowns.

While Al Ittihad exited in the Round of 16, Benzema’s impact was immense. His goals were not just about quantity, but about quality and leadership. Even in his twilight years, Benzema’s instinct and technique continue to shine on the world stage.

Breakout Stars and Surprise Contenders

Beyond the marquee names, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has also unearthed several breakout talents who could still emerge as Golden Boot contenders if their teams go deep into the tournament:

Adama Traoré (Mamelodi Sundowns) – The Malian winger scored twice in the group stage and dazzled with his dribbling and power. Though his side was eliminated early, Traoré’s stock has risen considerably.
Mohammed Kudus (Al Ahly) – The Ghanaian attacking midfielder scored three times in the group stage and showed incredible versatility and skill.
Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps) – One of the few North American players to make a scoring impact, White bagged two goals in the group stage, becoming a fan favorite for his work ethic and positioning.