World Cup Golden Boot: Top 5 Contenders

Over the years World Cup has witnessed some great goalscorers.

Ronaldo, Klose, Davor Suker etc. have won the Golden for their respective countries. Last time James Rodriguez won it and instantly got his ticket to Madrid confirmed.

This world cup is no different, a lot of poachers will be looking to bag that coveted prize and write their name in World Cup folklore. We take a look at 5 players who could win the top goalscorer’s award in Russia.

#1 Dries Mertens (Belgium)

Mertens story from a tricky winger to a world-class goalscorer has been nothing short of remarkable. After having played most of his career on the left flank, he was converted into a centre-forward following Gonzalo Higuain’s transfer to Napoli and Milik’s long-term injury.

The move paid off as he proved to be Napoli’s top scorer with 34 goals in all competitions.

This World Cup he’ll be playing as a right-sided inside forward and should be the main goalscorer for Belgium along with Lukaku. If Belgium progress according to their squad strength it will be no surprise to see Mertens win the Golden Boot.

#2 Diego Costa (Spain)

Diego Costa didn’t have the best of competitions in Brazil and some might say it has because of the hostility shown by the Brazilian crowds as Costa chose to represent Spain over Brazil. Costa was prolific in the two recent title winning seasons for Chelsea as he topped the scoring charts for Chelsea in both of the seasons. After being shunned by Antonio Conte at the start of previous season, he moved to Atletico in January and continued his fine form as he scored the decisive goal against Arsenal in the Europa League Semi Final. The Striker might have only finished with 7 goals for Atletico but given his goalscoring pedigree, we would put him down as one of the contenders.

#3 Antoine Griezmann (France)

Griezmann has been one of the best goalscorers in the recent seasons and ended the current season with Atletico having scored 29 goals in all competitions. A constant menace for the backline, Griezmann is one of the most complete Centre Forwards in the game now with his dribbling, positioning, passing and Finishing. With France looking firm favorites to win the World Cup, Griezmann has the team around him to help him finish as the top goalscorer in the tournament. If he finds his boots in Russia, it will be very hard to stop France from winning the world cup.

#4 Leo Messi (Argentina)

Probably Messi’s last world cup, the Barcelona great will be looking to put past the painful memories of Brazil as he narrowly missed out on the World Cup courtesy of a Mario Gotze winner that sunk Argentina. Messi still won the Golden Ball for being the best player in the tournament as his performances couldn’t be ignored. Messi ended as the leading goalscorer in top 5 European leagues and it seems like he just gets better with age. It will be no surprise if he finishes as the top goalscorer in the World Cup.

#5 Thomas Muller (Germany)

The leading active goalscorer in World Cup with 10 goals will also look at this tournament as one he could make his mark on. His third world Cup now and in his first he won the Golden boot so it’s nothing new for him. In 2014 as well, he won the Silver boot as he just finished behind James and was Germany’s constant source of threat in front of goal.

It’s just a matter of time before we accept this is his competition and the world is just mere spectators.