Top 50 Players at the World Cup

The World Cup has narrowed from 32 to 16 teams, offering moments of surprises and extraordinary performances. The Athletic has updated its ranking of the top 50 players, guided by a player ratings model that evaluates each player’s match contributions.

Noteworthy players like Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Junior were early leaders, and now the rankings have shifted slightly as the tournament progresses. Here’s a snapshot of the current top performers:

Top Players in the World Cup

1. Lionel Messi — Argentina/Inter Miami

Messi remains the top player, impressing with a remarkable touch and finish against Cape Verde. He became the first to score 20 World Cup goals and contributed significantly with a match-winning assist.

2. Kylian Mbappe — France/Real Madrid

Mbappe showed his exceptional pace and movement against Sweden, scoring twice and often looks unstoppable with a strong team backing him.

3. Michael Olise — France/Bayern Munich

Olise dazzled with two assists against Sweden and nearly scored one of the tournament’s top goals, increasing his standing by two spots.

4. Harry Kane — England/Bayern Munich

Kane stepped up against DR Congo, moving into fourth with a masterful performance and surpassing Pele in World Cup goals.

5. Achraf Hakimi — Morocco/Paris Saint-Germain

Hakimi shone against the Netherlands with offensive plays. Despite a penalty miss, he remains a pivotal figure for Morocco.

6. Vinicius Junior — Brazil/Real Madrid

Despite a tough match against Japan, Vinicius Junior’s aggressive play on the left flank kept Brazil in contention.

7. Erling Haaland — Norway/Manchester City

Haaland continues to find the net with critical goals, his penalty box awareness is unparalleled.

8. Ousmane Dembele — France/Paris Saint-Germain

Even in a supporting role against Sweden, Dembele’s adaptability remains commendable.

9. Ismael Saibari — Morocco/Bayern Munich

Saibari scored a key penalty against the Netherlands, showcasing his composure and technical ability.

10. Bruno Guimaraes — Brazil/Newcastle

Guimaraes made crucial plays against Japan, assisting Brazil’s winning goal, pushing him up 25 places.

Notable Mentions

• 11. Mikel Oyarzabal — Spain/Real Sociedad: Mastered the ‘false nine’ role, scoring twice against Austria.
• 12. Aymeric Laporte — Spain/Athletic Club: Key to Spain’s defensive prowess, maintaining clean sheets.
• 13. Pedri — Spain/Barcelona: Integral in Spain’s fluid tactics despite a quieter game.
• 14. Dayot Upamecano — France/Bayern Munich: Solid defensive performances continue.
• 15. Jude Bellingham — England/Real Madrid: Strong presence against DR Congo, paired well with Kane.
• 16. Lamine Yamal — Spain/Barcelona: Displays potential, crucial for the upcoming match against Portugal.
• 17. Declan Rice — England/Arsenal: Shifted roles effectively, crucial in defensive adjustments.
• 18. Diogo Costa — Portugal/Porto: Impressive goalkeeper, instrumental against Croatia.
• 19. Pau Cubarsi — Spain/Barcelona: Enhances Spain’s defensive stability with speed and athleticism.
• 20. Folarin Balogun — United States/Monaco: Despite an unfortunate red card, his scoring impact remains vital.

This ranking only highlights a fraction of talent showcased at this year’s World Cup. Performances will evolve as the tournament progresses, and each match presents a chance for new stars to rise.