With some contender flexes, almighty scares, and surprising upsets, the World Cup has now narrowed down from 32 teams to 16. As the round of 32 concludes, it’s time to revisit The Athletic’s ranking of the top 50 players at the tournament. This ranking is guided by a player ratings model, offering an objective evaluation of each player’s performance in a match.
The list retains 50 names; players will not disappear as their teams exit, though they might be overtaken by others who have more opportunities to demonstrate their abilities.
In the group stage, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Junior held the top three positions. Let’s examine how the standings have shifted since then. Share your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below.
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1. Lionel Messi — Argentina/Inter Miami (position unchanged)
Messi provided another unforgettable moment with his flawless first touch and finish against Cape Verde, becoming the first player to score 20 World Cup goals. Vozinha in goal prevented him from scoring a hat-trick, so he settled with a match-winning assist.
2. Kylian Mbappe — France/Real Madrid (position unchanged)
None more thrilling than World Cup Mbappe. He breezed past Sweden’s defense with incredible speed and sharp movement, finishing with two fantastic goals, supported by an impressive team.
3. Michael Olise — France/Bayern Munich (+2)
Olise was exceptional against Sweden, with two jaw-dropping assists for Bradley Barcola and Mbappe. His scissor kick narrowly missed what could’ve been the goal of the tournament.
4. Harry Kane — England/Bayern Munich (+2)
Kane stepped up when England needed him against DR Congo, surpassing Pele in the World Cup scoring chart. He scored with a classic header and exhibited a finish reserved for the greats.
5. Achraf Hakimi — Morocco/Paris Saint-Germain (+2)
Hakimi was central to Morocco’s attack against the Netherlands, almost scoring and assisting multiple times. Despite missing a crucial penalty, he has shown great play in the tournament.
6. Vinicius Junior — Brazil/Real Madrid (-3)
Vinicius Junior almost scored an iconic World Cup goal against Japan, but Zion Suzuki diverted his shot onto the post. Though not the catalyst for Brazil’s comeback, he persisted on the left, increasing the pressure.
7. Erling Haaland — Norway/Manchester City (+1)
Haaland’s vital tap-in kept Norway in the game against Ivory Coast, highlighting his flawless penalty box movement. He advances to confront Brazil and Gabriel in the round of 16.
8. Ousmane Dembele — France/Paris Saint-Germain (-4)
While Dembele stood out against Norway, he receded to a supporting role against Sweden, allowing Mbappe and Olise to shine. His willingness to adapt benefits the team dynamic.
9. Ismael Saibari — Morocco/Bayern Munich (+1)
Saibari’s first game after moving from PSV resulted in a decisive penalty against the Netherlands. His finishing has been inconsistent, missing an earlier opportunity from a Hakimi cross.
10. Bruno Guimaraes — Brazil/Newcastle (+25)
Guimaraes aimed to bring Brazil level against Japan, making daring attempts and assisting Martinelli’s winning goal. He now has four assists at the World Cup.
Reviewing the rankings, names such as Laporte, Upamecano, Bellingham, and others showcase solid performances, while newcomers like Cucurella, Tielemans, and Manzambi have made noteworthy impacts.
As teams progress, these rankings provide an insight into players’ achievements, contributions, and impact throughout the competition. To follow upcoming performances, access detailed coverage via The Athletic app.
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