The World Cup 2018 in Russia is upon us, and much talking points, debates and issues have sprung as to who can make an impression in the tournament and most significantly, who will come out on top when the final on July 15th comes around.
While much intrigue will be on who has the capabilities to claim the prestigious trophy, what about the personal honor of finishing top scorer of a World Cup, we already know the famous players who have had the privilege of such acclaim – great players like Miroslav Klose and the Brazilian Ronaldo, but which player will mark their name in the history books this summer?
Here are the list of top contenders hoping to claim the golden boot trophy:
Lionel Messi, (Argentina)
One of the greatest players ever to grace the game – Lionel Messi. This summers tournament will place Messi once again in the spotlight, with the weight of the world on his shoulders – not just Argentina – but the whole world will want to see whether Messi can grace a major international tournament just like his counterpart Diego Maradona once did. Coach Jorge Sampaoli earlier in the year stated that “Lionel Messi has seen the world cup become ‘a revolver put to his head’ with his nation failing a many occasions such as the last World Cup finishing runners up after Mario Gotze’s late winner. Messi controversially won the golden ball four years ago but this summer he’ll be hoping to win that, the golden boot and more importantly the prestigious World Cup trophy.
Cristiano Ronaldo, (Portugal)
Cristiano Ronaldo may not have as much pressure on his shoulders as Lionel Messi but don’t allow him to hear you say that. Ronaldo will want to bow out of probably his last major international tournament on a high as his nation did two years at Euro 2016 in France. However, he was injured in that game and didn’t take part as Eder handed Portugal that all important strike, how Ronaldo would have loved to notch that kinda goal on such a special night.
This summer in Russia is his chance to make his mark. A huge favorite to take the Golden boot trophy too.
Antoine Griezmann, (France)
Despite France’s sorry defeat to Portugal on their own turf, Antoine Griezmann still had a tournament to remember finishing Euro 2016 with 6 goals. With all the uncertainty surrounding his future at Atletico Madrid, it now certainly looks like he will be staying at the Wanda Metropolitano. Now that his future is sorted, we are in for another brilliant tournament from the French striker.
It’s about time the World sees how good Antoine Griezmann really is.
Neymar (Brazil)
If there is one player in the same pressure on his shoulders as Messi, it sure is Brazil’s own golden boy Neymar. The PSG star chose the French capital because he believed he could become the worlds best over there rather than with Lionel Messi. Last season was a good one, though it could have been better for Neymar if he hadn’t been absent for much of the season, but now his beloved Brazil need him now more than ever before, a chance to right their wrongs after disaster of four years ago at the hands of eventual champions Germany. Neymar was absent through injury that night, but few could only imagine what could have been if he had played, so now is the time to show up when it matters.
There is no doubting his world class abilities. After Lionel Messi and CR7, he is considered the best around, and this summer is the time to show it.
Luis Suarez, (Uruguay)
Whenever people debate who are the best strikers in the world, everyone tends to just about forget Luis Suarez or are hesitant in placing him in that category. My question is: Why? Luis Suarez is world class – when he isn’t causing trouble – and this maybe the opportunity for him to make his mark in history and lead Uruguay to unexpected glory, with the firepower they have at their disposal including Edinson Cavani, you can’t rule out a dark horse making their mark.
Edinson Cavani, (Uruguay)
The fact that Uruguay boast two of the best strikers on the planet means they cannot be written off in Russia, we’ve mentioned the enigma, Luis Suarez but we can’t forget about Edinson Cavani who was a revelation in front of goal for PSG last season, now can he carry on that form into Russia – where it matters most. My problem with Cavani is, when you don’t need him to turn up he does but, when you desperately need him he doesn’t deliver – PSG’s struggles in the Champions League are an example.
This summer is Cavani’s chance to prove his doubters wrong – well, I mean myself.
Robert Lewandowski, (Poland)
No doubting Robert Lewandowski’s scoring prowess for both club and country, but very few of them come in major tournaments. The Bayern Munich striker notched a brace in their warm-up friendly against Lithuania taking his goal tally before the tournament to four goals in three games, but the question is whether he can carry it in to the World Cup where he struggles to make a name for himself.
