On July 14th, the FIFA World Cup semifinals are about to begin. Before the matches, "The Athletic" released its editorial board's selection of the top 50 players of this FIFA World Cup so far. Messi ranked first, followed closely by Mbappe and Bellingham, but Cristiano Ronaldo was not on the list.
TA's Top 50 Stars of the FIFA World Cup (before the semifinals):
1. Messi, Argentina
2. Mbappe, France
3. Bellingham, England
4. Kane, England
5. Haaland, Norway
6. Olise, France
7. Dembele, France
8. Hakimi, Morocco
9. Vini Jr., Brazil
10. Laporte, Spain
11. Cubarsí, Spain
12. Upamecano, France
13. Saliba, France
14. Lamine Yamal, Spain
15. Sabiri, Morocco
16. Diogo Costa, Portugal
17. Quiñones, Mexico
18. Rodri, Spain
19. Anderson, Scotland
20. Oyarzabal, Spain
21. Rice, England
22. Trossard, Belgium
23. Gordon, England
24. Alvarado, Mexico
25. Pedri, Spain
26. Guimaraes, Brazil
27. Sarr, Senegal
28. Balogun, USA
29. Brahim, Morocco
30. Porro, Spain
31. Luis Díaz, Colombia
32. Schjelderup, Norway
33. Lisandro Martínez, Argentina
34. Doué, France
35. Cucurella, Spain
36. Kobel, Switzerland
37. Ødegaard, Norway
38. De Ketelaere, Belgium
39. Rabiot, France
40. Mac Allister, Argentina
41. Merino, Spain
42. Saka, England
43. Tielemans, Belgium
44. Kimmich, Germany
45. Davinson Alexis, Colombia
46. Enzo, Argentina
47. Wirtz, Germany
48. Barcola, France
49. Diomande, Ivory Coast
50. Álvarez, Argentina
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Ryamx
0
and France🇫🇷 will take World Cup 2026 Viva Viva
End of the road today
Fimeimnopr
0
CR7 did not perform well at his best but for a shortlist of 20 players haaaaaa…..It’s extremely disgrace and bias at its best
epjo
1
FIFA? this statistic based on what.
epjo
1
cr7 can't be their with immediate effects by FIFA
jahprince
0
Too byass mbappe stats is the best in the World Cup with 8 goals and 3 assists
If them beat England then you can say yes Messi carried his team spearhead to the finals
AbSixers
0
Daft. We are considering present records i.e what unfolding at the WCup right now not the player's history or predictions of their future. Assists and goals together, Messi edges Mbappe.
did you even go to school at all before calling somebody. Daft, you did not read to understand. and I was actually replying to someone comment. and if is it G/A in this currency world Cup. mbappe is ahead of Messi with a assist
Wozbdnty
1
LIONEL MESSI ON FIR
podinptuyz
0
Remember that form he has was against low teams
Algeria won AFCON in 2019.
Danabdmrst
0
GREATEST PLAYER
Danabdmrst
0
who votes these ???? Messi on top haha Infantino son Always ahead
CRYNALDOGS
podinptuyz
0
am Mubarak twine from Uganda Kampala wakiso
Tukuyambe tutya?
Danabdmrst
0
if I may ask Messi which game performed well against which country mmmmmmmm FIFA's prince
Lol 😆 crynaldogs 🤣
bazbdimpu
0
can Argentina win a match without Messi?? Messi has won more MOTM award in this world than mbappe Argentina top scorer in Messi France top scorer in mbappe Argentina top assist is Messi France top scorer is olise Argentina top dribbler is Messi France top dribbler is barcola Argentina top crosser is Messi France top crosser is dembele why is Messi a problem to you cr7 fans it is normal for you to like whoever football you choose to like. but it is abnormal for you not to accept the number i am a die hard Messi fan, but I cannot deny the fact that mbappe own world cup. because if mbappe play 6 world Cup like Messi, he'll definitely break Messi world cup record. so to me mbappe own world cup
Daft. We are considering present records i.e what unfolding at the WCup right now not the player's history or predictions of their future. Assists and goals together, Messi edges Mbappe.
bazbdimpu
0
It’s a joke,even olise dominated in this World Cup than Messi
He dominated in your wet dreams. How many goals did Olise score and how many assists.
