The most prolific Ballon d’Or victor in the famous ‘Golden Ball’s’ prestigious history; Lionel Messi, is the current outlying favorite to win the award for a whopping eighth go round, after guiding Argentina to a FIFA World Cup win in Qatar against holders, France.

Messi, who captained his national side to FIFA World Cup glory last month in the dessert in a Qatar-hosted Coupe du Monde, managed to not just convert from the spot in the resulting penalty shoot out – but managed to net twice himself in regulation time, despite a hat trick of goals from Parisian teammate, Kylian Mbappe. 

The Argentine star has won the prestigious Ballon d’Or on a staggering four separate occasions already during an unrivaled professional career – spanning the youth setup in his native Argentina, as well as a gold laden spell at FC Barcelona, before a surprising move to Paris Saint Germain. 

Landing a spectacular seven Ballon d’Or wins between 2009 and 2021, Messi first achieved the award as part of a phenomenal FC Barcelona side, minting themselves as European Champions with a Rome win over Manchester United.

In the time since, Messi has stood proud of the often-compared Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Portuguese native himself netting five Ballon d’Or titles – two proud of the following trio of Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, and Marco van Basten. 

At the time of publication, bookies and markets place Messi as short as 2/7 to win a staggering eighth Ballon d’Or award, far ahead of Kylian Mbappe (7/2), Erling Haaland (11/1), and Robert Lewandowski (22/1) – who would all land their maidan award should their gazump outright favorite, Messi. £20 no deposit bonus 

While Messi’s height continues to rise as he looks to land yet another Ballon d’Or triumph, the Argentine’s next closest rival to the award; Cristiano Ronaldo, has been put out to pasture by many within the footballing world – trading Manchester United for a shock move to Saudi Arabian side, Al-Nassr recently, following Portugal’s exit from the FIFA World Cup.

Set to land a ludicrous wage in a move to the Middle East, the ageing forward, who left Old Trafford and Erik ten Hag’s side on less than gentle terms – has been ridiculed for his big-money deal with the club, considering Saudi Arabia’s well-documented string of human rights violations, and attempt at sports washing. 

Messi’s continuance at the precipice of modern-day football, competing in a Paris Saint Germain side who look to topple Europe’s elite for the first time and clinch a UEFA Champions League crown this season, paired with his heralded capture of an elusive World Cup for the first time since the passing of Diego, has already separated him firmly in many’s eyes from Ronaldo. 

Expected to land a first Ballon d’Or since a spirited effort from Real Madrid frontman and French international, Karim Benzema last year, in what proved to be a UEFA Champions League winning season for Los Blancos, Messi has also been tipped to land a gleaming, Super Ballon d’Or – which has only previously been awarded to Alfredo di Stefano back in 1989, who guided Madrid to five consecutive European Cups.

Attempting to become the first side to retain a FIFA World Cup since the iconic Brazil side of the 1950s, and 1960s, Didier Deschamps Bleus managed to turn around a two-nil deficit to level things at 3-3 after extra time, however, spot kick woes for the holders saw a Lionel Messi-led Argentina secure their third ever World Cup victory – the first tournament held since the passing of talismanic forward, Diego Maradona.

Blasting Argentina ahead from the penalty spot in the opening half an hour, Paris Saint Germain forward, Messi converted past Hugo Lloris – before Juventus wide man, Angel Di Maria found the net – shocking the holders in a quickfire double salvo.

With just 10 minutes remaining in normal time, however, France were handed a lifeline of their own in the form of a spot kick, with Kylian Mbappe converting himself.

Just moments later, Messi was dispossessed by Kingsley Coman, with fed Adrien Rabiot – with Mbappe linking up with Eintracht Frankfurt frontman, Randal Kolo Muani – before firing a right foot volley into Emiliano Martinez’s left corner, levelling the final.

Forced to extra time, Argentina once more took the lead – with Messi converting a spilt shot from Lloris, despite an attempted goal-line clearance from Barcelona defender, Jules Kounde.

