Five potential Golden Boot winners at this summer’s World Cup
According to the bookies, this summer’s race for the World Cup Golden Boot looks set to be an exclusive contest between the usual big names. However, long and tiring club seasons and high expectations could see these obvious contenders struggle in Brazil. Below are five alternative top scorers for the World Cup.
Given their respective records in front of goal in recent seasons, a tournament featuring Diego Costa, Luis Suarez and Radamel Falcao wouldn’t usually leave much room for dark horses or outsiders to squeeze ahead of them in striking stakes, but injuries have placed questions marks over all three.
Dissatisfaction at club level, and the middling form that comes with it, could hold back Edinson Cavani while the historical underachievement of the Ivory Coast at past World Cups could put paid to Didier Drogba and Wilifried Bony’s hopes of finishing top scorers.
Tight competition could strangle the individual qualities of Cristiano Ronaldo, Alexis Sanchez and Robin van Persie, with the Ballon d’Or winner bereft of the team mates capable of matching his ability, and the latter two stars likely to suffer due to half-fit or absent key players, particularly in midfield behind them.
Instead, attention should turn to the less heralded goal scorers and nations for inspiration regarding who could snatch an unlikely pole position in the scoring charts at this year’s World Cup.