Poland rely hugely on Lewandowski despite their influx of fairly talented players in midfield and attack, but can he overcome that pressure this summer? Though, he is a definite contender for the Golden boot award.
Harry Kane, (England)
Much of England’s potential success in this summers tournament – however you want to measure it – depends upon whether Harry Kane can replicate his Tottenham form unto the world stage. Kane has enjoyed another goal glut season for the North London club and Gareth Southgate and co will be hoping Kane can finally prove he has what it takes to cut it amongst the World’s elite strikers – how about winning the Golden boot award for a shot?
You wouldn’t bet against Harry Kane. No pressure.
Timo Werner, (Germany)
RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner will be heading into Russia an unknown quantity in comparison to the other names on this list, but that doesn’t mean he won’t shine on probably the most important stage of his career so far leading the line for the World champions Germany. Mario Gomez and Miroslav Klose proved brilliant forwards leading the line over the years of Joachim Low’s men but now its time to make room for a potential shining light in Timo Werner. Following in their boots will prove difficult but on the evidence at club level, Werner will have no problems at all.
An excellent watch in the Bundesliga for the past two seasons with 21 goals in each campaign – hence Leipzig’s sudden emergence as a top 6 side. Also winning the Golden boot in the 2017 Confederations Cup will have mightily impressed his fans, but now the World Cup will be a great opportunity to put his name on the map. Providing he clicks, he will be in and around the top goalscorers list this summer.
Kylian Mbappe (France)
Age is just a number. Kylian Mbappe maybe the youngest on this list, but that doesn’t mean he won’t cut it amongst the elite strikers on this list. What a player. Simply outstanding to watch. There is no doubting this boys talents, and now is our chance to finally see what he can do when it matters most. If France are to have any chance of finally overcoming their demons on the World stage since 1998, Kylian Mbappe like Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba will be a central figure.
There is simply no fear in Mbappe when he takes on players, a player demonstrating skills, technical abilities and goal scoring powers beyond his tender years. This boy has a very very bright future and this summer is only just the start. Frightening.
Gabriel Jesus, (Brazil)
What a journey Gabriel Jesus has been on, 5 years ago he probably would not have thought he’d be the main man for one of the best coaches in the world in Pep Guardiola, helping his team capturing the Premier League title at a canter, getting ahead of one of the biggest names in the game in Sergio Aguero and leading the line for his country in the famous no.9 shirt worn famously by a number of Brazil heroes such as Ronaldo who Jesus has drawn much comparisons to.
This will be Jesus’ first major tournament for Brazil, and with players such as Coutinho, Willian, Neymar and co. in and around him, he has every chance of leading his country to World Cup glory, even winning the Golden boot in the process. Who knows what this summer holds for Gabriel Jesus.
Mo Salah, (Egypt)
When Mo Salah signed on the dotted line for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool last summer, little did he know he would be the first African footballer to finish top scorer in the Premier League. An absolutely astonishing season Mo Salah has had, equaling the kind of scoring feats that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo would be proud of each season. If he can win the golden boot in the Premier League, who’s to say he can’t achieve the same at the World Cup? The shoulder injury picked up against Real Madrid looks to have healed and now Salah can focus on making an impression on the grandest stage of them all.
Romelu Lukaku, (Belgium)
Romelu Lukaku may be the last on this list, but he is certainly not the least. A fantastic first season at Manchester United has now given the big Belgian an incentive to even make his mark on the world stage. Already his countries all time goal-scorer at the age of 25 is an amazing feat. Lukaku can take great pride in his leading his nation out in Russia and probably living up to their ‘Dark Horses’ tag. Can Lukaku lead Belgium to an unlikely success? One things for certain, his name will definitely appear as one of the main goalscorers throughout the tournament, you can risk your mortgage on that.
Diego Costa, (Spain)
Was a bit hesitant placing Diego Costa on this list of contenders simply for the fact that we really don’t know if Spain will start their campaign with a recognized striker or whether new coach Fernando Hierro will go for broke and start with a midfielder as the leading front man. Whatever Hierro chooses, Spain will be lethal. Considering he goes with Diego Costa, you cannot rule out the Atletico Madrid target man making a massive impact in Russia.
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