2014 World Cup Expert Picks & Predictions: Golden Boot Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers: While the focus of every player at the 2014 World Cup will be bringing home a title for their country, there is a prestigious individual honor at stake during the tournament, as well. The Golden Boot is awarded at the conclusion of each World Cup to the player that scores the most goals during the tournament. Obviously, team success certainly helps a player’s chance as a deep run for their team means more chances to score goals. Last year, Germany’s Thomas Muller, Spain’s David Villa and the Netherland’s Wesley Sneidjer tied for the honor with 5 goals each. Here is a closer look at some of the players that could take him the Golden Boot in Brazil in 2014.
The Favorites
He is a four-time World Player of the Year, and with 41 goals in 46 matches in the 2013-14 season to go along with a laundry list scoring records, there is little doubt that Lionel Messi is one of the top-two goal-scorers in the world and on top of his game. While Argentina has disappointed in the World Cup recently, Messi and company have a very manageable group this year. Meanwhile, the team’s offensive-minded attack and strong cast of supporting stars like Sergio Aguero should give Messi a great chance to win the Golden Boot.
Reigning World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo enters the World Cup on the heels of 2013-14 campaign that saw him deliver 51 goals in 47 appearances, including 17 goals in 11 Champions League matches. Ronaldo will headline an offensive for Portugal that will be designed to get him the ball in positions where he can work his magic. Plain and simple, Ronaldo is arguably the best individual talents in the world, and as the main cog on a team capable of winning the World Cup title, the Golden Boot is well within his reach.
He is not only one of the best pure goal-scorers in the game, but Neymar is also the top striker for a Brazil team that is favored to win the World Cup. With fellow stars like Fred and Thiago also on Brazil’s roster, opposing defenses won’t be able to focus only on Neymar. More importantly, Brazil will have the crowd on should be able to cruise to at least the semifinals. The likelihood of a deep run in the tournament couple with his individual talent makes Neymar a frontrunner for the Golden Boot.
The Dark Horses
After winning the Golden Boot in the South Africa World Cup, midfielder Thomas Muller could definitely repeat in Brazil. After all, Germany has a juggernaut offense that tallied 36 goals in 10 qualifying games, and Muller plays a big role in orchestrating the attack. Germany is one of the favorites to win the title in Brazil, and a deep run for arguably the best offensive team in the World Cup will definitely give Muller a shot at repeating.
He helped carry Real Madrid to a title, and striker Karim Benzema will now become the centerpiece of France’s attack in the World Cup. France is a team full of up-and-coming stars expected to win their group and potentially make a deep run, and Benzema should be the main goal-scorer for the attack. He netted two goals in France’s most-recent tune-up match, and he should continue to produce when the World Cup begins.
His ability to finish in traffic and score on long shots makes Luiz Suarez one of the best individual goal-scorers in the world. This season alone, he logged 31 goals in 33 games for Liverpool, and he was a dominant scorer in World Cup qualifying for Uruguay. The only reason he isn’t listed among the favorites for the Golden Boot is that he is nursing an injury that could sideline him for a game or at least force him to play at less than 100 percent.
The Sleepers
Luiz Suarez
He has been thrust into a prominent role in Belgium’s fast-paced attack, and despite only being just 21 years of age, Romelu Lukaku could end up snatching the Golden Boot. He had 15 goals in 31 Premier League appearances this year, and he found the pack of the net four times in Belgium’s last two friendlies. Meanwhile, Belgium has a great draw in pool play that could allow him to find the net several times right out of the gate. All the pieces are in place for Lukaku to have a big performance in the 2014 World Cup.
Although he got off to a sloppy start for Manchester City, forward Edin Dzeko delivered nine goals in 11 games to help his club win the Premier League title and tallied the second-most goals of any player in his region of World Cup qualifying. Dzeko will now be the main striker for a Bosnia & Herzegovina team that plays at a fast pace and wants to score goals. Dzeko and his team both look primed to make some noise in Brazil, and he could be a surprise contender for the Golden Boot.
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