With mere minutes remaining, Sevilla full back, Gonzalo Montiel handled a shot from Mbappe inside the area – with France awarded another lifeline. Converting from the spot to become just the second player to score a hat trick in a World Cup final, Mbappe forced respective spot kicks.

With both Mbappe, and Messi converting before misses from both Coman and Real Madrid youngster, Aurelian Tchouameni, a late effort from Kolo Muani proved fruitless, with Paulo Dybala, Leandro Paredes, and the above-mentioned, Montiel scoring the deciding penalty, sending the World Cup back to South America.

In four years’ time, however, the tournament will return to North America for the first time since USA ‘94 – with both Mexico and neighboring, Canada set to also host fixtures. And France still remains odds on favorites at 4/1 to lift the World Cup. 

Following an impressive progression through a tough group containing England, Wales, and Iran, the USMNT – who have landed a new MLS partnership, are slated to turn in another highlight run – this time on home soil, however, remain distance outsiders to challenge with the elite.

Despite their victory over France in Sunday’s final, the incumbent best, Argentina find themselves as distinct outsiders to retain the World Cup and land gold for the fourth time, with markets offering the Albicelestes currently sit behind a group containing Brazil, England, Spain, and Germany at 9/1 to triumph Stateside in four years time. 

Interestingly, most recent European Championships winners, Italy – who failed to qualify for Qatar, sit as high as 22/1 to repeat 2006 exploits and win the World Cup. Famously, on their last major tournament in North America at the 1994 incarnation of the World Cup, a skyward spot kick from former Juventus forward, Roberto Baggio at the Rose Bowl handed the trophy to Brazil in the final.

Argentina, led by former Barcelona star and Partis Saint Germain talisman, Lionel Messi – fired their way through to the final earlier this week with a one-sided 3-0 win over former finalists, Croatia – with Messi netting first ahead of a pair of strikes from Manchester City forward, Julian Alvarez. 

Despite dropping a surprising and shocking 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening group game, Argentina managed to progress through to the final round with wins over Australia, and Netherlands ahead of their semi final win over Croatia.

Matching with Morocco – the first African side to progress through to the semi final, France managed to land a comprehensive 2-0 victory over the former, with goals from left back, Theo Hernandez, and substitute, Eintracht Frankfurt forward, Randal Kolo Muani firing France to their second consecutive final after they clinched the most-recent incarnation with a win over Croatia. 

Ahead of Sunday’s final, continued form from both sides throughout the knockout stage leaves the two on almost mirror playing fields, with Argentina currently sitting as marginal -110 favorites against France who currently sit as +105 underdogs to retain the World Cup. Betting on this weekend’s World Cup final is available over at Rushbet. 

As far as the third place play-off which features other semi-finalists, Croatia, and Morocco, the two will feature tomorrow – vying for a bronze medal in Qatar. 

In Sunday’s final, both Argentine talisman, Messi, and French superstar, Kylian Mbappe will also battle it out as the leaders of this tournament’s golden boot – with both sitting on five goals each throughout both the group stages and the knockout phase.

Behind both Messi and his Paris Saint Germain teammate, Mbappe – come the above-mentioned, Alvarez, and A.C. Milan striker, Olivier Giroud, who have both found the net four times apiece in Qatar. 

Should Messi nor Mbappe find separation over the course of Sunday’s final in Qatar, with both sitting on five goals, the Argentine will then scoop the Golden Boot if Mbappe is until to add to his assist tally of two – with Messi sitting on three goals for his Argentina teammates.

An extra caveat of this tournament also comes in the form of an expected final bow at the international stage from Argentine captain, Messi, who confirmed that win or lose against France, the final will mark his final World Cup game for the side. 

With France and Didier Deschamps looking to become the first country to win back-to-back World Cups since the Brazilian national side back in 1958, and 1962, the Blus will also look to land their third Coupe du Monde since the beginning of the century, after success against Brazil in 2002, and their most recent 2018 success opposite Croatia.

