The round of 16 is over, and the business end of the World Cup is looming large.
What better time to revisit The Athletic’s ranking of the top 50 players at the tournament? These are informed by our player-ratings model, which provides an objective assessment of each individual’s contribution in a match.
The list will stay at 50 names throughout the World Cup. Players will not simply vanish as their teams are eliminated in the knockout rounds, though they may well be leapfrogged by others who get more time to show what they can do on the sport’s biggest stage.
Please feel welcome to direct your thoughts and complaints to the comments section.
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1. Lionel Messi — Argentina/Inter Miami (same)
Messi was minutes away from losing top spot in this list. Then he walked out to the right flank and started clipping in crosses that crumbled last-16 opponents Egypt and generating two goals to resurrect Argentina and atone for his second missed penalty of this World Cup. His team are still alive, and he is still peerless.
Lionel Messi, penalties aside, remains peerless (Juan Mabromata/AFP via Getty Images)
2. Kylian Mbappe — France/Real Madrid (same)
Deserves extra credit for not rising to all manner of Paraguayan provocation, either side of a composed penalty that saw France into the quarter-finals. Mbappe remains one slightly sub-par Messi performance away from taking over in first place. It’s that close.
3. Harry Kane — England/Bayern Munich (+1)
Kane followed up his DR Congo heroics with another big-time performance against Mexico, peeling two defenders away for Jude Bellingham’s first goal, then unselfishly squaring the ball for the Real Madrid man to slide in his second. Then, having flicked the ball on for Anthony Gordon to win a penalty, he converted it nervelessly.
4. Erling Haaland — Norway/Manchester City (+3)
Managed to pull off football’s equivalent of a brutal dunk and a pull-up three-pointer in the same game to take out Brazil, getting one over on his Premier League nemesis Gabriel in the process. Win or lose against England in Saturday’s quarter-final, Haaland and Norway have made an indelible mark on this World Cup.
Erling Haaland and Norway have made a fine impression on this tournament (Al Bello/Getty Images)
5. Achraf Hakimi — Morocco/Paris Saint-Germain (same)
Hakimi got himself another assist as Morocco dismantled Canada, but also picked up a booking that leaves him walking a disciplinary tightrope today (Thursday) against France. His consistency in this World Cup makes him an undeniable fixture in the top 10.
6. Michael Olise — France/Bayern Munich (-3)
Hugely unfortunate to pick up a ridiculous yellow card that France attempted to appeal, but Olise slips here after enduring his quietest game of what had previously been a brilliant personal World Cup against Paraguay. Didier Deschamps will hope he rediscovers his groove against Morocco because when he is flying, he gives France a gear no one can match.
7. Jude Bellingham — England/Real Madrid (+8)
Bellingham is a big-game player, so it was no surprise to see him step up against Mexico in the cauldron of intimidation that was the Estadio Azteca. Aside from his goals, some of his ball-carrying evoked comparisons with the great Zinedine Zidane. He and Kane are the foundation of England’s hopes this summer.
Jude Bellingham has leapt up our rankings with another superb performance (Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)
8. Vinicius Junior — Brazil/Real Madrid (-2)
Vinicius Jr was probably the Brazilian least deserving of elimination against Norway, and would have registered a sensational assist if Endrick had not fluffed his lines in the second half. Brazil have plenty of problems but he is not among them, and he can go home with his head held high.
9. Aymeric Laporte — Spain/Athletic Club (+3)
Spain’s defence, still yet to concede after five matches at this World Cup, deserves top-10 recognition having shut down Portugal in the round of 16. Laporte is the leader of that back line, polished enough to enhance their possession game and physical enough to handle opponents who try to take him on.
10. Pau Cubarsi — Spain/Barcelona (+9)
Laporte’s centre-back partner has performed with awesome composure for a 19-year-old. A faded Cristiano Ronaldo could get nothing out of him on Monday. Bigger tests are coming for Spain in this tournament, but the strength of the Laporte/Cubarsi defensive core should give them real confidence.
Cristiano Ronaldo could squeeze little change out of Pau Cubarsi (left) and Aymeric Laporte (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
11. Ousmane Dembele — France/Paris Saint-Germain (-3)
Dembele’s highs at this World Cup have been very high, but on his quieter days he still looks like a slightly uncomfortable fit shunted out to the right flank of France’s attack. Paraguay largely shut him down, though he never stopped trying to make an impact.
