Favourites to win Golden Ball at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

The FIFA World Cup 2022 has now officially begun in Qatar as it becomes the first Middle-Eastern country to hold the tournament in its 90 year history. Being the best nation in the world is a big enough reward on its own, but many individual awards are also up for grabs at the tournament.

Golden Ball is such an award which is given to the top performer of the tournament. To win one is every professional footballer’s dream. What better way to finish the 2022 World Cup by winning the trophy as well as the Golden Ball? 831 players are registered to play in the tournament, but let’s see some of the favourite players who have a chance of winning this award.

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Messi Playing for Argentina

Lionel Messi is again the favourite to win the Golden Ball at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. In the last year’s edition of the World Cup, they were eliminated in the round of 16 by France when they lost 4-3. But, since then Lionel Scaloni’s side have picked up international trophies and boosted their squad with the likes of Martinez in defence and bolstered their attack even more. The bar has been set extremely high with Messi being the captain of the team. Lionel Messi was the best player for Argentina in their Copa America run in 2021 that they won providing four goals and five assists over the course of the tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Cristiano Ronaldo

This might be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last tournament at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. We see the best versions of Ronaldo when him and his team are under pressure. Famous sightings of his performance came with Spain as he bagged a last minute hat-trick to equalise the score at 3-3. He is in the favourites to win the best player of the football world cup 2022 again as his team is stacked with global mega stars such as Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias to help reach Portugal in the later stages of the tournament.
Neymar (Brazil)

Neymar

Neymar has been the go-to technical player for Brazil ever since the nation suffered humiliation defeats in their own country as the hosts of the FIFA World Cup. He has been performing exceptionally well alongside his teammate Messi at Paris Saint-Germain during the course of the season.

Neymar is on the verge of breaking Pele’s all time goal scoring record for Brazil and might win the Golden Ball award if he takes his nation across the finish line winning their sixth world cup. Ending a 20 year drought since they last won it in 2002. It would be a perfect story to write and it can happen at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Bernardo Silva (Portugal)

Bernardo Silva

Bernardo Silva is a very versatile player who can play on the wing as well as a number 10 for his country. He is a very creative, technically gifted player who possesses the dribbling abilities to manoeuvre his way around the opposition’s defence. He was one of the best players performing for Manchester City when they won the title and has an excellent record in this season for his club as well. If he can showcase his talent in the World Cup and take his nation all the way to the end, he is favourites to win the Golden Ball award.
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)

Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne is one of the best midfielders the world has to offer. He picked up an injury at the start of the season for his club, but has been on fiery form ever since. His creative passes and the vision to craft out a perfectly timed ball to his teammates helps his team win the Premier League and was named 2021-22 Premier League Player of the Season. If he plays in this World Cup the way he does at club level, he is sure to astonish and amaze football fans alike as they can go and win the tournament while he can easily win the Golden Ball.
Pedri (Spain)

Pedri

Pedri is the youngest player in the list, at just 19. He is valued at €90 million, making him the most valuable midfielder in the world. Trained at Barcelona’s academy, La Masia, he resembles the golden generation of Spain that won the World Cup in South Africa back in 2010. With his creative passes and the tenacity to drive forward with the ball, Pedri is going to be valuable in Spain’s midfield hoping to unlock tight defences and helping his teammates score unbelievable goals. With such a strong responsibility on his shoulders at the tournament, he has the ability to make Spain win the trophy and get himself the best player of the tournament award along the way.