We have now entered what appears to be the fifth and presumably last chapter of Messi, yet the wizard from Argentina continues to deliver breathtaking displays — almost like it is 2011 and he is once again dominating Europe alongside Pep Guardiola at Barcelona.
Though the standard of competition in Major League Soccer must be factored in when evaluating his remarkable scoring record for Inter Miami, his performances at the World Cup remove any doubt that he remains among the elite.
With eight goals and four assists, he has steered Argentina to a second straight World Cup final and holds a slender lead in the Golden Boot chase, edging out fellow eight-goal scorer Mbappe by virtue of one extra assist.
A triumph on Sunday would see Messi become the first player ever to skipper his country to consecutive World Cup victories.
But Lamine Yamal may have other plans.
The teenage wide man may not have lit up the tournament as he did during Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph — recording just one goal and no assists across seven appearances — yet he has played an integral role within a Spanish unit that has advanced to its first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 2010.
Lamine Yamal put together another outstanding season for Barcelona — registering 24 goals and 18 assists in 45 matches — even though he was sidelined for the last month of the campaign with an injury.
Barcelona claimed the La Liga title but were eliminated in the Champions League quarter-finals, so a World Cup win for Spain may be necessary for him to be crowned the planet’s finest player.
Kane delivered a staggering 2025-26 campaign — the England captain found the net 61 times in 51 outings across all club competitions as Bayern Munich secured both a Bundesliga title and domestic cup.
However, semi-final exits in the Champions League with his club and the World Cup with his national side could prove costly for his individual ambitions.
“I might hit 100 goals this term, but without winning the Champions League or the World Cup, I am probably not taking home the Ballon d’Or,” Kane remarked back in November. “That holds true for any footballer. You need to be claiming those big prizes.”
Kane’s Bayern colleague Olise enjoyed an excellent second year in Bavaria, amassing 22 goals and a further 31 assists over the course of 52 matches.
The 24-year-old translated that form onto the World Cup stage and has provided more assists (five) than any other player at the tournament, though he and his teammates badly underperformed during a 2-0 semi-final loss to Spain.
France attacker Kylian Mbappe has scored eight times this summer after topping the goalscoring charts in both La Liga and the Champions League.
For eight years now, he has been among the most reliable finishers in the global game, but at the age of 27, a Ballon d’Or still eludes him.
Following a season without silverware at Real Madrid and World Cup disappointment, that situation looks unlikely to shift.
Haaland picked up the Premier League Golden Boot for the third occasion in four years, although in terms of trophies he had to accept an FA Cup and Carabao Cup double.
Netting seven goals in Norway’s first World Cup appearance in 28 years will only enhance his legendary standing in his homeland.
Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Dembele claimed Ligue 1 and a second successive Champions League crown, but fitness issues restricted his contributions.
Having said that, a strong World Cup showing — five goals and a pair of assists — has given his candidacy a well-timed lift.
PSG teammate Kvaratskhelia stood out in last season’s Champions League (10 goals and seven assists) but his country, Georgia, failed to reach the World Cup.
Bellingham warrants a mention for hauling England to the World Cup last four, though an injury-disrupted campaign and a shortage of trophies essentially puts him out of contention.
Rice will feature in the top-10 conversation — the midfielder was pivotal for an Arsenal side that won the Premier League and came within a few penalty kicks of becoming champions of Europe.
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