Ranking the top 10 favourites to win Golden Ball at 2022 FIFA World Cup

The tournament in Qatar is set to kick off in a few weeks' time.

With barely a month to go for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the anticipation for the footballing event is at an all-time high. The big prize is substantial enough on its own, but a few extraordinary individual rewards are also up for grabs.

Winning the Golden Ball, given to the World Cup's top performer, is every player's ultimate desire. Many individuals will compete for this title in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and we will look at the early favourites.

Without further ado, here are the top 10 possible winners of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball.

10. Phil Foden

Foden frequently plays as a left attacker for Manchester City, but he thrived during England's World Cup Qualifying matches as a deep-lying playmaker. The talented young player just won the PFA Young Player of the Year Award for the second year. Foden merits a spot on this list despite his lack of midfield experience because of his potential and general competence. He is one of the favourites for the Golden ball as he can make a difference for the English side.

9. Sadio Mane

Senegal's most technically proficient player is Sadio Mane. The Bayern Munich forward was chosen the African Footballer of the Year for the second time.

One of the world's fastest forwards with a maximum speed of 34.84 km/h, the Sedhiou native is capable of explosive bursts of speed during vital matches and might win the Golden Ball if his teammates use him effectively and put on a World Cup qualifying performance.

8. Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne is the finest midfielder in the 2022 World Cup. Despite missing the start of the season due to injury, the Belgian has been setting the stage on fire once again. As a result of his achievements, he was named the 2021-22 Premier League Player of the Season. De Bruyne is largely regarded as the best player in the world by coaches, and former and current players alike. If the Belgian plays the final and astonishes the world with his performance as he has done with Man City, he will easily win the Golden Ball.

7. Bernardo Silva

For Portugal, Bernardo Silva shines in the No. 10 position despite occasionally playing as a winger. Bernardo is incredibly creative, and his dribbling prowess and technique make him one of the most classical playmakers in the world. Silva was immense for Manchester City last season, and he'll be hoping to do the same on the international scene.

6. Pedri

Those are the terms that best describe the young Barcelona tyro's value in the Spain setup. Pedri, a No. 10 for his country and No. 8 for his club, has a bright career ahead of him. At the present, he is already generating a lot of buzz. However, He combines superb technique with the intellect to sniff out, occupy, and make the most of whatever space is available to him, making him one of the world's most talented players. He has demonstrated the temperament required to fill two of the game's most demanding jerseys, brimming with attitude, impudence, and confidence.

Also Read: FIFA World Cup: List of all Golden Ball winners

5. Vinicius Junior

Vinicius Junior was outstanding in the 2021-22 season with Real Madrid, scoring 22 goals and assisting 20 times in 52 games across all competitions. In addition to helping the Whites win LaLiga and the Spanish Super Cup, the youthful winger scored the game-winning goal against Liverpool in the Champions League final.

Vinicius Junior will compete in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which will be his first major competition for the Selecao. However, The 14-cap Brazilian attacker looks ready for the opportunity.

4. Luka Modric

Modric won the Ballon d'Or in 2018 after leading Croatia to the World Cup final as an underdog. Though his prime has passed, Modric has five Champions League trophies to his name, and Croatia will continue to rely on his leadership, inventiveness, and technical ability to win games. In the 2018 World Cup, he won the Golden Ball but lost to France in the final. Let's see if Modric and Croatia can pull it off one more time.

Modric's humble and magnanimous demeanour off the field, combined with his awareness and influence on it, have made him one of the most renowned midfielders of all time.

3. Karim Benzema

In the 2021–22 season, Karim Benzema had his greatest season with Real Madrid, scoring 44 goals and dishing out 15 assists in 46 appearances for the team across competitions. Real Madrid won the Champions League, La Liga, and Spanish Super Cup thanks to his heroics. He also won the Ballon d'Or for his outstanding season.

He is one of the favourites for the Golden Ball because his unselfish gameplay on the pitch helps his teammates to score goals.

2. Lionel Messi

Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, was eliminated from the 2018 World Cup in the round of 16 after falling to eventual champions France 4-3. Since then, La Albiceleste has improved in both confidence and talent, with captain Lionel Messi setting the bar high for his team.

Messi contributed four goals and five assists over the course of seven games to lead Argentina to the final of the 2021 Copa America, making him the greatest player for his country. They faced Brazil there and defeated them on penalties.

1. Neymar

Since Brazil's 2014 qualification campaign, Neymar has been the go-to technical player for his country, and his blistering start to the season for PSG has highlighted just how excellent a player he is.

Neymar may be utilised more as a facilitator for Brazil in Qatar, but he will be allowed the opportunity to operate anywhere in the offensive third and play alongside whoever the forward is. He is the favourite to win the Golden Ball since he is on the verge of breaking Pele's all-time goal-scoring record for Brazil, and this may be his best chance to become the greatest Brazilian player ever.