The 2022 World Cup was a showcase for the world’s best player, for the greatest ever, and for ascendant young talents. Veterans tweaked their roles to benefit their team. Managers made big calls to benefit the collective over the individual.
A few of the players featured on this list were easy picks ahead of the tournament. Others have surprised on overachieving teams or unveiled their brilliance on the biggest stage of all, breaking out and potentially earning a blockbuster transfer.
There were a few difficult cuts to keep this at 10 players…
10) Jude Bellingham
Kicking off the tournament with a complete performance in England’s thumping of Iran, Jude Bellingham illustrated why he’s considered one of the best young players in the world.
Jude Bellingham has that elite mentality.#ITVFootball | #FifaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/RoucIx6gKH
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 10, 2022
As England look to the future under Gareth Southgate, Bellingham will be one of the first names on the team sheet.
His World Cup was, of course, cut short by England’s loss to France, but in just five matches, Bellingham excelled in all facets of the game.
9) Alexis Mac Allister
The rise of Alexis Mac Allister in 2022 has been phenomenal. At the start of the year, he had just two caps for Argentina, both of which came in 2019.
In Qatar, the Brighton midfielder did everything. He scored against Poland, and averaged two tackles plus interceptions and 1.3 key passes while completing 89% of his passes.
Integral for Argentina throughout, Mac Allister’s place in the history of this competition is secure too, thanks to his assist for Argentina’s second goal in the final.
8) Luka Modrić
Only Achraf Hakimi and midfield partner Mateo Kovačić made more tackles and interceptions combined than Luka Modrić.
Alongside his trademark brilliance on the ball, Modrić showed remarkable energy and work rate for a player in his late thirties.
Winning the Bronze Ball was a bit generous, but the former Tottenham midfielder again delivered a string of exceptional World Cup performances.
7) Sofyan Amrabat
Amid Morocco’s rise in World Cup winner odds, the stock of several of their players soared. Sofyan Amrabat was one such player, ranking joint-sixth in tackles and interceptions, and keeping the Morocco midfield ticking.
Less than 30% of earth is covered by land, the other 70% is covered by Sofyan Amrabat 🌍🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/XCyQPLkxsq
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 12, 2022
There were already rumours of a January transfer. Those are bound to be amplified in the coming weeks, with Amrabat excelling against some of the world’s elite midfielders.
Having only celebrated his 26th birthday in August, the best is yet to come from the Fiorentina man.
6) Antoine Griezmann
Utilised in a deeper midfield role, Antoine Griezmann looked like he had played in that position throughout his career. He led the competition with 3.1 expected assists, and he was tied with Lionel Messi for the most key passes on 21.
The creativity was a well-known part of Griezmann’s game, but he was also tireless out of possession, committing two tackles and clocking 1.1 interceptions per match.
5) Azzedine Ounahi
Angers midfielder Azzedine Ounahi was not a household name a few weeks ago. That has changed dramatically. Ounahi was a joy to watch throughout Morocco’s run.
Morocco spent a lot of time without the ball. In those phases of play, Ounahi was industrious and effective, posting 16 clearances across the tournament and regularly disrupting the opposition’s play.
Once Morocco had the ball, Ounahi shone. Able to weave past defenders and ride challenges, he opened up defences and drove the Atlas Lions forward.
4) Emiliano Martínez
When Randal Kolo Muani was through on goal in the 123rd minute of the final, France’s bench were beginning their celebrations. Emiliano Martínez made himself massive, spreading his limbs in all directions, to pull off the greatest save in World Cup history.
Final minute of extra time.
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 19, 2022
Tied at 3-3.
Kolo Muani through on goal.
France subs ready to storm the pitch.
Still can’t believe this save from Emi Martínez ❌ pic.twitter.com/IiQyYRW56t
Martínez’s position this high on the list is not about one stop, though. He denied Australia in the final seconds of the round of 16, and was the star in multiple penalty shootout wins with his bravado and pushing-the-limits mind games.
3) Joško Gvardiol
Already attracting some of Europe’s biggest clubs, Joško Gvardiol is one of the world’s most sought-after players following an exceptional World Cup display.
Gvardiol doesn’t turn 21 until January, yet he was a cut above every other defender in Qatar. When physicality was required, Gvardiol was a warrior. When tested on the ground, he was nimble and quick-footed.
A total of 37 clearances was seven more than anyone else, and he capped off his World Cup with a superb header in the third-place playoff.
2) Kylian Mbappé
The betting favourite for the Golden Boot won the award, but that honour alone does not begin to cover what Kylian Mbappé achieved in Qatar.
Mbappé scorched Australia and Denmark in the group stage. He was involved in all three goals in the round of 16 win over Poland. While quieter against England, his impact on the game and England’s tactics was evident.
◾ WC winner at 19
— ESPN India (@ESPNIndia) December 19, 2022
◾ WC finalist at 23
◾ Golden Boot winner
◾ A hat-trick in a WC final
◾ 1st man to score 7+ goals at a single WC since Ronaldo in 2002
◾ The most goals by a 23-year-old or younger in a single WC
Let's all take a moment to appreciate Kylian Mbappé 👏 pic.twitter.com/Wp8wPvGNMo
Morocco again did a solid job on Mbappé, but France progressed, setting the PSG star up to become just the second man ever to score a World Cup final hat-trick.
Mbappé was at the centre of so many of the World Cup highlights – his second final goal, in particular, will be replayed for decades to come.
1) Lionel Messi
At 35 years old, Lionel Messi led Argentina to their first World Cup triumph since 1986. Messi’s international career was laden with heartache until the last few years, but this winter’s tournament brought redemption for 2014.
Messi’s seven goals was only bettered by Mbappé (no other player scored more than four) and he was tied for the most assists with three.
This was a final shot at the ultimate prize for Messi, a final chance of the football-watching world to admire his unparalleled greatness. He delivered repeatedly for Argentina, wiping out the one hole on his incomparable CV.