In the most recent tournament back in 2018 in Russia, England talisman and national team captain, Harry Kane scooped the tournament’s Golden Boot award with 6 goals as far as the semi finals, while eventual winner, Antoine Greizmann scored 4 ahead of Belgian striker, Romelu Lukaku – with the third-placed Inter Milan forward finding the net on 4 separate occasions. 

Below, check out 6 talents who are tipped to battle it out for this tournament’s Golden Boot award in Qatar.

Harry Kane

Tottenham Hotspurs striker, Harry Kane is currently odds on favorite at 7/1 to nab his second consecutive Golden Boot this December in Qatar – the current leader on most markets.

Set to lead the line for Gareth Southgate’s side ahead of Ivan Toney and Roma striker, Tammy Abraham, Kane has so far found the net on 7 occasions in 8 Premier League appearances this season, and is a surefire cert to add to his stunning 51 goal tally in Qatar this winter.

Kylian Mbappe

French maestro, Kylian Mbappe, who stunningly netted in the 2018 tournament en route to a 4-2 victory for Didier Deschamps’s side, is the second favorite to land the Golden Boot behind Kane. The Paris Saint Germain frontman can been backed currently at just 8/1 to scoop the award if you fancy a bet on the World Cup. Mbappe has so far scored 11 times in all competitions for PSG this season.

Karim Benzema

Set to lead the line for the French side this winter to boot, Real Madrid maestro, Karim Benzema, who has been tipped to land the Balon D’or amid a UEFA Champions League win earlier this year, can be backed as short as 12/1 to win the Golden Boot.

Since the departure of both Cristiano Ronaldo, and Gareth Bale from Los Blancos, Benzema has enjoyed a fantastic, gold-laden run for Carlo Ancelotti’s side – continuing his form with a 4 goals in 8 La Liga outings. 

Neymar

Tied with Benzema at 12/1 at the time of publication to win the Golden Boot, PSG forward, Neymar is tipped to likely have an outsiders chance to win the award as part of an often unknown Brazilian side under head coach, Tite. 

Neymar, a former UEFA Champions League winner with Barcelona as part of a front three containing Luis Suarez, and Lionel Messi, had hit form for the Parisian side this campaign – himself scoring 11 goals in all competitions. 

Lionel Messi

Another player hitting top form of old recently amid a topsy-turvy start to his time in Ligue 1 is FIFA Balon D’or leader, Lionel Messi. Currently available at 14/1, the Argentine star recently found the net with a stunning effort against Benfica earlier this week – his eighth goal in 13 matches this season. 

Cristiano Ronaldo

Yet to find his feet this campaign as part of a bit-part run with Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United, Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the spot in the Europa League this season – his sole goal for the Old Trafford side. The serial UEFA Champions League winner and Euro 2016 victor is priced the same as Messi – 14/1 to win the Golden Boot as part of a Portuguese front three.

Every four years, the FIFA World Cup dishes out some of the biggest surprises and shocks in world football, whether that be in the form of massive underdog victories, dominant performances, or supposed giants imploding en route to an early exit. And ahead of this year’s Qatar entry, a handful of nations from Europe and South America have been tipped to land Coupe du Monde. 

Last time out in Russia, Didier Deschamps led his French national side to World Cup glory, with a convincing 4-2 win following a trio of goals from Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba, and Kylian Mbappe sent the French on their way after an own goal from Mario Mandzukic. 

However, at EURO 2020 last year, the French side imploded at the round of 16 stage against Switzerland, dropping an eventual 5-4 defeat on penalties.

Eventual tournament victors, Italy, will not even feature in Qatar at the end of this year, after failing to qualify for the tournament. The side, now managed by former Manchester City leader, Roberton Mancini defeated England at Wembley to lift the UEFA EURO 2020 trophy last summer, with a Fabio Grosso deciding penalty scoring Italy a World Cup win in 2006. 

