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Undav Edges Messi in FIFA Rankings!
30 Jun
Summary
- Deniz Undav surprisingly topped FIFA's attacking rankings.
- Lionel Messi remains the Golden Boot leader with six goals.
- Undav's efficiency from substitute appearances led to his ranking.
Germany's Deniz Undav has surprisingly surpassed Lionel Messi to lead FIFA's official attacking power rankings following the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Messi, the leading Golden Boot contender with six goals in three matches, scored 8.34 out of 10 in FIFA's model. However, Undav secured the top position with a score of 8.36, largely due to his extraordinary efficiency as a substitute.
Undav has appeared in three matches, accumulating just 86 minutes but contributing three goals and two assists. His impressive stats include averaging a goal every 28.7 minutes. This efficiency pushed him ahead of Messi in FIFA's advanced analytics, which evaluate attacking impact, creativity, and defensive contributions. France's Kylian Mbappe, Brazil's Vinicius Junior, and Switzerland's Johan Manzambi also featured in the top five rankings.
Despite Undav's statistical edge, many still consider Messi the favorite for the Golden Ball due to his overall impact, leadership, and match-winning performances. Meanwhile, Undav's efficiency from the bench has made him a significant weapon for Germany. The tournament continues with the round of 32, promising further intensity in the races for both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot awards.