12. Ismael Saibari — Morocco/Bayern Munich (-3)
The strength of Morocco’s collective has become clearer in the knockout phase, and Saibari has not been as prominent as during the group matches, but the fluidity of his movement and combination play in the final third remains integral to their attack. He departed the last-16 victory against Canada early through injury and will be a big miss against France.
The 4 players dominating the World Cup Golden Boot race
Dean Jones
13. Dayot Upamecano — France/Bayern Munich (+1)
Upamecano has been ever-present at the heart of a French defence that has been highly impressive in its own right, though not quite as impenetrable as that of Spain. He defends in space better than just about anyone and passes the ball reliably too.
14. William Saliba — France/Arsenal (+7)
It is only right to have Saliba next to his regular national-team partner Upamecano, who sits one spot above him by virtue of having made one more appearance in this tournament. He can often fly under the radar, as the best defenders do, frequently snuffing out danger before it has a chance to truly develop.
Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba swarm around Sweden’s Viktor Gyokeres (Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
15. Diogo Costa — Portugal/Porto (+3)
Portugal may be out but Costa further enhanced his reputation in the last-16 loss against Spain, making a series of excellent saves before substitute Mikel Merino managed to sneak the ball under him for the game’s only goal in the final minutes. He should get more opportunities to avenge this disappointment with his national side.
16. Lamine Yamal — Spain/Barcelona (same)
The wait goes on to see Yamal at his fully operational best in this World Cup, but even in this relatively limited condition, he still commands more defensive attention than most and he gave Nuno Mendes plenty to think about on Monday before the PSG man left the field injured.
17. Julian Quinones — Mexico/Al Qadsiah (+6)
Quinones took his World Cup goal tally to four by lashing a loose ball into the roof of the net against England. He was Mexico’s primary attacking threat from the left flank throughout the tournament and helped push one of the big contenders to the brink at the Azteca.
Julian Quinones was Mexico’s principal attacking threat at the finals (Rodrigo Oropeza / AFP via Getty Images)
18. Leandro Trossard — Belgium/Arsenal (+7)
Trossard may no longer be needed by Arsenal but he is as important to Belgium as he has ever been. He laid on one goal for Charles De Ketelaere in a 4-1 dismantling of the USMNT in the round of 16 and consistently commanded the attention of multiple defenders, creating space and opportunities for his team-mates.
19. Declan Rice — England/Arsenal (-2)
England’s first goal against Mexico sprang from a trademark Rice surge with the ball. Aside from that moment, Sunday night was not his best World Cup performance, though he certainly did his bit to help ensure Thomas Tuchel’s side withstood a late Mexican siege.
20. Mikel Oyarzabal — Spain/Real Sociedad (-9)
Guilty of a terrible miss when played clean through by Dani Olmo, which would have prised open Portugal much earlier in the game, and was outshone by substitutes Ferran Torres and Merino. But that was an aberration for Oyarzabal in this World Cup, and he remains key to Spain.
21. Rodri — Spain/Manchester City (re-entry)
Spain’s defensive success also owes much to the presence of Rodri in front of their back four. Portugal found it very difficult to progress the ball through the middle of the pitch whenever they approached his zone of influence, and his possession passing is as reliable as ever.
Rodri is back on our list after Spain’s win in the Iberian Derby (Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)
22. Roberto Alvarado — Mexico/Guadalajara (+2)
Could not add to his three World Cup assists against England, but contributed to the waves of Mexican attacks with his tidy left-footed distribution. His form at this tournament has raised his profile outside his homeland significantly, and deservedly so.
23. Pedri — Spain/Barcelona (-10)
Pedri has been steady rather than spectacular at this tournament, but his struggles against Portugal contributed to Spain’s overall lack of creation. More will be required of him against Belgium in the quarter-finals, and certainly beyond that if they win on Friday.
24. Bruno Guimaraes — Brazil/Newcastle (-14)
Saw one of the worst penalties in recent World Cup history saved by Orjan Nyland and also spent long stretches of Brazil’s last-16 tie watching Norway pass the ball around. A disappointing end to what had been an impressive individual World Cup.
