Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe have been trading blows all tournament long. Both have eight goals and counting. Both have their teams in the World Cup semifinals. And according to Alexi Lalas, there’s still a clear frontrunner for the Golden Ball.
The former USMNT defender turned FOX analyst laid out his rankings on his State of the Union podcast Sunday. He didn’t overthink it. Mbappe sits at No. 1, Messi at No. 2, and Jude Bellingham rounds out the top three. But Lalas also threw in some names that might surprise you, including a guy who’s already been eliminated.
“It’s the usual suspects that we talked about here: Kane, Olise, Dembele. I would even put, even though he’s out of the tournament, Haaland,” Lalas said. “But then my top three, I think, at this point right now, number three would be Bellingham, number two would be Messi, and still number one is going to be Mbappe.”
Two generational players chasing a second ring
Mbappe won it all with France in 2018. Messi finally got his in 2022 with Argentina. Now they’re both back in the semifinals, still perfect — no draws, no losses. France has been the most dominant team in the tournament. Argentina has had to grind through some real adversity in the knockout rounds.
Both teams are two wins away from a second World Cup title. That gives the Golden Ball conversation some extra weight. The award usually goes to a player whose team goes deep, and these two are the biggest reasons their squads are still alive.
What’s next
France faces Spain on July 14 at 3 p.m. ET. Argentina takes on England the next day at the same time. If both win, we’re looking at a final that could decide more than just the trophy. It could settle the Golden Ball debate once and for all.
Or maybe not. Lalas already has his mind made up. And right now, Mbappe is still the guy.
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