5. Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe is only 19 years old but he tends to play like he is 29 years old. The immense talent of his was already predicted during his time with French Ligue 1 club AS Monaco two years ago. And coming into the World Cup after securing his second Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint Germain, he was already touted as one of the players to shine in the World Cup. Already a World Cup semi-finalist in an already budding career, now he is set to become just the third teenager ever to feature in a World Cup final and the first in 36 years when France take on Croatia in the final.
The 19-year-old player has played a crucial role in France’s run to the final of this World Cup, establishing himself to the world as the next superstar of world football with some exciting displays. Scoring three goals in the tournament so far, he was the best player on the pitch during their dismantling of Argentina. The mazy fast runs into the opposition or the variety of skill set on show, Mbappe showed the world that he is there to be the next big star
4. Harry Kane
Harry Kane will surely come home empty-handed from the World Cup, but it is very likely that he will come home with the golden boot as the tournament’s top scorer. It meant heartbreak for England, but this World Cup became the stage for Harry Kane to finally stamp his foot on the path to becoming the world-class star that he is. He has already conquered the Premier League with successive golden boots in two previous seasons, and now he is showing on the biggest stage of them all that he is a force to be reckoned with.
With six goals for England during the whole tournament, he has become the go-to player for England whenever they needed a goal. A perfect poacher, Harry Kane seems to be on the right place at the right time when appearing to get the ball. And his goals during their win against Tunisia showed how good of a goal getter he can be. While half of his total goals scored were from the penalty kicks, it is also worth mentioning that his penalty is arguably the deadliest penalty in the world. Only time will tell how much of a potential World Class level player he is going to become, and right now he is one of the best strikers of the world.
3. N’golo Kante
The World Cup final is uncharted territory for the entire players of the finalist’s France and Croatia. And for N’golo Kante, it will be almost a very different surrounding as to the one he is familiar with, the Premier League. Probably, he won’t be so much fazed by it because he has no obvious weaknesses and his strengths include astonishing speed and incredible stamina. There is no doubt in the fact that Kante has been France’s most influential player at the World Cup, but he remains easily overlooked, particularly when his teammates generate more publicity.
The midfielder has been unstoppable during the whole tournament. He has been everywhere on the pitch running, tackling or intercepting a pass from an opponent. Kante might be one of the smallest players on the pitch (5 feet 6 inches), but he has always raised his game against all big players. He has not scored a single goal in the tournament but his all round game is clearly the best in the world. Kante has recovered the ball more times than any other player in his team (52) and outpassed his collegues (308 passes), as well as covering more distance than anybody. Without Kante France would not surely have reached the World Cup final. And if France go on to win the World Cup, he must be the golden ball winner for France.
2. Eden Hazard
There were multiple moments of brilliance by Eden hazard during the whole tournament in Russia. The surging runs against the Brazilian defense or powerful dribble with the ball against the French defender Benjamin Pavard. He was, to put it simply, superb during the whole tournament. Taking on defenders with ease and going inside to shoot or assist, the Belgian captain has been doing it all in this World Cup. During their semi-final defeat against France, he was the only Belgian player who looked likely to threaten the French defence with his every touch. He surely is the perfect heir to the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly, and finally he had the biggest stage in the world to show it.
Although he scored only two goals the whole tournament so far, he also contributed another two Belgium goals with his assists. In the match against Brazil, Eden Hazard completed all ten of his take ons, the highest number with a 100% success rate since 1966. Moreover, he followed a tactical plan by the manager to a brilliant effect. He devastated all the full-backs that he played against. Hazard is probably the natural heir to Ronaldo at Real Madrid. Nonetheless. Eden Hazard is a brilliantly skillful, powerful and effective footballer. It is simple as that.
1. Luka Modric
Luka Modric is up there with the very best of all time. The brilliant fleet-footed midfielder is surely taking the golden ball home. Right from the first match till the semi-final against England, he has been ever present in the Croatian midfield. Running forward to score or assist a goal or coming back to help his defenders, he has done it all during the whole tournament. Modric was instrumental in all of the matches in which he played in this World Cup. The ability to start dribbling towards the opposition goal with so much ease makes him a treat to watch. And now he is leading his team to their first ever World Cup final.
