World Cup Ballon d'Or contenders

Neymar's hopes of bolstering his Ballon d'Or claims ended while Brazil bowed out however lots of stars continue to be at the 2018 world Cup.

This world Cup has proved adept at tearing up the excellent laid plans of many-fancied teams and individuals, perhaps none greater so than Neymar.

The Brazil forward's world-record transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain previous  August was extensively viewed as an attempt to push his Ballon d'Or credentials away from Lionel Messi's significant shadow.

A prolific, if injury curtailed, debut season in Paris did not harm his possibilities however neither was it a definitive pitch to end Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's 10-year duopoly on the subject of football's most coveted individual prize.

The possibility created by Argentina and Portugal's last-sixteen exits was not grasped by Neymar as he turned in a frustrating show in the 2-1 quarter-final defeat to Belgium.

What is greater, the extensive-open remaining field in Russia features players who, if they perform decisively in a triumphing cause, can have demonstrably better Ballon d'Or credentials than Neymar and push the big; harder than they have been at any level over the past decade.

Right here, we take a look at the contenders.

Eden hazard – Belgium

There has been no doubting the superstar attacker roving from the left-hand side during Belgium's stirring victory over Brazil as He conclusively outplayed Neymar. The Chelsea superstar has been involved in 14 goals in his last 14 internationals, with 8 goals and 6 assists. continue that form into the final week of the tournament and those real Madrid rumours will virtually begin to rumble again.

Kylian Mbappe – France

Neymar's wingman at Paris Saint-Germain, in Russia Mbappe has underlined his recognition as one of the most thrilling players on earth and finished as France's most powerful attacking threat. He gained a penalty and scored twice to quit Messi's dream in an outstanding showing that illuminated the 4-3 mystery against Argentina.  three goals in general suggest only Pele has scored more as a teenager at a world Cup back in 1958. Mbappe has the whole thing to maintain working in such rarefied company.

Kevin De Bruyne – Belgium

Arguably shackled through a deep-lying position in midfield at some point of Belgium's first 4 matches, De Bruyne was unleashed towards Brazil and the beating heart of Roberto Martinez's team did not disappoint. A typically luxurious strike proved decisive from the Manchester city superstar, who was the best player in Pep Guardiola's record-breaking team previous  season. Like some of the others listed, the lack of a definitive Champions League campaign may want to act against De Bruyne in the Ballon d'Or reckoning.

Antoine Griezmann – France

Mbappe might be supplying the raw thrills however Griezmann is over again proving to be France's positive element at the business end of a major tournament. Beginning together with his run to the Golden Boot at Euro 2016, Griezmann now has seven goals in his last six knockout games for Les Bleus. After a brace in Atletico Madrid's Europa League final win over Marseille, firing France to their 2nd world Cup would cap a glittering yr for the newly contracted 27-year-old.

Harry Kane – England

Certain, there are penalties and set-piece goals aplenty in his handsome tournament haul of six, but it is time to stop pretending those goals one way or the other count for less. Kane is the nearest instance of a guaranteed performer England have had in a generation. In 2017, he outscored Messi and Ronaldo. If the Tottenham star ends 52 years of hurt for the 3 Lions he would occupy a dizzying place in the football pantheon.

Luka Modric – Croatia

Croatia's elegant inspiration and the shrewd intellect that guides real Madrid's bombast, Modric's body of work over the course of his career sets him aside from the other more youthful men in this list. The 32-year-old has scored two times from open play and two times more – just about – during penalty shootout triumphs in Russia and at times appeared to be dragging his flagging team-mates in the direction of that conclusion single-handedly during the 2-2 quarter-final slog against the hosts. A 4-time Champions League winner, few would begrudge Modric crowning Croatia's golden generation in style.