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Our Writers Pick: World Cup Golden Ball Winner
The Golden Ball award is handed to the best player at the World Cup finals that year. A shortlist is drawn up by a FIFA technical committee before the media vote for the eventual winner.
It’s an honour that has been given to some legendary figures of the game since its inception in 1982. Diego Maradona, Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Zinedine Zidane have all lifted the trophy after a World Cup campaign in the last 40 years.
Luka Modric was the surprise winner in 2018 but who will win the award in Qatar? Our writers have made their picks for the 2022 Golden Ball Award.
Our Writers Pick:
- World Cup Winner
- World Cup Golden Boot Winner
- World Cup Semi-Finalists
- Best Value World Cup Team
- Worst Value World Cup Team
Brazil Star to Samba to Success
If Brazil are to samba their way to World Cup glory in Qatar, their forward line will attract the most plaudits. Of course, Neymar commands the lion’s share of attention in a Brazil squad littered with world-class talent. And yet, his understudy, Vinicius Jr possesses the tools to nudge A Seleção into the winner’s enclosure.
Vinicius Jr ranked eighth in the Ballon d’Or after 22 goals and 20 assists. It’s an imposing signal of the 22-year-old’s trajectory in Real Madrid white. Just like a Champions League campaign where he registered four goals and six assists to claim European silverware alongside a La Liga title in 2022. A statement year for a player with the pace, trickery, eye for goal, and expanding tactical intelligence to usher him into the conversation of the world’s best in years to come.
Whether the young Brazilian will use Qatar as his stage to showcase his rapidly developing skill set is yet to be seen, though the capabilities to do so are undoubtedly in abundance.
- Selection: Vinicius Jr
- Best Odds: 21.00 (Skybet)
- Stakes: 2.5/10
Back a Runner-Up to Lift Golden Ball
The Golden Ball will wing its way home with the World Cup’s Player of the Tournament. It is likely that that player will not also have a winner’s medal around his neck.
Luka Modric is the current holder. A member of the Croatian team that was defeated at the Luzhniki Stadium in 2018. Romario was the last member of a triumphant team to also pick up the award. Way back in 1994.
So given my outright selection, I will be overlooking Messi who picked up the accolade in 2014. Five of the last six winners have come from the team that has finished as runners-up.
Therefore I am selecting one of his club teammates. Neymar will be at the peak of his powers entering the tournament as a 30-year-old. With 75 goals for Brazil, he needs just three more to overtake the legendary Pele as the all-time top scorer for the national side. His form going to Qatar could hardly be any better. Contributing 20 direct goal involvements for PSG in 15 appearances.
- Selection: Neymar
- Best Odds: 13.00 (Sky Bet)
- Stakes: 3/10
Ronaldo to Star in Last Dance
When looking at the history of this award, it is one that usually is awarded to someone in possession of a runners-up medal. With this being the case in three of the last four tournaments, it can be considered something of a consolation prize.
However, it still signifies a decent showing when it matters most and if I am tipping Brazil to win the trophy, I have a feeling that they could meet Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the final on December 18th.
This means agony as far as the Manchester United icon is concerned and although he will do his very best to drag Portugal to a first-ever World Cup win, he will have to make do with personal success instead.
- Selection: Cristiano Ronaldo
- Best Odds: 41.00 (Unibet)
- Stakes: 2/10
Neymar to Beat PSG Teammates to Crown
Neymar has always been a consistent performer for Brazil since the 2014 World Cup. However, the major problem has been injuries and the lack of a strong support cast.
However, this year, the former Barcelona man has a rich support cast. Neymar has also been fantastic with PSG this season, registering 12 goals and nine assists across all competitions.
One sure thing is that he would take that form to Qatar. There is no doubt that he would be the lynchpin for the Selecao, and he would look to carry out his duty to the best of his ability.
- Selection: Neymar
- Best Odds: 13.00 (Sky Bet)
- Stakes: 8/10
Second Award for Argentina Star
If Argentina win the tournament, it seems inconceivable that anyone other than Messi will win the player of the tournament. Messi is widely considered to be the best player to ever play the game. Imitating Maradona and guiding his country to glory here would be welcomed by almost all.
The Argentine has five goals and seven assists in Ligue 1 this season. He finally looks settled in France, and this will only help his cause heading into Qatar.
He was given the player of the tournament when Argentina finished as runners-up in 2014. If my tournament winner pick comes to fruition, Messi is the natural pick as the tournament’s best player.
- Selection: Lionel Messi
- Best Odds: 14.00 (Unibet)
- Stakes: 5/10
Barcelona Youngster Great Value to Earn Individual Honour
The Golden Ball award has at times just been an extension of the Golden Boot. Before the turn of the millennium, seven of the 15 players to receive either the Golden, Silver or Bronze Ball awards were also in the top three goalscorers in that tournament.
Since then, things have opened up a fair bit. Five of the 15 players since then were amongst the top scorers. We’ve had more goalkeepers, defenders and especially midfielders win the award in the last few decades. That includes the 2018 Golden Ball winner, Luka Modric.
That affects my thinking. 10/12 total winners have played in the final so I’m going with a player who could well be there too. Each of the last four winners of the World Cup made it at least as far as the semi-finals of the European Championships in the year or two before that. With that in mind, I like Spain and one player who stands out for La Roja is Pedri. He’s a midfielder who rises to the biggest matches and looks set for a breakout role this winter. He’s way out at 67.00 to lift this illustrious award which I think represents value.
- Selection: Pedri
- Best Odds: 67.00
- Stakes: 0.5/10
“Unpopular” Star Provides Plenty of Value
Given I’ve backed Brazil to lift the prestigious World Cup trophy then backing a player from the winning nation seems a sensible way to go about things.
Neymar is the obvious pick but there are plenty of reasons why. The PSG forward isn’t the most popular of players within the footballing world. However, his quality, especially for the national team is extraordinary.
Despite being just 30 years of age, Neymar has already recorded 121 appearances for his country scoring an incredible 75 goals. If Brazil were to win the final game on the 18th of December at the Lusail Stadium then I’d expect the talented forward to have had an impressive campaign. At a price of 15.00, I’m happy to back Nemar as the player of the tournament.
- Selection: Neymar
- Best Odds: 13.00 (Sky Bet)
- Stakes: 5/10
All odds accurate as at 15:00 on November 3rd 2022. Odds may now differ.