Bruno Guimaraes endured a dismal end to an otherwise impressive World Cup (Mauro Pimentel/AFP via Getty Images)
25. Ismaila Sarr — Senegal/Crystal Palace (-3)
Sarr’s huge contribution to Senegal’s showing, and his sensational round-of-32 goal against Belgium, still merit consideration here in the twenties. He will likely slip down our list as the tournament progresses through its final stages, but could stick in the top 50 with his body of work up to Senegal’s elimination.
26. Folarin Balogun — United States/Monaco (-6)
The unwitting centre of a political firestorm, Balogun did ultimately start for USMNT against Belgium, and it didn’t really matter. He is a talented No 9 who was, perhaps understandably, below his best in that last-16 tie and at the tip of a team who collectively didn’t answer the bell.
27. Brahim Diaz — Morocco/Real Madrid (re-entry)
Two assists against Canada doubled Diaz’s tally for this World Cup. Along with Hakimi, he makes Morocco’s right flank arguably the most dangerous left in the tournament, and shutting them both down will surely be a priority for Deschamps and France.
Brahim Diaz has returned to our top 50 (Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images)
28. Luis Diaz — Colombia/Bayern Munich (same)
Diaz scored his penalty in a tense last-16 shootout against Switzerland, but could not provide the cutting edge that Colombia so desperately needed in that match or in this World Cup more generally, where he was well below his Bayern best.
29. Anthony Gordon — England/Barcelona (+17)
Gordon appears to have arrived at this World Cup. Having come off the bench to assist Kane twice against DR Congo, he showcased his exceptional motor to pounce on a loose ball and draw a foul from Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel and earn England a priceless penalty.
30. Elliot Anderson — England/Manchester City (+1)
Fresh from formally completing a £116million ($153m) transfer from Nottingham Forest to City, Anderson was the better of England’s double midfield pivot against Mexico, even if Rice has narrowly edged him so far in this World Cup. Both are irreplaceable for Tuchel.
Thomas Tuchel has learned to lean on Elliot Anderson and Anthony Gordon (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
31. Marc Cucurella — Spain/Real Madrid (+1)
Cucurella’s clever attacking movement was not as impactful against Portugal as it had been against Austria in the previous round, but he managed to keep former Chelsea team-mate Pedro Neto largely in check defensively. He usually rises to the big occasion, and those are coming for Spain.
32. Pedro Porro — Spain/Tottenham (+10)
Porro has now cemented his starting spot at right-back over Marcos Llorente and was good without being spectacular against Portugal, dovetailing nicely with Yamal and forcing Joao Felix to pitch in with much more defending than he is accustomed to doing.
33. Gregor Kobel — Switzerland/Borussia Dortmund (new entry)
Switzerland’s major-tournament viability is always built on not conceding goals, and having one of Europe’s best goalkeepers helps. Kobel had his moments in the 120 minutes against Colombia and then stepped up in the shootout, almost saving Jaminton Campaz’s penalty before flying to his right to superbly deny Cucho Hernandez.
Gregor Kobel was excellent in Switzerland’s shootout victory over Colombia (Don MacKinnon/AFP via Getty Images)
34. Martin Odegaard — Norway/Arsenal (re-entry)
Odegaard was not Norway’s spark in the final third against Brazil but he did lead by example, keeping the ball to minimise the threat of transition attacks and also helping to take the sting out of the game once Haaland had done his damage. His poise is invaluable to this team.
35. Youri Tielemans — Belgium/Aston Villa (-2)
Tielemans was good rather than great in Belgium’s win over the USMNT, but still retains credit for leading their remarkable fightback against Senegal in the round of 32. Coach Rudi Garcia will need more of the same from him against Spain in the last eight tomorrow.
36. Joshua Kimmich — Germany/Bayern Munich (-10)
Kimmich was Germany’s best performer at this World Cup, not that it ultimately counted for much. Whether or not he remains their captain under Julian Nagelsmann’s successor, which is likely to be Jurgen Klopp, he needs to be a full-time midfielder at international level moving forward.
37. Davinson Sanchez — Colombia/Galatasaray (same)
Sanchez helped keep out a relatively limited Swiss attack to ensure that Colombia made it to penalties despite their profligacy in front of goal. Once there, he crashed his own spot kick off the crossbar, but overall he had a good tournament.