EdisonBaby
2
Romero should be there, he scored decisive goals for Argentina.
Kozabnrz
3
if I may ask Messi which game performed well against which country mmmmmmmm FIFA's prince
Grayyyy
1
where's japheth 🇵🇹🇵🇹 or did japheth not participate in this tournament
Yutbcelmtu
2
a shortlist without CR7 and expect it to be legit? conspiracy at its best
CR7 should be in the list of 50 worst players in the tournament. would probably be between number 40 and 50
Kozabnrz
2
kkkkkkkkk FIFA's prince is on top buyt I'm not surprised 😯😲😯😲
neecstuy
0
You no get eye
na eye dey pain you.
neecstuy
0
Lisandro Martinez
that one still dey play for them?
Aminukhair
1
a shortlist without CR7 and expect it to be legit? conspiracy at its best
bapdenty
0
no single man UTD player on the list
You no get eye
lisbdeinoz
0
Too byass mbappe stats is the best in the World Cup with 8 goals and 3 assists
👍👍👍👍
lisbdeinoz
1
who votes these ???? Messi on top haha Infantino son Always ahead
Wesaeorsuy
1
Some are asking why Messi is #1 Of course he is the best performer The second best performer in his team is #33 yet they are in semi finals.
Vaecimprst
0
no single man UTD player on the list
Lisandro Martinez
neecstuy
0
no single man UTD player on the list
bezcekprt
1
Question what is Diogo Costa Doing their ... there alot of better GK than him in this tournament
Tomdeisyz
1
where is my siuuuu???
Nedabdlsuz
3
Imagine! A 39 year old topping the list of the best players in the World Cup!!! How could this be possible? Do you think this is normal? Messi is an entirely different species.
fakentuyz
1
neymar
AFerCYQJ4148
0
when GOD favours you no human being can deny you bro. without mnappe can France win matches?
Big yes….
Suarezzy
1
Remember that form he has was against low teams
same low teams Ronaldo faced
Sopdkpruz
4
Messi is always at the top! Long live the Goat 🐐
jahprince
1
how old is Messi how many goals and assist. guy make una leave hatred aside.e dey play for mls still get this kind of form.God abeg oh.
Remember that form he has was against low teams
Rhythmblazeabrams
0
Too byass mbappe stats is the best in the World Cup with 8 goals and 3 assists
how old is Messi how many goals and assist. guy make una leave hatred aside.e dey play for mls still get this kind of form.God abeg oh.
Zitcmnptuz
1
even Alex Bueno 15 Spain 🇪🇸 is doing good job there then majority
bueciksy
1
1
Puoacemost
1
am Mubarak twine from Uganda Kampala wakiso
Puoacemost
1
and France🇫🇷 will take World Cup 2026 Viva Viva
Puoacemost
2
my number one is mbape
Yoyabceipr
1
To be candid, though am a CR7 fan but he's not deserve to be on the list.
jahprince
0
Too byass mbappe stats is the best in the World Cup with 8 goals and 3 assists
bwambamo
3
messi ahead of Mbambe.....Fifa at it again
Arsenal1400
2
CR7 fans will definitely say it was rigged
kg-4991
1
Licha is at 33rd position. Are you fuqing kidding me. .............. Biased FIFA thinks it's easy to play as a defender and still affect the game significantly in attack. . He should be in top 10 ahead of Hakimi or Vini. . Same for Cubarasi and Laporte.
Mezdkmsyz
0
Messi will walk the entire 90mins and at the end they will give him all the credit
Messi walking is more dangerous than Ronaldo running 😂
Mezdkmsyz
0
It’s a joke,even olise dominated in this World Cup than Messi
Yeah because u watch football with the back of ur head😂
Mezdkmsyz
0
How is Messi ranked above mbappe in this World Cup. This is why everyone thinks Messi is favored by some individuals. They keep giving people a reason to doubt the credibility of the polls . What’s the basis?
You’re mad who comes close to Messi in this tournament 😂 Ronaldo fanfoolers😂😂