At this point, who is the favorite for the Golden Ball?

[Cassano]

One ofoKane, Hazard, Kante or Modric. Not sure, depends on how far each get.

 

[gary69]

Same for me, Hazard, Modric, Kane and Kante. Hard to see anybody else from the first three countries, but if somebody from France makes a massive offensive contribution in the semis, he might edge out Kante.

 

[Evilo]

Mbappe, Kante ant Pogba are possible winners for France. Griez if he wakes up for the last two games.

 

[Havre]

Kane got to play ridiculously well in the last 2 to win. Been OK, but nothing close to deserving this award (he might of course end up top scorer).

For Modric to lose now in my opinion. Realistically only see Hazard taking it from him. Kante has been great, but those kind of players rarely win these kind of awards (or never).

 

[N o o d l e s]

Kane got to play ridiculously well in the last 2 to win. Been OK, but nothing close to deserving this award (he might of course end up top scorer).

For Modric to lose now in my opinion. Realistically only see Hazard taking it from him. Kante has been great, but those kind of players rarely win these kind of awards (or never).

Ya Modric or Hazard right now

 

[gary69]

Modric will win this.

 

[Evilo]

If France wins, Modric won't win and IMO shouldn't.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Modric will win this.

As he should mind you I don't think he's head and shoulders above everyone but he's the biggest reason why his team is in the final. That and subasic pk heroics. It has to go to someone playing in the final and France do not have a standout save for maybe Kante but they have been a strong unit.

 

[Ivan13]

If France wins, Modric won't win and IMO shouldn't.

He should and he will.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

If France wins, Modric won't win and IMO shouldn't.

Who do you have if France wins?

 

[Evilo]

Varane, Kante and Mbappe are all candidates. Heck, Lloris too.
And if Griez scores a brace or hattrick, he's back to being a candidate.

 

[Savant]

Who do you have if France wins?

100% Ngolo Kante if France wins.

 

[Ivan13]

As he should mind you I don't think he's head and shoulders above everyone but he's the biggest reason why his team is in the final. That and subasic pk heroics. It has to go to someone playing in the final and France do not have a standout save for maybe Kante but they have been a strong unit.

Kante is definetly the most deserving one of the French players, but sadly for him he doesn't have the narrative behind him.

 

[Evilo]

He should and he will.

Disagree.
Modric wasn't better than Kante or Varane in this WC and if he loses, there's absolutely no argument for him winning it, besides being the bigger name.
His team didn't exactly dominate the competition either (3 straight ET) with Modric delivering goal or assist left and right. His team is in the final because of team play, not him playing super-hero.

He's no more deserving than many french players, and he's in fact not more deserving than some of his teammates (Subasic comes to mind).

Of course, if he wins the final, then him or Subasic, or someone dominating the final. No argument there.
If he loses? There's no way he SHOULD win it.

 

[Ivan13]

Disagree.
Modric wasn't better than Kante or Varane in this WC and if he loses, there's absolutely no argument for him winning it, besides being the bigger name.
His team didn't exactly dominate the competition either (3 straight ET) with Modric delivering goal or assist left and right. His team is in the final because of team play, not him playing super-hero.

He's no more deserving than many french players, and he's in fact not more deserving than some of his teammates (Subasic comes to mind).

Of course, if he wins the final, then him or Subasic, or someone dominating the final. No argument there.
If he loses? There's no way he SHOULD win it.

Well I beleive the GB should be given to the best player in the WC, not the best player on the winning team.

 

[Evilo]

Well, what made Modric any better than Kante or Varane or Lloris?
Nothing.

In fact, I think Subasic has had a better WC than Modric.

 

[maclean]

These prizes are always as much about narrative as anything else. Gotta figure Modric is in the lead right now, but lots of room for other players to make their case tonight

 

[Ivan13]

Well, what made Modric any better than Kante or Varane or Lloris?
Nothing.

In fact, I think Subasic has had a better WC than Modric.

It's your prerogative to think that, just as it mine to disagree with it. Luka has dominated the midfield in all but one game where Denmark basically neutralized the midfield by punting the ball to Poulsen at all times.

 

[Evilo]

It's your prerogative to think that, just as it mine to disagree with it. Luka has dominated the midfield in all but one game where Denmark basically neutralized the midfield by punting the ball to Poulsen at all times.

And Kante dominated the midfield in every game of this tournament.
And Varane dominated defense throughout the tournament.
And Lloris and Subasic made superhuman saves that got their team to the final.

All of these are worthy candidates and Modric hasn't impressed more than them.

 

[Vasilevskiy]

Come on Evilo. Modric has been the boss of an overachieving team and been clearly the MVP of the tournament. Can't believe you are arguing that Lloris should get it over him.

If Kante wins it that would at least be somewhat OK, but aside from him...

 

[Blender]

Modric for Croatia if they win, Kante for France if they win.

 

[Savant]

I think Kante has been the best player at this World Cup, followed by Hazard. Modric has had the best moments and will win if Croatia does.

 

[Evilo]

Come on Evilo. Modric has been the boss of an overachieving team and been clearly the MVP of the tournament. Can't believe you are arguing that Lloris should get it over him.

If Kante wins it that would at least be somewhat OK, but aside from him...

I'm arguing that Modric doesn't deserve anymore than the guys I listed and thus the final should decide who gets it.
Don't know what's hard to understand
Lloris had a totally dominant WC, can't believe you'd argue the contrary.

Croatia overachieved? How so? They beat (barely) inferior teams all the way to the final.
Croatia narroly escaped a disappointment (being beaten by an inferior team) and thanks to their team play and Subasic more than anything Modric has done.

Modric or Subasic if Croatia wins (give it to the player who was more key to winning that final).
Kante, Varane, Lloris and an outside shot for Mbappe and Griez depending as well on who dominates the final.

Seems totally fair.
Saying Modric should win if Croatia loses seems totally offbase to me.

 

[Gecklund]

Who votes on it? Not saying it’s deserved but if it’s the media Pogba definitely has a chance. They’ve been hyping him up like a god. He’s been fantastic but I don’t think he should be the favorite to win.

 

[Evilo]

Pogba has had a great WC, but I think the other french players I noted have a better chance.

In 2006, the best player was easily Zidane. Second was probably Vieira. They didn't win it.