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With the WC 2018 less than a week away, the football fraternity is readying itself to witness the greatest show on earth where the best players in the world will showcase their talent while playing for their respective nations.
There is no greater tournament in sport than the football World Cup. After all, it unites the world into watching 32 countries battle for glory. Such is the magnitude of the tournament that it is the dream of every player to win the World Cup at least once in their careers as it puts them into the book of immortals wherein their names are engraved forever.
This year will be no different as some of the best players in the world will give it their all in order to win the trophy by the conclusion of the competition.
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While Argentina may have had to face the heartbreak of losing the final against Germany in the last World Cup, Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball for helping his team reach the ultimate game of the tournament.
In 2010, it was Diego Forlan and in 2006, it was the great Zinedine Zidane as he carried an aging France team to the final of the tournament, where they only lost due to a moment of madness from the then France captain.
So who could win the award of the best player in the greatest competition in the world? Here’s a list covering the possibilities.
#10 Antoine Griezmann
It is only natural for Antoine Griezmann to be on this list. After all, the Frenchman was the winner of the Golden Boot in Euro 2016 and was the man who shouldered the responsibility of taking France to the final.
The former Real Sociedad forward scored 19 goals and gave 9 assists in 32 league appearances for the Rojiblancos and was one of the biggest reasons why they won the Europa League this season, a competition where he scored 6 goals and provided 2 assists in 8 games.
With Karim Benzema being snubbed for the World Cup, Griezmann is France’s leading forward and the responsibility will once again be on his shoulders to justify the tag of favourites on the Blues.
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#9 Kevin De Bruyne
One of the reasons why Manchester City won the league title with such ease was due to the presence of Kevin De Bruyne on the pitch. The Belgian makes it look utterly easy to make plays for his team-mates – and his stats are a testament to just that.
In 37 league matches, he not only provided 16 assists but also scored 8 goals in the process. He had an added four assists in the 8 Champions League matches that he played in.
Given that Belgian are one strong team, a lot would rely on Kevin De Bruyne to unlock their best and ensure a great run for the Red Devils at the grandest stage of them all.
#8 Toni Kroos
While Lionel Messi might have won the Golden Ball in the last World Cup, many argued that it was Toni Kroos who was more deserving than the Argentine. After all, he was the best player of the team that won the World Cup – and perhaps of the whole tournament in general.
His form might have taken a slight hit in the last few months but one can never count out Toni Kroos when he plays for Germany. Like he is for Madrid, Kroos is the fulcrum of Die Mannschaft's system.
For Real Madrid this season, he made 7 assists and scored 5 goals from 27 games in the league while playing in front of the defense, so not bad, eh?
While the German team might not have an individual superstar, a lot relies on Kroos’ shoulders as they aspire to defend their title.
#7 David Silva
The thing is, Kevin De Bruyne might take most of the plaudits for his more apparent brilliance, but David Silva is the one that comes with the subtle wizardry to unlock the full potential of the Belgian.
With 11 assists and 9 goals from 30 league matches, the Spaniard helped Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City win its first Premier League title under the Catalan. It happened at a time when Silva had to battle the problems of his personal life as his baby was born prematurely and he had to be in Spain with his family for some part of the season.
And even then, when he was on the football pitch, he was a level above anyone on it in most cases.
In Spain’s team, he has to take up the mantle in the declination of Andres Iniesta – and he does have what it takes to do that.
#6 Sergio Ramos
The last time a central defender came close to winning the Golden Ball was in 2006 when Fabio Cannavaro had an astonishing campaign with Italy. He was, however, beaten by the maestro Zinedine Zidane.
If there is a defender that can actually win the Golden Ball, it has to be Sergio Ramos. The Spain and Real Madrid captain is a serial winner who not only brings up his A-game against best sides but also scores important goals for his team.
The former Sevilla star was rock-solid for Madrid in the final games of the season as his ensured that they didn’t let the Champions League title slip away from their hands.
If Spain are to win the World Cup for the second time in 8 years, Sergio Ramos will have to put up his best performances – much like what he does in the biggest of games.
#5 Luka Modric
Oh, Luka Modric. What can you say about this man? The Croat is a genius with a level of intellect that perhaps challenges Professor X/Charles Xavier of X-Men. The former Tottenham Hotspur star has been the enabler for Madrid since his arrival triggered the Blancos to win four Champions League titles in five years.
And the 32-year-old midfielder was a key member of the team in each of their conquests. In 26 games in the league this season, he provided 6 assists and scored a goal.
His stats might not have much meat in it, but his job isn’t to be at the end of the moves anyway – he is the one creating them like weaving a tapestry with the simplest of threads.
Croatia have a great midfield consisting of the likes of Mateo Kovacic and Ivan Rakitic – and for them to function as a proper unit, Modric will have to be at his finest.
#4 Neymar
When you speak of statistical beasts, Neymar is one of them. Ever since his €222 million move to Paris Saint-Germain, the former Barcelona man has found it far too easy in the French League.
I mean, just look at his numbers. In 20 league games, he scored 19 goals and provided 13 assists while also scoring 6 goals and making 3 assists from 7 Champions League games.
Football was just too easy for the Brazilian this season, wasn’t it? And if he carries on this form at the World Cup, not only does he win the Golden Ball but also lifts the World Cup.
#3 Mohamed Salah
It took Egypt 28 years to reach the World Cup. The last time they qualified for the World Cup was in 1990 and I wasn’t even born. A lot of things have changed in the last 28 years, a list of which alone would suffice for a slideshow like this.
The dream was made a reality when Mohamed Salah scored from the spot in the 90th minute against Congo to lift Egypt into the WC 2018. Salah is all their hopes and dreams now – and given how good a season he had with Liverpool, it is only fair for the expectations to be on his shoulders.
He ended the season with 44 goals in all competitions this season – equal to Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally and just one less than Lionel Messi – and goes to the World Cup with vehement scoring form.
Not much is being expected from Egypt but with Salah in the team, they can spring a surprise or two.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo
This list would be incomplete without Cristiano Ronaldo, wouldn’t it? After all, there is a good chance that this is going to be his last World Cup as he will be 37 by the time the World Cup in Qatar comes up.
Even now, at the age of 33, Cristiano Ronaldo is, by far, the best box-player in the world. His goals carried Real Madrid to the final of the Champions League as he was at his optimum best in the biggest club competition in the world.
He ended the season with 44 goals and only just missed out on equalling Messi’s tally of 45. Against Algeria in a friendly, the Portugal captain might not have been on the scoresheet but was the team’s playmaker and ran riot against the African side.
If he does that and also scores, Portugal could surprise a lot of people here – like they did in the Euro.
#1 Lionel Messi
And who else can be on the top of this list apart from Lionel Messi? While he might not be holding the Ballon d’Or award right now, there is simply no denying that the Argentine has more ability to inflict damage on the opponents than any other player in the world.
Despite Argentina not being as strong as France, Germany or Brazil, he carried them to three finals in a row. To put it simply, in the last three international tournaments that Messi played in, his team reached the final.
It could be a fourth time this World Cup as the man who scored 45 goals last season could once again be the beacon on which Argentina carry themselves. And given that that much was enough to award him with the Golden Ball last time around, it could very well be the case this time around as well.
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