Past 7 winners. Only one of them won the World Cup
2014: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
2010: Diego Forlan (Uruguay)
2006: Zinedine Zidane (France)
2002: Oliver Kahn (Germany)
1998: Ronaldo (Brazil)
1994: Romario (Brazil)
1990: Salvatore Schillaci (Italy)
Past 7 winners. Only one of them won the World Cup2014: Lionel Messi (Argentina)2010: Diego Forlan (Uruguay)2006: Zinedine Zidane (France) 2002: Oliver Kahn (Germany) 1998: Ronaldo (Brazil) 1994: Romario (Brazil) 1990: Salvatore Schillaci (Italy)
i think this Golden Ball market is really complicated by the fact that there is also something called Young Player of the Tournament which is a totally separate award.
Obviously being only 19 years old, Mbappe is the standout candidate for the Young player award.
I just wonder if they might lean toward Modric in that case.. unless Mbappe scores a hatrick in the final !
i think this Golden Ball market is really complicated by the fact that there is also something called Young Player of the Tournament which is a totally separate award.Obviously being only 19 years old, Mbappe is the standout candidate for the Young p
"Kante was just completing one of the great games in World Cup history. Kante had intercepted Uruguay 32 times in the match, and on only three of those occasions had France failed to retain possession. That is scarcely feasible. Kante had won back possession for France 29 times against some of the finest players on the planet.
even Argentina could not keep Kante absolutely quiet by avoiding him. He still broke up play on several crucial occasions and his understanding of the pass is second to none. Against Uruguay Kante made 34 passes in a row without giving the ball away. In both the game against Uruguay and Argentina, Kante did not concede possession of the ball in the second half.
Some of it was sideways and short. But there were also those poetic one touch passes that open up space. Against Argentina Kante made three in a matter of 10 seconds and France were away again. It was also Kante's little surge from the edge of his box and left-footed pass into Griezmann's stronger foot that initiated the goal of the tournament, Griezmann's flick, Olivier Giroud's gentle nudge and Mbappe's finish were all sublime, but it was Kante who started it all.
So much of what France do starts with Kante. His passing also initiated the build-up to the third goal against Argentina. His reading of the play and stepping into space, turned Uruguay back towards their own goal and set up the free-kick from which France opened the scoring in their quarter-final.
And there's nothing to the bloke. He's even two centimetres shorter than Messi. But Kante is every bit as big a player. Thierry Henry, the former French international who has been part of Belgium's coaching staff, says he poked Kante in the chest to see if he was real.
After France shut out Peru in their qualifying group Paul Pogba called his midfield mate, "the man with fifteen lungs." Teammates have called Kante 'the rat', for the way he scurries about or an 'annoying fly'. Peru, Uruguay and Argentina would doubtless call Kante the curse of South America.
France's left-back Lucas Hernandez said. 'N'Golo, you see him everywhere, all of a sudden he comes out of the ground. Frankly, it's really amazing to play with a player like that, someone who wins you back I do not know how many balls in a match." "
"Kante was just completing one of the great games in World Cup history. Kante had intercepted Uruguay 32 times in the match, and on only three of those occasions had France failed to retain possession. That is scarcely feasible. Kante had won back po
Would be very surprised if he isn't listed by the technical study group. But I'd imagine the media who decide on the eventual winner are more like fans than players. It may favour Modric that there are so many Frenchman competing for votes.
Would be very surprised if he isn't listed by the technical study group. But I'd imagine the media who decide on the eventual winner are more like fans than players. It may favour Modric that there are so many Frenchman competing for votes.
Based on past winners, it's highly unlikely that the winner will be anyone who is not in the top 2 for goals + assists combined (7 of the last 9 winners were in the top 2 for goals+assists, the other 2 were Oliver Kahn and Messi - who had 4 MOTM awards).
