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The 2014 World Cup is almost upon us. Most domestic leagues have all reached the business end of the seasonand we have an idea about the players who could make a difference at this year's World Cup for their individual countries. So we at Sportskeeda decided to make a list of top 10 players who can win the the a Golden Boot award at this year's World Cup.
#1 Mario Balotelli
This enigmatic Italian striker is one of the best forwards currently in the world. Despite creating several controversies, nobody can question Mario Balotelli’s ability to score goals. He joined AC Milan this season and has already scored 12 goals in 22 Serie A games. Out of those 12 goals, some of them were just stunners fabulous.
Mario Balotelli is in good form and his goal scoring ability can very well earn him a Golden Boot at the World Cup.
#2 Diego Costa
Diego Costa hails from Brazil but will wear the Spanish national team jersey at the World Cup. After playing only one international match for his native country, Costa made his debut for Spain this month in an international friendly against Italy. Diego Costa has scored 25 goals in 30 La Liga matches. He can be considered as one of the frontrunners to win the golden boot at this year’s World Cup.
#3 Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is arguably the best scorer in the world currently. He has scored 23 goals in this season’s La Liga even though he was injured for more than a month. Lionel Messi’s leadership and gola scoring ability would be a key factor in Argentina’s progress in the World cup.
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the best player in the world. Although his natural playing role is of a winger, the Portuguese has scored a galore of goals in this season. In all probability Ronaldo has the chance of winning the golden boot at this year’s World Cup. Ronaldo had scored 8 goals at the qualifying stage.
#5 Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez is currently Europe’s most talked-about forward. Suarez has been in sublime form for Liverpool this season and has scored 29 goals in Premier League till now. The Uruguayan will get immense assistance from his national team strike partners Diego Forlan and Edinson Cavani and many would put their money on Suarez winning this year’s Golden boot.
#6 Robin van Persie
Although he has been sidelined a few times this season, the Dutchman is still one of the most in form strikers in the past couple of seasons. With 15 goals in all competitions this season, he could very well spearhead the Oranje's attack and is a serious contender for the Golden Boot.
#7 Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero has been in sublime form this season. His prolific goal scoring ability has helped Manchester City in many ways and they are currently front runners in bagging Premier League title. The Argentine would partner Lionel Messi upfront in the World Cup. With his own ability of scoring plenty of goals and getting Messi’s assistance one can bet on him in getting this year’s golden boot.
#8 Neymar
Neymar is one of the most crucial players of Brazil and his country’s success would depend upon his performance. At last year’s Confederations Cup Neymar had scored 4 goals and was the second highest goal scorer.
#9 Thomas Muller
Although he is a midfielder, Thomas Muller has the potential to score many goals. He has already scored 12 goals in Bundesliga and will be a key man at this year’s World Cup for Germany.
#10 Fernando Torres
Though many would not consider this Spaniard as a contender for golden boot at the World Cup, I could not not include him. Fernando Torres won the Golden Boot award at Euro 2012 and the Golden Shoe at the 2013 Confederations Cup. So going by his track record at major international tournaments, one cannot leave him out as a contender for the Golden Boot at this year's World Cup.
