SAINT PETERSBURG, July 4 -- The early elimination of Germany, Argentina, Spain and Portugal has raised the prospect of an unfancied team lifting the World Cup trophy at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on July 15.
Such a scenario could mean that 2018 will bring a first-time Ballon d'Or winner, given that team success - whether at national or club level - is almost an unwritten pre-requisite for football's top individual honor.
We identify seven players still involved in Russia that could break the 10-year Ballon d'Or duopoly of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Luka Modric (Croatia)
His missed penalty against Denmark aside, Modric has been the driving force behind Croatia's foray into the last eight.
Playing in a more advanced position to the one he occupies at Real Madrid, Modric has been pivotal to his side's success with his vision, sense of space and one or two-touch passing.
He has also provided a scoring threat and netted the contender for goal of the tournament with a curling long-range effort against Argentina.
Modric was also the midfield architect in the Real Madrid side that won their fourth Champions League title in five years in May.
Kylian Mbappe (France)
Mbappe started the tournament inauspiciously but has improved with each outing. The 19-year-old's performance against Argentina in the round of 16 was arguably the best individual display by any player at this World Cup.
【体坛英语资讯:Seven players who could end the Messi-Ronaldo Ballon dOr duopoly】相关文章:
★ 体坛英语资讯:CFA Chief: China willing to host 2018 World Cup
★ 体坛英语资讯:Kuznetsova and Chakvetadze to square off in semis
★ 体坛资讯:Late starters face uphill task in China
★ 体坛英语资讯:Respect, admiration abound in Shanghai
★ 体坛英语资讯:Cavs top Wizards, Jazz beat Rockets
★ 体坛英语资讯:Beijing Olympic flame arrives in Pakistani capital
★ 体坛英语资讯:Beijing Olympic flame arrives in Canberra
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Tom Cruise and wife set to move to New York
★ 体坛英语资讯:Federers stomach bug gives rivals a lift
最新
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15