At the minute it reads like this for the relevant players (last 9 winners from a team that made the Semis)
Kane has more than likely won the Golden boot unless Greizmann or Mbappe score a hat trick which is unlikely, the Golden Boot winner is rarely given the Golden Ball award as well, you'd have to go back 7 World Cups to find the last time that happened and only twice in the last 9 World Cups in all. Kane has generally been below par anyway, scored his last goal in the 2nd round and is well out of the running for this award.
A lot will depend upon the final. But really it's between Hazard / Griezmann / Modric / Mbappe.
Mbappe will be given the young players award, that might make him less likely to win the Golden Ball if they want to share around the awards, though that's just guesswork - he'd really have to score at least 1 goal tomorrow without Griezmann scoring and be MOTM.
Hard to call a winner before the final. But if it's a drab draw/extra time/pens, wouldn't be surprised if Hazard was given it.
Based on past winners, it's highly unlikely that the winner will be anyone who is not in the top 2 for goals + assists combined (7 of the last 9 winners were in the top 2 for goals+assists, the other 2 were Oliver Kahn and Messi - who had 4 MOTM awar
Great player, no doubt, but seems to lack being 'glamorous' enough to take this type of award - sure they'd prefer the young gun for the same side instead, to keep the youth vote.
Great player, no doubt, but seems to lack being 'glamorous' enough to take this type of award - sure they'd prefer the young gun for the same side instead, to keep the youth vote.
It's my understanding that this year the media are not involved in picking the winner as I read on FIFA's website, even if wiki and the like say they are.
It's my understanding that this year the media are not involved in picking the winner as I read on FIFA's website, even if wiki and the like say they are.
if winning or getting to the final isn't part of the gig,theres about 50 players who,ve played better than modric in this world cup against Denmark,russia he was shoite and for 6o mins against England he wasn't sighted against a water carrier like Henderson, hazard, de bruyne have been on a different planet to modric
if winning or getting to the final isn't part of the gig,theres about 50 players who,ve played better than modric in this world cup against Denmark,russia he was shoite and for 6o mins against England he wasn't sighted against a water carrier like He
I agree about Modric. He looks very short. I can't see how they can give it to someone from such a weak half of the draw.
Had Belgium got to the final Hazard would be odds on. Clearly been better than Mbappe.
Mbappe needs to have a good final. If he doesn't I wouldn't be surprised if Hazard still gets it.
Let's face it nobody has put their stamp on the tournament with a string of outstanding performances.
I agree about Modric. He looks very short. I can't see how they can give it to someone from such a weak half of the draw.Had Belgium got to the final Hazard would be odds on. Clearly been better than Mbappe.Mbappe needs to have a good final. If he do
It makes no difference who you beat to get to the final. Forlan won despite Uruguay cheating to make the semi finals. I hardly think FIFA are going to think "oh hang on Croatia were in the easy half of the draw, let's not give it to their best player."
I agree that Hazard has been the best player at this WC. It would be a bit of a surprise but since Forlan won in 2010 it wouldn't be a total surprise
For me Yann Sommer and Kasper Schmeichel have been the best goalies. But I'd be truly shocked if either won.
It makes no difference who you beat to get to the final. Forlan won despite Uruguay cheating to make the semi finals. I hardly think FIFA are going to think "oh hang on Croatia were in the easy half of the draw, let's not give it to their best play
And Zidane won despite his head butt. Hardly an advert that FIFA think strongly about sportsmanship even if it was allegedly decided before the WCF. Obviously times change
And Zidane won despite his head butt. Hardly an advert that FIFA think strongly about sportsmanship even if it was allegedly decided before the WCF. Obviously times change
Is this still sponsored by Adidas? (I might be mixing up my competitions).
At the start of the tourn I remember seeing a stat that an Adidas sponsored player has won everytime.
If so, Mbappe is with Nike. Belgium are backed by Adidas. Pogba, Kante, and Rakitic are backed by Adidas.
Is this still sponsored by Adidas? (I might be mixing up my competitions).At the start of the tourn I remember seeing a stat that an Adidas sponsored player has won everytime. If so, Mbappe is with Nike. Belgium are backed by Adidas. Pogba, Kante, an