For England, the Gareth Southgate-led side will tackle Wales, Iran, and the USMNT (United States Men’s National Team) in their group in Qatar, and are expected to exit the group – likely as winners.

However, with their 2018 falter against Croatia, and disappointing end to their Nations League group with a draw with Germany, and a pair of losses to Hungary, and Italy, England, who are tipped to make it the latter stages of the tournament, are not fancied to win the World Cup outright.

At the time of publication, a team most certainly fancied to win outright in Qatar and clinch the FIFA World Cup is the leading tournament victors, Brazil. The side, led by Tite, have clinched World Cup gold on five separate occasions in the past, the last of which back in 2002 in Korea/Japan.

Selecao Canarinho are currently available as short as 4/1 to win the World Cup this winter in Qatar, with best World Cup betting odds available on various markets and bookmakers globally. 

Drawing Switzerland, Serbia, and Cameroon in the group stage this time around, Brazil most recently handed Ghana a 3-0 loss in a September friendly – with PSG center half, Marquinhos netting before a brace from Spurs forward, Richarlison.

With significant squad depth paired with an ever-present winning pedigree, Brazil can choose from sport-leading goalkeepers, Alisson and Ederson, while perennial center back pairing Thiago Silva and Marquinhos are tipped to pair.

In the center of the park, Tite has the freedom to choose between Fabinho or serial UEFA Champions League winner, Manchester United midfielder, Casemiro, while the likes of Neyman, Raphinha, Vinicius Junior, Antony, Roberto Firmino, and Richarlison are primed to fire Brazil to success. 

With Brazil odds on favorites to lift the World Cup this winter, the likes of Argentina, Spain, Germany and The Netherlands are priced at decent odds if you fancy a flutter on an outside chance to clinch the coupe du monde.

Gareth Southgate’s faltering English national side fell at the final hurdle of their most recent entry to a major international tournament on home soil last summer. And with the FIFA World Cup set to roll into Qatar-town at the end of this year, The Three Lions have been backed to go one further with a side chock full of experience, and land the coupe du monde for the first time since 1966. 

The men’s national team, who made it all the way to last year’s EURO 2020 final against Roberto Mancini’s Italian side, failed to defeat the Azzuri on penalties at Wembley, with a trio of misses from Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and then Bukayo Saka, gifting the Italians a victory on enemy territory. 

Set to travel to Qatar this winter for a late edition of the FIFA World Cup, England will and in a group of four featuring alongside Iran, the USMNT (United States Men’s National Team) and Wales. 

Tipped to likely progress through the group stage despite expected competition from both Wales and the USMNT, many England vs. Iran predictions have already backed Southgate’s side to land a comprehensive triumph against the tournament minnows. 

Currently backed at 13/2 to win the entire tournament come the end of December, The Three Lions find themselves third favorites to emerge with the trophy in tow, behind previous victors and holders, France, and South American giants, Brazil – who find themselves places as short as 9/2 odds on favorites. 

Ending their final three UEFA Nations League outings with two defeats and a draw, England were reduced to 10-men against Hungary en route to a 4-0 thrashing at home. 

Travelling to the San Siro in Milan to tackle Mancini’s Italian side again, England dropped a 1-0 loss against the Azzuri, with Napoli forward, Giacomo Raspadori netting.

Clawing a draw against Germany at Wembley, efforts from Manchester United full back, Luke Shaw, Chelsea playmaker, Mason Mount, and Spurs striker, Harry Kane managed to secure England a 3-3 draw after goals from Ilkay Gundogan, and a brace from Kai Havertz. 

Expected to hold their respective own in this winter’s World Cup tournament, despite being placed as the third favorites to win gold, England are tipped to progress beyond the group stage and likely equal their semi-final finish as in 2018 when they were beaten by finalists, Croatia.

