We’re not only trying to determine the World Cup Champion over the next few days, but we also have to award the Golden Boot to the tournament’s top goal scorer. The four teams remaining each have two games left, no more or no less. And, the leaderboard contains snipers from each outfit. We’re a few hours away from the first semifinal game between Holland and Uruguay. In the interim, let’s take a look at the contenders for the Golden Boot still standing and what their odds were for winning the Golden Boot both right now and also before the tournament even started.
David Villa, 5 Goals, Spain
Pre-Tournament Odds: 7.5/1 (+750)
Current Odds: -187
Spain may not be earning any style points during this tournament with their series of one-goal wins, but you can hardly blame David Villa for the Spanairds lack of flair. He’s scored five of the team’s six goals during the finals. That includes tallies late in the second half to break scoreless ties against Portugal and Paraguay in their first two Knockout Rounds. Let’s see, he’s scored in four matches in a row, has most of his teams goals and have scored critical, game winning goals in back to back elimination games. Sounds like an MVP performance to me. Not that anybody should be surprised. He’s been one of the hottest strikers in the world for years. During his 5-year career with Valencia, he has tallied 129 goals, including 28 in 45 games this year in leading his club into the Champions League. He’ll be playing for Barcelona this season where he will team up with Lionel Messi. Dont expect Villa’s scoring run to stop anytime soon, be it in his last two World Cup matches or this season in La Liga. He offered a generous payout in excess of 7/1 odds to be the top scorer when the tournament began, but is now heavy chalk to retain his goal lead and win the Golden Boot.
Wesley Sneijder, 4 Goals, Holland
Pre-Tournament Odds: 66/1
Current Odds: 7.5/1 (+750)
Sneijder became the smallest player in World Cup history to ever score a goal off a header. It was also the game winning against Brazil. Not bad. And with FIFA overturning an originally called Own Goal against the Brazil and crediting Sneijder with the goal, he has the Dutch’s last three goals in this tournament and is in striking range for the Golden Boot, one off Villa’s pace. Sneijder was a star for Inter Milan this year as they won Serie A and the Champions League Cup, but could he be on the move once the World Cup is completed? After just one season playing for Inter, a move to the EPL may be in the works for the star midfielder. Manchester United is rumored to be interested in him and may have already begun the bidding war for Sneijder’s services.
Miroslav Klose, 4 Goals, Germany
Pre-Tournament Odds: 28/1
Current Odds: 3.5/1 (+350)
Klose is German for international scoring machine. He’s scored five goals in each of the last two World Cups and is the defending Golden Boot winner from 2006. He’s one tally away from his third straight 5-goal World Cup and he has two games left to play. Klose goal work during this finals can be considered a surprise in some ways. It hasnt been a very productive year for the Bayern Munich forward. After two seasons where he put up a goal at an every other game pace for Munich, Klose mined a goal just six times in 38 games this season for Munich. There were whispers that he had lost a step and conventional wisdom doubted he could have a big impact during this World Cup. Wearing the German colors has rejuvenated this goal scorer. He notched a goal in the opener against Australia and has been the leading scorer for the highest scoring team in the tournament. He’s in great position to add more to his international soccer resume and become a back-to-back Golden Boot winner.
Diego Forlan, 3 Goals, Uruguay
Pre-Tournament Odds: 40/1
Current Odds: 18/1
Forlan has become one of my favorite players this World Cup. He’s part of a world class striker duo that has dragged Uruguay to unprecedented modern soccer heights in South Africa. The tiniest nation to compete in this field stands a win away from the finals and a lot of it has to do with the magic foot of Forlan. He plays for Atletico Madrid where his late goal heroics won the squad the 2010 Europa Cup. Does he have any more clutch goals in him to keep this underdog train of La Celeste chugging forward? With mate Luis Suarez red card suspended, the burden falls totally on Forlan. If Uruguay advances, you can bet the Forlan will have tallied at least one goal and close in on the Golden Boot leaders. Several years back Forlan had a stint with Manchester United, but fell out of favor after an 8-month goal drought to start his tenure with the English club. While his World Cup play has re-opened the eyes of folks within the EPL, Forlan seems content to stay with Atletico Madrid. He turned down an offer to play for Tottenhan, even though the Spurs will begin Champion League play next month. We’ll see if any other offers come his way that might make him change his mind.
CARD SUSPENSION ROADBLOCKS
Two players are in contention, but will miss their next game due to a suspension from accumulating too many cards. They’re on the leaderboard, but it’s going to be hard winning the Golden Boot with one less game to play at this point.
Thomas Muller, 4 Goals, Germany
Pre-Tournament Odds: 66/1
Current Odds: 18/1
Who picked up the pace for Bayern Munich with Klose struggling all season to find the back of the net? That would be youngster Thomas Muller who chipped in with 20 goals for the Bundesliga champion and runners-up for the Champions League Cup. Not a bad first full season with a top flight club in a top flight European league. Four goals during the World Cup hasnt been a bad way to debut on that stage either. He scored twice against England in the Round of 16, making him the youngest German to ever score multiple goals in a Knockout Round game and was only the second youngest ever to do it, behind Pele. That’s not a bad soccer player to share a sentenence with. His pursuit for the Golden Boot took a tumble with his second yellow card in as many games in the second half rout of Argentina over the weekend. He’s been suspended due to cards for the semifinal against Spain. Playing one less game may keep him out of the Golden Boot running, but make no mistake, should the Germans beat Spain, this kid will have a major impact on the Championship Game. I wouldn’t put another multiple goal out of the equation.
Luis Suarez, 3 Goals, Uruguay
Pre-Tournament Odds: 50/1
Current Odds: Off The Board
I might as well address the main talking point after the Ghana game, that being Luis Suarez on-purpose handball to keep that ball out of the net and at least forcing the penalty kick. I have no problem with it and, frankly, cant understand why opinion on the matter is even that close. All I know is I would have done the same thing he did. And, I’m certain that a vast majority of fans would want the player on their team to do that as well or the closest thing to it in the sport in question. He is neither an angel or a demon. Suarez was merely practicing the art of the tactical foul. We see it all the time with pass interferences to limit a big passing play or touchdown and the concept of hard fouling in hoops, to make them earn it at the line instead of with a layup at point blank range. Why should we throw scorn his way? If anything, the move was oddly heroic. I completely endorse his decision last week. And, its not like he isn’t paying the price. The red card he earns suspends him for a World Cup semifinal. Thats a big sacrifice to make for comitting a professional foul. That’s the price he and La Celeste are paying for using that tactic. Not only do the ends justify the means, but the consequences are more punitive than the professional fouls that exist in the major sports we follow here. Suarez has been on a roll all season, scoring at a goal per game clip for his Dutch club Ajaz. And while Ajax has Champions League qualifying to playoff next month, there are rumors floating that their sniper might be EPL and Man U bound. Two goals off of Villa’s pace and with one less game to play, Suarez wont win the Golden Boot unless he puts up an historic game in the title or consolation game. Should Uruguay pull off the upset against the Dutch without him, the Golden Boot will be the last thing on his mind. Getting ready for the World Cup Championship Game, however, will be.
