Who Were the Standout Players of the 2022 FIFA World Cup?
Standout players emerge at every World Cup. Some arrive with the weight of expectation, their names already etched in football's collective memory. Others burst from obscurity, using the world's biggest stage to announce themselves to a global audience. The 2022 tournament in Qatar produced both kinds in abundance. Over four weeks of football, the competition delivered drama, controversy, and moments of individual brilliance that will be replayed for decades. From the opening matches to a final that will be remembered as one of the greatest ever played, certain individuals rose above the rest. They carried their teams, produced moments of magic when it mattered most, and in some cases, rewrote the history books.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are the individual awards at the World Cup decided?
The Golden Ball (best player), Golden Boot (top scorer) and Golden Glove (best goalkeeper) are decided by FIFA's Technical Study Group, a panel of football experts and former players. The Golden Boot is awarded based on goals scored, with assists used as a tiebreaker. The Golden Ball and Golden Glove are subjective awards based on the panel's assessment of performances throughout the tournament.
Which Nation won the 2022 World Cup?
The 2022 FIFA World Cup was won by Argentina, who defeated France 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw following extra time. It was Argentina's third World Cup title, following their victories in 1978 and 1986.
Where was the 2022 World Cup held?
However, the 2022 FIFA World Cup was held in Qatar. It was the first World Cup to be staged in the Middle East and the first to be played in November and December, rather than the traditional June - July slot, to avoid the extreme summer heat in the region.
The Standout Players of the 2022 FIFA World Cup
6. Luka Modrić: At 37 years old, Luka Modrić led Croatia to a third-place finish, adding another chapter to his remarkable international career. The midfield maestro was the heartbeat of his team, dictating play with his intelligence, vision and tireless work rate. Modrić won the Bronze Ball as the third-best player of the tournament. While he didn't have the goalscoring numbers of Messi or Mbappé, his influence on Croatia's run to the semi-finals was immense. He announced his retirement from international football after the tournament, bringing an end to a glorious era for Croatian football.
5. Julian Álvarez: While Messi provided the magic, Julian Álvarez provided the energy. The Manchester City forward scored four goals and was a constant threat to opposition defences with his relentless pressing and intelligent movement. Álvarez formed a potent partnership with Messi in attack, his direct running creating space for the captain to operate. His performances throughout the tournament were a revelation, and he finished as Argentina's second-highest scorer.
4. Enzo Fernández: At just 21 years old, Enzo Fernández announced himself as one of the most exciting young midfielders in world football. The Benfica midfielder won the Young Player of the Tournament award after a string of impressive performances. Fernández played in all seven of Argentina's matches, only making his senior international debut in September 2022. However, his standout moment came in the group stage against Mexico, when he came off the bench to score a stunning goal that sealed a 2-0 victory. Nevertheless, in the final, Fernández led all players for touches (118), successful passes (77) and tackles (10). His ten tackles were the most by any player in a World Cup final since Gennaro Gattuso in 2006. He beat competition from England's Jude Bellingham, Portugal's Gonçalo Ramos and France's Aurélien Tchouaméni to win the award.
3. Emiliano Martínez: Argentina's success was built on more than just Messi's brilliance. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was instrumental in his country's triumph, winning the Golden Glove award as the tournament's best goalkeeper. Martínez kept three clean sheets during the tournament and was the hero of Argentina's penalty shootout wins against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals and France in the final. In the final, he made a crucial save in stoppage time to deny Randal Kolo Muani and maintain the 3-3 deadlock, then saved Kingsley Coman's penalty in the shootout. His journey to the top was remarkable. In 2019, he was playing in the English Championship on loan with Reading, having failed to break through at Arsenal. By 2022, he was a world champion and the best goalkeeper on the planet.
2. Kylian Mbappé: If Messi was the tournament's leading man, Kylian Mbappé was its most devastating performer. The French forward scored eight goals to win the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer. His hat-trick in the final was only the second in World Cup final history, following Sir Geoff Hurst's treble for England in 1966. Additionally, Mbappé's performance in the final was extraordinary. With France trailing 2-0 with just ten minutes remaining, he scored two goals in quick succession to force extra time. After Messi put Argentina ahead again, Mbappé scored his third to make it 3-3, sending the match to penalties. Despite finishing on the losing side, Mbappé's tournament cemented his status as the heir to football's throne. He took his total World Cup goal tally to twelve, becoming the youngest player to reach double figures in the competition's history. He also finished second in the Golden Ball voting, ahead of Croatia's Luka Modric.
1. Lionel Messi: No discussion of the 2022 World Cup can begin anywhere other than with Lionel Messi. The Argentinian captain arrived in Qatar knowing this was almost certainly his final opportunity to win the trophy that had eluded him throughout his illustrious career. He left as a world champion, having delivered a performance that cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Additionally, Messi scored seven goals and provided three assists across Argentina's seven matches. He became the first player in World Cup history to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final of a single tournament. His two goals in the final against France were crucial, and his overall influence on the team was immeasurable. For his efforts, Messi won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. It was his second Golden Ball, having also won the award in 2014, making him the first player to achieve this feat. As Dan Kilpatrick would put it: "Destiny fulfilled, history made, legacy secured, immortality guaranteed".
Wind Up
Furthermore, the 2022 FIFA World Cup was a tournament defined by individual brilliance. Lionel Messi finally secured the trophy that had eluded him, delivering a series of performances that will be remembered as the crowning achievement of his career. Kylian Mbappé produced a hat-trick in the final that will be talked about for generations. Emiliano Martínez and Enzo Fernández emerged as heroes for Argentina. The 2022 World Cup was a showcase of the beautiful game at its finest, with standout players providing moments of magic that will endure in footballing folklore.
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