He has played all six of Croatia’s World Cup games leading to the final. He has covered the most distance by any player in this World Cup with 63 km. That is a hard-working ethic most players in the world lack. With 10 attempts on goal and two goals scored from midfield, he already has three man of the match award in a total of six matches. He completed 368 out of 443 passes and recovered 30 balls for his team. This is a sign of a potential World Cup winner. A classic player nobody hates. He is the best player of the tournament. He is the golden ball winner.
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title: “World Cup 2018 Top 5 Contenders For The Golden Ball” ShowToc: true date: “2023-01-21” author: “Nancy Jackson”
Some may have revived their career while some have announced their arrival on the grandest stage of them all. But some of them shone better than the rest. Those few might just be the best player of the World Cup.
So, without further delay, these are my top 5 picks for the Golden Ball winner.
#5 Eden Hazard
At number 5, we have the Belgian forward Eden Hazard.
He has done what was expected from him. He has scored a couple of goals and assists. But that alone doesn’t justify the reason for him to be in this list.
He has kept the defenders busy whenever the ball has been passed on to him. He has also given out chances to his teammates to go up in attack whenever he was given the ball as the defenders were more likely to target him.
Hazard had 5 shots on target among the 15 he had taken so far. Adding on, he has played 428 minutes and gave out 174 successful passes. He has also covered a total of 28.97 mile on foot.
#4 Kylian Mbappe
The French prodigy Kylian Mbappe is fourth on the list.
Mbappe has justified his name as one for the future in this tournament. He has dazzled us with his sprints at lightning speed and the ability to trouble opposing defense.
He also became France’s youngest goal scorer when he scored the decider against Peru. He was also seen leading the offensive charge several times this World Cup – most notably against Argentina and Belgium – even though he didn’t score against Belgium.
Mbappe has taken 6 shots thus far, among which 5 were on target and 3 had hit the back of the net. He has also given out 110 passes and covered a total distance of 26.84 mile
#3 Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne has had an astounding season. Although the latter part of the season was overtaken by a particular Egyptian, he had a wonderful season nevertheless. Usually attacking midfielders win the Golden Ball, so if we take that in count, he’s in a good position to win it perhaps. Although Belgium leaving at the semis had damaged his chances to win it, he still has another match to prove himself.
He has taken 10 shots so far among which 3 were on target and scored a goal as well. He has completed 217 passes and has 1 assist to his name. He has also covered 33.54 mile on foot.
#2 Antoine Griezmann
On the 2nd spot is Antoine Griezmann.
He has been spectacular for France so far. He has contributions everywhere, literally everywhere! Griezmann has remained crucial to the French attacking set-up. His versatility and industriousness has proven that his country comes first for him, while putting aside his personal ambitions on various occasions. He has also led them in crucial moments.
The Frenchman has taken 19 shots among which 9 were on target and 3 were scored. He has also completed 171 passes and has assisted 2 times.
He has been brilliant from set-pieces. Adding to it, he is the only forward in the tournament to have more than 20 recoveries leaving behind the likes of Umtiti, who’s a defender.
#1 Luka Modric
At the first spot, we have Luka Modric.
Very few people would have predicted Modric to be in this spot at the start of the World Cup. We all know Modric is a good player and probably one of the best in his position.
But could anyone truly have predicted him to have such a great World Cup? Modric is a creative genius, leader of men and all-round great player. Although the Croatians have played more as a group rather than depending on an individual, it’s his hard work and dedication that has seen them dominating in every game they have played.
His stats reflect very little of how much impact he has on the game. He has taken 10 shots so far, 4 of them were on target and 2 of them found the back of the net. He has also played for a staggering 604 minutes so far and covered 39.17 miles on ground. He has completed 368 passes and has an assist to his name.
It’s safe to say that if Croatia wins the final, Modric might just win the Golden Ball.
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