The biggest event in soccer begins this week, as 32 national teams compete for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This promises to be a spectacular tournament, one that will feature some of the biggest names in the sport itself, ready to demonstrate their stellar talents and abilities in the quest for ultimate success.
The World Cup Golden Boot
While the iconic World Cup trophy itself is the biggest prize, it is not the only award on offer. There are two other prestigious awards available, one being the Golden Ball awarded to the player voted as the best performer, while the other is the Golden Boot presented to the top goalscorer. The latter always generates the most interest and excitement, given that after all, the best path to winning matches and the tournament itself is by scoring lots of goals.
SBO has published a comprehensive guide covering World Cup top goalscorer betting, the market now offered by many of the leading international sportsbooks, as bettors aim to predict which attacking players will claim the coveted Golden Boot award. Highlighting the most competitive odds available, this resource is packed with insightful information, including detailed reviews for online betting sites where the market is available.
The granting of a top scorer award was first conceived at the 1982 World Cup, originally called the Golden Shoe, when it was first presented as an official award by FIFA. Since 2010 the name was changed to Golden Boot, seen as more fitting and reflective of the cleats worn by players. Now, let us focus on the players tipped for success at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Who the Bookies Are Backing
When it comes to the oddsmakers making their calculations, one player stands out head and shoulders above the rest, largely because he has already claimed the Golden Boot once before. England striker Harry Kane won the award at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, when his team reached the semi-finals. The Three Lions are tipped as contenders at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, which means that if he is able, Kane will also be targeting the top marksman award.
Not far behind in the betting stakes is French striker Kylian Mbappé, already one of the highest-paid soccer players on the planet feared for his lightning speed and lethal precision finishing. The form of Mbappé will be absolutely vital, should the French wish to retain the title they won in 2018. Interestingly, he will celebrate his 24th birthday on 20 December, which is coincidentally the same day the 2022 World Cup final will be played.
Third on the list according to many leading bookmakers, 34-year-old Karim Benzema was voted Ballon d’Or winner in 2022, as fellow professionals and journalists rated him as the best player in world soccer. Having enjoyed a fantastic last couple of years, which also included Benzema returning to the French national team after an exile dating back to 2015, his exceptional vision and ability could make all the difference for Les Bleus at the World Cup.
Legendary Goal Kings
Making the 2022 FIFA World Cup even more special, this could be the last international tournament featuring two living legends of the modern game. Insofar as dominating the sporting media headlines is concerned, no two soccer players have enjoyed more success than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Both of these remarkable talents have won all there is to win in soccer, aside from one particular trophy, which just happens to be the World Cup.
Lionel Messi has already begun planning his life after retirement from soccer, indicating that regardless of how far Argentina can go at the 2022 World Cup, this will be his last hurrah with the national team. But having won the 2021 Copa America with the Albiceleste selection last year, his first major international tournament win, Messi will undoubtedly be hungry for more success, eager to bow out with goals galore and the biggest prize of them all.
Finally, nobody has netted more international goals than Cristiano Ronaldo, who at the time of writing, holds the official world scoring record with 117 goals in 191 appearances for Portugal. In what could be a last World Cup tournament appearance for the 37-year-old, albeit without any confirmation from the player himself, laying hands on the trophy in 2022 would be his crowning glory.
