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Mbappé becomes first two-time Golden Boot winner after Messi is blanked in the World Cup final
Summary by The Odessa Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by BRIAN MAHONEY, Associated Press , Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)
· July 19, 2026
· 1 min read
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Kylian Mbappé is now the owner of World Cup Golden Boots. The French striker became the first player to finish as the leading scorer at multiple World Cups, winning his second Golden Boot award when Lionel Messi was blanked in Argentina’s 1-0 loss to Spain on Sunday i...
Key takeaway The French striker became the first player to finish as the leading scorer at multiple World Cups, winning his second Golden Boot award when Lionel Messi was blanked in Argentina’s 1-0 loss to Spain on Sunday in the final.
Why this matters in The Odessa
The World Cup has captivated audiences in Odessa, with many gathering at local sports bars and restaurants to watch the matches. As Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé compete for the Golden Boot, fans in the Permian Basin are eagerly following their progress. The intense rivalry between these two soccer superstars is generating a lot of excitement, with some locals even organizing watch parties and betting pools to add to the suspense. For soccer enthusiasts in Odessa, the prospect of Messi winning a third Golden Ball is a major draw, and many are rooting for the Argentina superstar to catch up with Mbappé. As the World Cup final approaches, local businesses are expecting a surge in customers eager to watch the big game, and the city's soccer community is buzzing with anticipation.
About this story
Original reporting by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . The Odessa 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 Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 19, 2026 ·
Source: Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Kylian Mbappé is now the owner of World Cup Golden Boots. The French striker became the first player to finish as the leading scorer at multiple World Cups, winning his second Golden Boot award when Lionel Messi was blanked in Argentina’s 1-0 loss to Spain on Sunday i...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 19, 2026 by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by BRIAN MAHONEY, Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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