Player of the Tournament Power Rankings: Messi piling pressure on Mbappe
Posted Saturday, December 10, 2022 by Goal.com
Diego Maradona, Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane – some of the biggest names in football history have illuminated the game’s grandest stage. But who will be named the tournament’s best player this year?
Two former winners are present in Qatar, of course, with Lionel Messi again leading Argentina and Luka Modric captaining Croatia.
But could the prize go to one of the young guns, such as Kylian Mbappe or Jude Bellingham?
10. Cody Gakpo
How much is Cody Gakpo worth now?! The PSV winger was a man in demand even before the tournament began, with talk of a move to England intensifying after a fine start to the season. He certainly seems destined to play for one of Europe's elite after highlighting his class with three goals in three group games. Gakpo didn't manage to score in the knockout stage but he's proven himself a world-class talent in Qatar.
9. Richarlison
A frustrating end to the tournament for Richarlison, who came off during Brazil's shock quarter-final exit to Croatia. However, he should be immensely proud of his performances in Qatar. Indeed, unlike many of his fellow forward, Richarlison actually excelled. He not only scored three times, he also scored two goal of the tournament contenders. Joga Bonito returned for a short time at the tournament and Richarlison was the main reason why!
8. Theo Hernandez
Theo Hernandez may not be the greatest defender in the world but he's absolutely outstanding going forward, as he's already emphasised in Qatar. His debut may not have come in ideal circumstances, with the AC Milan attacker brought on against Australia after his brother Lucas had suffered a tournament-ending injury. But Hernandez has made the most of his opportunity, creating the crucial equaliser for Adrien Rabiot against the Socceroos, before then combining with Kylian Mbappe to break the deadlock in the 2-1 win over Denmark. No defender has created more chances (10) and with Hernandez now in the starting line-up, France's left flank now looks like an absolute nightmare for opposition back-lines.
7. Jude Bellingham
It's take a special kind of talent to shine on the world stage. Jude Bellingham is one such talent. The Borussia Dortmund star got England's campaign up and running with the opener in their 6-2 demolition of Iran and he inspired their last-16 win over Senegal, making two sensational breaks that led to the Three Lions going in 2-0 up at the end of the half that they had started sluggishly. It's also worth noting that Bellingham has now won 11 tackles at the tournament - only Achraf Hakimi has managed as managed as many. The kid really can do it all.
6. Achraf Hakimi
The Paris Saint-Germain ace has long been regarded as one of the most exciting full-backs in the world and he's now showing why in Qatar. With his marauding runs down the right flank and a tournament-high 11 tackles won, Hakimi played a pivotal role in Morocco pulling off a major surprise by topping a group containing Croatia and Belgium. Followed that up by converting the winning penalty in the last-16 shootout success over Spain, after playing a key role in a remarkable rear-guard action.
5. Dominik Livakovic
What a tournament the Dinamo Zagreb No.1 having! Against Japan in the last 16, Livakovic became just the third man to save three penalties in a shootout. He stopped another against Brazil in the quarter-final, and this time after making a staggering 11 saves during the game. The tournament's best goalkeeper, without a shadow of a doubt.
4. Antoine Griezmann
Still without a goal but Antoine Griezmann, with his wonderful work-rate and terrific technique, has been integral to France progressing to the quarter-finals. Mbappe may be Les Bleus' star but Griezmann is the hybrid hero that makes their forward line function. Everything goes through him, he is the creator-in-chief, as underlined by the fact that only Messi has created more chances.
3. Bruno Fernandes
Cristiano Ronaldo may be hogging all the headlines but it was clear long before the captain was dropped that that Bruno is now Portugal's most important player. Against Ghana, with the game tied at one goal apiece, it was the Manchester United man who proved the Seleccao's difference-maker, creating goals for Joao Felix and Rafael Leao. He then bagged both goals in the 2-0 win over Uruguay that sealed the Seleccao's place in the last 16. Bruno brings a combination of industry and innovation to the party that few other players in this tournament can match. Indeed, nobody as more assists in Qatar (three).
2. Lionel Messi
What more can you say about the man? Rio Ferdinand called his performance against Australia "god-like" and Messi really doesn't seem to be of this world. After his latest sensational showing, against Netherlands, he now has four goals and two assists, while no player has created more chances (16). The Argentina captain is well placed to be once again named the tournament's best player.
1. Kylian Mbappe
A man who considered quitting international football a year ago now looks set to write more history with France. After his stunning double against Poland, Mbappe now has five goals in just four matches – and don't forget that he was only used as a sub in the only game in which he failed to find the net, against Tunisia. In this kind of breath-taking form, the 23-year-old is the clear favourite to both finish as top scorer and walk away with the player of the tournament award, having already been directly involved in seven goals – two more than anyone else.
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