Davinson Sanchez endured a painful end to a fine personal World Cup (Carl Recine/Getty Images)
38. Florian Wirtz — Germany/Liverpool (-11)
Wirtz sticks around (for now) in our top 50 as the most reliable source of creation for a German attack that proved too easy for Paraguay to stifle in the round of 32. Three assists from four games is a pretty good return, though not a superstar-level contribution.
39. Andreas Schjelderup — Norway/Benfica (new entry)
Schjelderup came off the bench to give the ball to Haaland for both his goals against Brazil, and may have a case to start over Antonio Nusa going forward. If not, his skill in small spaces and eye for a pass make him a formidable weapon to hold in reserve.
40. Bradley Barcola — France/Paris Saint-Germain (-6)
Barcola continues to blow a little hot and cold at this World Cup, and did not offer much against Paraguay. But his blistering speed and direct instincts always need to be accounted for, and a potential quarter-final battle with PSG team-mate Hakimi is a mouth-watering prospect.
41. Yan Diomande — Ivory Coast/RB Leipzig (-12)
Diomande’s performances with Ivory Coast faded a little as their tournament progressed, but he carried a consistent threat that often lifted those around him. One assist and no goals in four starts, however, highlights that the 19-year-old is only scratching the surface of his talent.
Farewell, Yan Diomande. It was fun while it lasted (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
42. Cody Gakpo — Netherlands/Liverpool (-12)
Gakpo’s early World Cup performances for a flawed Netherlands team still carry weight, not least his dramatic goal and emotional reaction against Morocco in the round of 32, days after announcing the tragic loss of his son Elijah.
43. Charles De Ketelaere — Belgium/Atalanta (new entry)
De Ketelaere’s presence at the tip of Belgium’s attack has at times felt like a mere placeholder for Romelu Lukaku’s cameos off the bench, but he put the USMNT defence to the sword with two goals before poking the ball away from goalkeeper Matt Freese for Hans Vanaken to add a third.
44. Orjan Nyland — Norway/Free agent (new entry)
Nyland is a 35 year old, unattached goalkeeper (his contract at Sevilla expired last month) who improved his market value with a heroic display against Brazil in the round of 16. He read Guimaraes’ penalty perfectly, made several other key saves and even managed to distract Neymar from the ticking clock in the final minutes.
The veteran Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland is looking for a new club (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
45. Bukayo Saka — England/Arsenal (re-entry)
Saka marked his second start of this World Cup with a really intelligent assist against Mexico, floating a right-footed cross perfectly into the path of Bellingham. He has played fewer than 200 minutes overall as England manage him carefully following an Achilles injury, but he is still productive.
46. Enzo Fernandez — Argentina/Chelsea (re-entry)
There were shades of Hernan Crespo in the looping, stoppage-time header he scored to break Egyptian hearts. Fernandez is part of an Argentina midfield that is still struggling to control matches against inferior opposition, but his on-ball quality is clear and he is always a threat to score in the box.
47. Johan Manzambi — Switzerland/Freiburg (-12)
Manzambi was sorely missed against Colombia and the severity of the knee injury he sustained in training to knock him out of that match is not yet clear. It will be a huge shame if one of the World Cup’s breakout stars is not fit enough to feature against a formidable but highly vulnerable Argentina on Saturday (early Sunday in the UK).
48. Matheus Cunha — Brazil/Manchester United (-9)
Brazil never found their attacking rhythm against a sturdy Norway side and Cunha endured his most frustrating game of the tournament, registering just one shot off target before being replaced with Endrick before the hour mark. He is a very good player, but is he a viable No 9?
Is Matheus Cunha a No 9? (Elsa/Getty Images)
49. Malik Tillman — United States/Bayer Leverkusen (-8)
Tillman scored a free kick for the second successive game in USMNT colours, this time with the aid of a huge deflection. That goal brought the co-hosts level against Belgium for all of two minutes before the gulf in class between the sides became clear, but he was still the best of an underwhelming bunch.
50. Cristian Romero — Argentina/Tottenham (new entry)
Never more than one unfavourable VAR review away from a red card, Romero remains a rollercoaster of a watch. He and Lisandro Martinez are also struggling to keep opponents out, but he can always venture up to the other end of the pitch and score a vital goal, as he did in extra time to help beat Cape Verde in the round of 32 and then to ignite Argentina’s comeback against Egypt.