Messi tops World Cup best player rankings, Ronaldo misses top 50

Lionel Messi, the 39-year-old Argentine superstar, tops The Athletic's list of the best-performing players at the 2026 World Cup. The publication's ranking places French forward Kylian Mbappé second and English star Jude Bellingham third. Notably, 41-year-old Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo did not make the top 50.

Messi has been instrumental in Argentina's journey to the final four, scoring 8 goals and assisting 2 in 6 matches. He holds the World Cup records for most goals and assists. Mbappé also boasts 8 goals, matching Messi for the Golden Boot, and has one more assist, positioning him as a strong contender. France, with their potent offense and solid defense, is seen as a favorite to reach the final for the third consecutive time.

Jude Bellingham's impressive form has seen him climb to third place, contributing 6 goals to England's advancement. England captain Harry Kane is ranked fourth, and Norwegian striker Erling Haaland rounds out the top five. Other notable players in the top 10 include Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé of France, Achraf Hakimi of Morocco, Vinícius Júnior of Brazil, and Aymeric Laporte of Spain. Cristiano Ronaldo's absence from the list follows Portugal's elimination in the round of 16.