England finished that tournament in Russia as fourth place finishers, behind third-placed victors, Belgium, runner-ups, Croatia, and the aforenoted winners, France.

However, with the continued emergence of talents such as the above-mentioned, Sancho, as well as midfield duo Declan Rice, and Jude Bellingham to go with center back force and Serie A winner, Fikayo Tomori, as well as the maturing Manchester City product, Phil Foden, Southgate’s side may even better their 2018 performance.

As usual, Harry Kane is expected to lead the lineup top with the captain finishing the 2018 tournament as the Golden Boot winner with six goals, however, extra firepower in the form of the recently included Brentford frontman, Ivan Toney, and Roma finisher, Tammy Abraham –  to an often lacking forward line back up England’s chances. 

Turning in another splendid performance against newly-promoted, Nottingham Forest this week – which included a spectacular free kick effort, Leicester City midfielder, James Maddison has been backed to find himself a seat on the plane to Qatar, however, it still remains to be seen if the playmaker will fit into Southgate’s often pragmatic style of ball.

Following his exploits when leading the line for the Three Lions back in 2018 at the FIFA World Cup in Russia, Tottenham Hotspurs forward, Harry Kane has been placed as quite the outright favorite to land his consecutive World Cup golden boot.

Kane, who could only guide the England national side to the semi-final stage in 2018, managed to find the net on 6 separate occasions throughout the group and knockout stage in Russia, before the previous winners were dumped out after extra time against finalists, Croatia in a 2-1 loss. 

Failing to net on the opening weekend of the Premier League earlier this month, Kane rescued a point for Antonio Conte’s side at Stamford Bridge last weekend in a 2-2 draw, finding the back of Eduard Mendy’s net in added time. 

The men’s side, led by former Middlesborough center half and England international, Gareth Southgate, suffered further major tournament woes in the summer of last year – falling at the final hurdle of EURO 2020 on home soil at Wembley, with Roberto Mancini’s Italian side winning on penalties after a trio of misses from Manchester United duo, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho – while Bukayo Saka saw his deciding penalty stopped by PSG keeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma. 

Attempting to fire his country to World Cup honors for the first time since 1966, Kane has been tipped as short as 6/1 to land his second consecutive golden ball at this winter’s Qatar tournament, with free spins no deposits offered for the Spurs striker to become the first player in World Cup history to land consecutive honors. Determine your best way to bet and wager at Casino with Neteller. 

Backed behind Kane to land the golden boot in Qatar come the close of December is recent Internazionale returner, Romelu Lukaku – who has been placed as high as 13/2 to land the award as he looks set to lead the Belgium side, following a less than successful big-money return to Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea side last season.

The 2018 bronze boot winner has found the net 68 times in 102 caps for the Belgian national side. And hopes a loan move back to Italy where he previously linked up with Argentine forward, Lautaro Martinez inspires form. The former Everton and Manchester United frontman recently netted on his second debut for the Simone Inzaghi side. 

In 2018, French talent, Antoine Griezmann managed to land the silver boot off the back of 4 goals for the national side, however, has been placed even higher than Lukaku in markets at 17/1 to spring what would come as a surprise golden boot win – following a string of faltering form in seasons with Barcelona and a loan spell with Atletico Madrid. 

Paris Saint Germain forward, Kylian Mbappe has garnered much attention ahead of his winter’s Middle East tournament, with the FIFA 23 cover star placed at 8/1 behind just Kane to land the golden boot. The French sensation had been linked with UEFA Champions League winners, Real Madrid earlier this summer, however, has penned a lucrative new deal with PSG to remain in the French capital. 

Expected to have quite the outsiders chance in what likely comes as their World Cup swansongs, the iconic frontline duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi can be fluttered as high as 10/1, and 11/1 respectively – in Portuguese and Argentine sides which are viewed with a distinct outside chance of success. 

The duo both made surprising moves to Manchester United and Paris Saint Germain recently – both experiencing varying degrees of success in the process.