Portugal schemer for a starring role

PARIS STGERMAIN superstars Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar are rated as the leading contenders for the World Cup Golden Ball but it could be worth digging a little deeper to find some value in this intriguing betting heat.

The Golden Ball is awarded to the player of the tournament, voted for by a panel of journalists and broadcasters from a shortlist drawn up by Fifa’s technical committee.

There are some instructive trends for Golden Ball punters to consider, albeit from a small sample size. Only one of the last eight award winners – Brazil’s Romario in 1994 – played for the team who won the tournament and not since Italy’s Toto Schillaci in 1990 has a player claimed the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot at the same World Cup.

Messi picked up the award in 2014, when Argentina lost to Germany in the final, but the 2010 and 2018 winners were more unexpected: Uruguay forward Diego Forlan and Luka Modric, who inspired Croatia’s run to the final four years ago.

Given the subjective nature of the award, Golden Ball stakes should be kept modest but three players catch the eye at big prices.

Bruno Fernandes secured Portugal’s place at the Qatar finals, scoring both goals in their playoff final win over North Macedonia, and the Manchester United midfielder could have a big role to play in a talented team.

At the age of 28, he will be determined to make a mark at this World Cup, particularly after disappointing individual and team performances at Euro 2020.

Fernandes should come into this tournament in better shape, physically and mentally, after a bright start to the Premier League season under new United manager Erik ten Hag.

He was named in the team of the tournament when Portugal won the inaugural Nations League in 2019 and has racked up some impressive individual accolades since joining United, winning the Premier League player of the month award four times in 2020.

Fernandes was the leading goalscorer in the 2019-20 Europa League, amassed 18 Premier League goals in 2020-21 (behind only perennial Golden Boot contenders Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah), and claimed more assists than any other player in last term’s Champions League despite the fact that United were eliminated at the last-16 stage.

He is vying with club teammate Cristiano Ronaldo for free-kick and penaltytaking duties for Portugal and could be set for a big tournament.

FRANCE’S Mbappe was outstanding at the 2018 tournament, matching Pele’s achievement of scoring in the World Cup final as a teenager, and England’s wunderkind Jude Bellingham will be hoping to make a similar impact in Qatar.

Winning the Golden Ball would clearly be an extraordinary achievement for the youngster but Bellingham’s stunning rise from Birmingham City rookie to Borussia Dortmund star and England international before his 19th birthday suggests anything is possible.

He became the youngest

captain in Bundesliga history at the start of October and this season’s performances for BVB, particularly in their two Champions League group games against Manchester City, mean it is difficult for Gareth Southgate to leave him out of England’s first 11.

Bellingham scored in four of his five Champions League matches this term, including the away fixture at City.

He is already regarded as a complete midfielder, attracting interest from the Citizens, Liverpool and Real Madrid, and it would be no surprise to see his stock soar further by the end of his first World Cup. Bellingham is favourite to be voted best young player but may go a step further.

The third big-priced Golden Ball selection is Real Madrid midfield dynamo Federico