The World Cup journey continues as 32 teams have battled their way to leave 16 standing. This thrilling competition has brought incredible moments, from contender flexes to dramatic upsets. Let’s revisit The Athletic’s ranking of the top 50 players at the tournament, informed by their player ratings model. It provides an objective assessment of each player’s contribution in matches. The list remains unchanged at 50 names, and players won’t disappear with team eliminations—however, they may get surpassed by others given more time on the field.
Top 3 Players
Our top trio from the group stage—Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Junior—gives insight into how their performances have shaped the rankings thus far.
1. Lionel Messi — Argentina/Inter Miami (position unchanged)
Messi delivers again with an iconic moment against Cape Verde, scoring his 20th World Cup goal—an achievement unmatched. Although Vozinha denied him a hat-trick, Messi provided a match-winning assist.
2. Kylian Mbappe — France/Real Madrid (position unchanged)
Mbappe’s speed and movement challenged Sweden, scoring two brilliant goals. He continues to be a central figure with an excellent supporting cast.
3. Michael Olise — France/Bayern Munich (+2)
Olise dazzled against Sweden with two assists and a near-spectacular scissor kick that almost earned the goal of the tournament.
Players Climbing the Ranks
4. Harry Kane — England/Bayern Munich (+2)
Kane stepped up against DR Congo, surpassing Pele in the all-time scoring chart. His header and classic finish were critical.
5. Achraf Hakimi — Morocco/Paris Saint-Germain (+2)
Hakimi influenced Morocco’s attack versus the Netherlands. Despite a penalty miss in the shootout, he showcased strong performance.
6. Vinicius Junior — Brazil/Real Madrid (-3)
Vinicius Junior impressed against Japan, contributing with constant pressure even if he didn’t score.
7. Erling Haaland — Norway/Manchester City (+1)
Haaland exhibited exceptional movement, clinching Norway’s victory over Ivory Coast, advancing to face Brazil.
Notable Performances
8. Ousmane Dembele — France/Paris Saint-Germain (-4)
Dembele took a supportive role against Sweden but remains ready to step up.
9. Ismael Saibari — Morocco/Bayern Munich (+1)
Saibari secured Morocco’s win over the Netherlands with a decisive penalty in the shootout.
10. Bruno Guimaraes — Brazil/Newcastle (+25)
Guimaraes contributed significantly against Japan, threading the pass for Martinelli’s winning goal.
Other players, such as Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain/Real Sociedad), Aymeric Laporte (Spain/Athletic Club), and Pedri (Spain/Barcelona) have further bolstered their positions with strong defensive and attacking contributions. As the tournament progresses, performances from Declan Rice (England/Arsenal), Diogo Costa (Portugal/Porto), and Lamine Yamal (Spain/Barcelona) remain pivotal as teams brace for upcoming encounters.
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