World Cup 2022: Who will win the Golden Boot and Golden Ball?

We’re witnessing the beginning of the end for the two greatest players of our generation, but could the World Cup produce one final hurrah for Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?

Both superstars feature high up in the World Cup’s Golden Boot betting, but neither Messi or Ronaldo top the market to score the most goals in Qatar after drifting past the peak of their powers in recent years.

Messi was written off not that long ago, his best days were apparently behind him and he was reportedly on a downward spiral. But, ahead of what could be his final World Cup, La Pulga Atomica is back. He has recorded 26 goals and assists already this season for PSG – and Argentina look to have a real shot at glory.

This just feels like Messi’s year. He’s turning on the style in France week-in and week-out, and will be captaining an Argentina side that has genuine quality. If he can continue to score and assist for fun - he’s done it his whole career, so why would he stop now! - we’re in for a treat.

Ronaldo isn’t someone that you want to write off. It’s not been his season for Manchester United, but he remains Portugal’s talisman and possesses an unmatched drive to write himself into the history books. One last hurrah from CR7? Maybe.

Harry Kane: will look to rack up goals in the group stages

Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé are football’s younger models - two stars with thousands of eyes fixated on them in the Middle East. While international stalwarts Karim Benzema and Neymar will also be backing themselves to get the job done for their respective nations. 

Kane heads to Qatar with a huge reputation. His form for Tottenham Hotspur is going under the radar a little bit – he’s got 12 goals in 15 Premier League games – because of Erling Haaland’s crazy start. And, as England’s leader of the line and penalty-taker, it’s no surprise to see him high up the Golden Boot list.

Mbappé goes into his second World Cup as the biggest attacking threat in a French side that is absolutely stacked. His pace and ability to bamboozle defenders sets him apart from others, and you get the feeling that he could grab a few goals in the group stages before the real business starts.

The World Cup version of Neymar is a different beast. His record for club and country over the years is pretty unparalleled, and he hasn’t gone more than four games without netting at any point this calendar year. 15 goals in 19 games this season is a very tidy return – and he’s scored five in five for Brazil in 2022.

Neymar: Brazilian sensation could be a leading player in the Golden Boot race

It appears relatively easy to create a small shortlist for the Golden Boot, as I’ve done above, but the Golden Ball is harder to call with anyone capable of stepping up. Trends players will note that the gold, silver and bronze medals since 2010 have all gone the way of attackers or midfielders, but it could just as easily go to a towering centre back or cat-like goalkeeper.

Plenty of punters will look the way of playmakers like Kevin De Bruyne, who is heading up one final throw of the dice for Belgium’s ‘Golden Generation’. I wouldn’t put it past him, but it’s not a market that I’m too keen to play in.

Golden Boot Predictions

Lionel Messi to win the World Cup Golden Boot @ 13
Neymar to win the World Cup Golden Boot @ 17