The 2022 World Cup comes to a close on Sunday when France faces Argentina in what should be a fascinating final.
Among the storylines is Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe going toe-to-toe. The Paris Saint-Germain teammates are vying for the Golden Ball as the World Cup’s best player, and both are tied atop the Golden Boot charts as the top scorer.
Messi and Mbappe are undoubtedly two of the individual standouts of the tournament but several other players deserve accolades, too.
Here’s a breakdown of the top 15 players at the World Cup. The rankings are based on the player’s importance to his respective team as well as his overall performance at the tournament.
15. Cody Gakpo (Netherlands)
The tournament isn’t even over and Manchester United is already pushing to complete the signing of Cody Gakpo.
Gakpo finished with a team-high three goals for the Netherlands and finished in the top 10 in shot-creating actions among all players, further underlining his threat as a dribbler and scorer.
14. Wojciech Szczesny (Poland)
If it wasn’t for Wojciech Szczesny saving Lionel Messi’s penalty against Argentina in the Group C finale, Poland wouldn’t have reached the round of 16.
That alone is reason enough to include Szczesny in the top 15. Only Dominik Livakovic (3.3) posted a stronger goals saved above expected than the Polish shot-stopper’s 2.8, per FBRef.com. He also faced 28 shots on target, second only to Livakovic (29).
13. Jamal Musiala (Germany)
If Germany wasn’t eliminated in the group stage, we’d probably be talking about Jamal Musiala being the breakout star of this World Cup.
At 19, Musiala ran the show for Germany in all three group games. He registered 1.98 expected goals (xG), 12 shots, created eight chances in open play, six shot-ending carries and was among the leaders in attempted take-ons, per Opta.
If Germany had progressed to the knockout stage, Musiala would be pushing the top five, never mind the top 10.
12. Dominik Livakovic (Croatia)
Croatia only conceded two goals – against Canada and Brazil – until it met Argentina in the semifinals. However, the Croatians had allowed 7.5 expected goals entering the semi.
Chalk that down to goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic’s heroics. Nobody had more goals saved above expected than Livakovic (3.3), but it was the two penalty shootouts where the 27-year-old etched his name in World Cup folklore.
Livakovic stopped four of the eight penalties against Japan and Brazil, setting the record for most saves in World Cup penalty shootouts.
11. Casemiro (Brazil)
One of the only players to score against Livakovic in a penalty shootout was Casemiro, who was imperious for Brazil until it lost to Croatia in the quarterfinals.
Normally known for his defensive prowess, Casemiro was vital for Brazil in possession and played a huge role in their relatively smooth journey to the quarters.
Unfortunately, Casemiro was asked to do too much against Croatia’s vaunted midfield trio and struggled compared to his lofty standards.
10. Jude Bellingham (England)
It took a couple games for Jude Bellingham to settle into the World Cup but once he did, there was no stopping him.
Only Mbappe was involved in more goal-creating actions than Bellingham, plus he was a defensive stalwart.
Bellingham won more tackles (15) than any other player at the World Cup, per FBRef.com, further bolstering his already sky-high transfer valuation.
9. Mateo Kovacic (Croatia)
With all due respect to the brilliant Luka Modric, who was magnificent again in Qatar, Mateo Kovacic really caught the eye.
The ease with which he glided through the midfield to progress the ball while covering ground defensively was breathtaking to witness in person. It was just as fun to watch on television.
Thirteen shot-creating actions (via FBRef.com) and 14 tackles won (per Opta) was just the tip of the iceberg for the Chelsea midfielder.
8. Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco)
One of the breakout stars of the World Cup, Azzedine Ounahi was exceptional in every game for Morocco and he’s receiving heavy interest from several clubs.
Ounahi’s box-to-box abilities will be attractive to any potential suitor. He’s so technically gifted and has excellent vision, as exhibited by his 15 shot-creating actions during the World Cup.
Wherever he ends up, the 22-year-old has a bright future.
7. Olivier Giroud (France)
It’s mind-boggling that France’s new all-time leading scorer is No. 7 but that’s life when playing for one of the most stacked national teams in the world.
Simply put, France wouldn’t be in the final without Giroud’s clutch goals, especially against England in the quarterfinals, plus he leads all players in non-penalty expected goals.
6. Enzo Fernández (Argentina)
It’s not a coincidence that Argentina started purring when Enzo Fernández became a starter.
The evidence of Fernández’s all-around importance to Argentina can be highlighted by his stats from the win over Croatia in the semifinals. Plus, he covered 11.3 kilometres, more than any other Argentinean player.
Not bad for a player who hadn’t started for Argentina prior to the World Cup.
5. Josko Gvardiol (Croatia)
It was a rough outing for Josko Gvardiol against Argentina but everybody falls victim to Messi.
It was a contrast to Gvardiol’s immense performance against Brazil in the quarters when he didn’t put a foot wrong.
Gvardiol’s combination of defensive acuity and comfort on the ball has turned the 20-year-old into one of the world’s most coveted young players. Surely he’ll be off to a top club within the next six months.
4. Kylian Mbappé (France)
Messi and Mbappe might be level atop the Golden Boot race but none of the latter’s goals were scored from the penalty spot.
That counts for something, especially when it’s combined with 11 open-play chances created, 1.19 expected assists (xA) and eight chance-creating carries, per Opta.
3. Antoine Griezmann (France)
For all of Mbappe’s dominance, no French player has been as important to the team’s run as Antoine Griezmann.
It might not show in the goals or assists columns but Griezmann has created the most chances (21) among all World Cup players. Even if you subtract the set pieces, the numbers from open play are still unbelievably good.
To top it off, Griezmann has been defensively diligent and has fulfilled a number of roles, from No. 10 to the base of the midfield when France has bunkered down. That’s an MVP-calibre player right there.
2. Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco)
Speaking of MVP-calibre players, where would Morocco be without Sofyan Amrabat?
From the opening game against Croatia, Amrabat has turned heads with his stalwart displays in the base of Morocco’s midfield. Comb over the stats from any of the Moroccan matches and the 26-year-old will likely top every category.
If world leaders are pulling him aside to heap praise, then it’s pretty evident that Amrabat is one of the players of the tournament.
1. Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Whatever happens on Sunday, the fact Lionel Messi saved his best World Cup performance at 35 speaks to his greatness.
With three goals and three assists in the knockout stage alone, Messi has been the catalyst for Argentina’s run to the final.
But if we just watch Messi go to work, no stats are necessary to back up the world-class performances throughout the World Cup.
