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Lionel Messi
/ Argentina
(Golden Boot odds 7/1)
Messi did not enjoy his best season ever, but for a player of
his class and ability, that still puts him far above most of his
contemporaries. It feels like he has been around for ages, but at 26
he is just peaking as a player. In La Liga he scored 28 goals in 31
games, despite being out with injury for a spell. Former coach Pep
Guardiola claimed he is the most efficient player he has ever seen,
who never showboats: he does what needs to be done to score
goals. Argentina packs a punch going forward, and with Messi’s
goals, will go close to winning on their hated neighbour’s patch.
Cristiano Ronaldo
/ Portugal:
(Golden Boot odds 14/1)
Ronaldo has enjoyed another breath-taking season, scoring 31
goals in 31 La Liga matches. For the past few seasons Ronaldo
has chaffed under the title of Second Best Player in the World,
but thanks to Barcelona’s stuttering form and injury, Messi was
surpassed this season by the Portuguese forward. Perhaps the
moment that pushed Ronaldo ahead was the extra-time penalty
he scored in the Champions’ League Final. Able to score with
either foot, powerful in the air and packing a laser-guided free
kick, Ronaldo should almost single-handedly push Portugal further
in the competition than their otherwise average squad would
allow. But their limitations may tell, leaving Ronaldo less matches
to claim the Golden Boot.
Neymar
/ Brazil
(Golden Boot odds 12/1)
Neymar’s long-awaited move from home club Santos to Barcelona
has not been an unqualified success. His form has been patchy
and at times he seemed to struggle in his new surrounds. A
Goals win matches, and that is why football’s top strikers are paid seven figure sums to hit
the back of the net. The World Cup is the premier sporting event in football, and there are
few better opportunities for players to acquire legendary status than by scoring the winning
goal. Here are the men who will be vying for the coveted Golden Boot this summer...
THE DANGER MEN OF THEWORLD CUP
SHARP
SHOOTERS
BY TIMOTHY MOTTRAM
PHOTO: © CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON, 2011
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