World Cup top 50 after groups: Messi leads, Mbappe steady, Dembele surges, Saibari enters top 10 | OneFootball

The World Cup group stage finished, 48 to 32, and the top 50 remains intact. Players stay in the list as teams exit, though the order may shift in the knockouts.

According to NY Times, the ranking uses The Athletic’s player ratings model for objective match assessments.

Lionel Messi stays first, rested against Jordan then came on to score his sixth via a free kick. Kylian Mbappe remains second, did not score against Norway but set up two for Ousmane Dembele, which should make France clear favourites.

Dembele is up seven to fourth thanks to that hat-trick, while Michael Olise dips to fifth, quieter lately but still threatening. France having three in the top five feels apt.

Vinicius Jr rises two to third after a standout display against Scotland, punishing poor defending to reach four goals for Brazil. Harry Kane remains sixth on three in three, though England’s attack still lacks full fluency.

Achraf Hakimi climbs to seventh after starring against Haiti, bundling the opener and cutting back for Ismael Saibari. Saibari, up 16 to 10th, scored in all three games and almost added another at the back post.

Erling Haaland slips to eighth after Norway rested leading names against France, increasing the demand for a big round-of-32 display versus Ivory Coast. Pedri moves to ninth, dictating Spain as Uruguay lost Manuel Ugarte to a serious injury, his influence beyond goals and assists.

Source: NY Times