World Cup 2022: Five dark horses who could stake a claim for Golden Boot award

The usual suspects are being discussed as potential Golden Boot winners at the World Cup Finals in Qatar.

Somewhat predictably, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema lead the odds, but there is some value in looking beyond the obvious when it comes to who may collect the Golden Boot at the end of next month.

Several forward players will hope to take the momentum built up from their impressive domestic form into the tournament and further enhance their reputations by hitting the net with regularity in Qatar. With the World Cup finals now just days away, 3 Added Minutes looks at five alternative options to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Gary Lineker, Ronaldo and Harry Kane by claiming the Golden Boot.

Vinicius Junior (Brazil) - 33/1

Hardly a prolific goalscorer at international level, the Real Madrid forward has just one goal in 16 caps and that came earlier this year in a qualifying win over Chile. But there can be no doubt the 22-year-old is heading into the tournament in fine form after shining in La Liga and the Champions League throughout the opening four months of the season.

With six goals in 14 La Liga appearances and an impressive four in six Champions League group stage games, Vinicius could be one to watch for the Golden Boot as he takes his place in an eyewateringly impressive Brazil attacking lineup.

Robert Lewandowski (Poland) - 40/1

Another player in fine form, Lewandowski has settled into life in Spain by plundering his way to 18 goals in 19 games in competitions for Barcelona. Already a Poland legend, the striker has 76 goals in 134 caps for his country and will hope to make an impression in Qatar.

Although it seems unlikely they will go deep into the tournament, Poland will face Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Argentina in the group stages, meaning Lewandowski will have plenty of opportunities to get off the mark early and lay an early claim for an award that would round off an impressive career in fine style.

Cody Gakpo (Netherlands) - 50/1

Although not an immediate thought when considering the top goalscorer at the tournament, Gakpo could benefit from a very preferable group stage draw. The Dutch will face hosts Qatar, Ecuador and Senegal, and that could offer the PSV star a real opportunity to hit form in the early stages of the tournament.

Three goals in nine caps hardly screams ‘prolific forward’, but Gakpo has momentum ahead of the finals after scoring 13 goals and providing 17 assists in 24 appearances in all competitions for his club.

Thomas Müller (Germany) - 66/1

Clearly something of a nostalgic pick, Muller has form at World Cup Finals after scoring ten goals in his previous 16 appearances in the tournament. The Bayern Munich star is also a former Golden Boot winner after collecting the accolade in 2010 as the Germans were beaten in the semi-finals by eventual winners Spain.

The two sides will go head-to-head in the group stage in Qatar, meaning Muller will have to make the most of games against Japan and Costa Rica if he wants to go some way to matching his heroics in South Africa ten years ago.

Aleksander Mitrovic (Serbia) - 66/1

There will be some derision to this pick but the Fulham striker ticks a number of boxes for a potential top goalscorer. Firstly, he is in impressive domestic form with nine goals in 12 Premier League appearances so far this season. Secondly, he just loves international football, and much like Lewandowski with Poland, Mitrovic is viewed as his country’s main threat ahead of the tournament after hitting a half-century of goals in 76 caps.

Finally, and perhaps most significantly, Serbia will fancy their chances of progressing into the knockout stages as they compete with Switzerland and Cameroon in a group that will surely be won by pre-tournament favourites Brazil.