by Four years ago, Lionel Messi finally conquered his greatest mountain by leading his beloved Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar.
The mercurial Inter Miami man was in blistering form throughout the tournament, racking up three assists and seven goals – including two in a spell-binding final against France – en route to being named the player of the tournament.
Now, at the ripe old age of 39, the GOAT attempts to do something no nation has done in over 60 years: Defend the crown.
Online betting sites do make the reigning champions a contender, albeit not an outright favourite.
The latest online sports betting at Bovada odds currently list Argentina as an 8/1 fifth-favorite, with Spain given top billing at 9/2.
Most Important Player for Each of the Tournament Favorites
Then come England (11/2), France (7/1), and Brazil (15/2). But who will be the most important player for each of those teams this summer? Let’s take a look.
Spain: Lamine Yamal
Spain heads to North America as the favorite and the defending European Champion.
They claimed a record-breaking fourth Euro crown two years ago, winning Euro 2024 by beating England 2-1 in the final in Berlin.
Back then, plenty of eyebrows were raised when teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal was announced as a starter on the right wing.
Fast forward to now, and no eyebrows are being raised anymore.
Yamal does it again for the hat trick 🎩
pic.twitter.com/SfWJmHP3o4— Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) February 28, 2026
The 18-year-old is arguably the best player on the planet on current form.
Yamal has been in scintillating form for Barcelona this season – just as he has ever since forcing his way into the Blaugrana first team three years ago.
He is producing the best numbers of his career so far this term with 21 goals and 16 assists in all competitions, and he will be the focal point of the Spanish challenge.
England: Harry Kane
Gareth Southgate’s first move as England manager in 2017 was to appoint Harry Kane as his captain. What an inspired choice that proved to be.
The former Spurs striker shone at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, winning the Golden Boot award as he led England to a first semifinal appearance since 1990.
He would follow that up with runs to the European Championship final in 2021 and 2024, and since joining Bayern Munich three years ago, Kane’s goalscoring exploits have reached superhuman levels.
The England skipper has amassed a mighty 133 goals in 136 appearances during his time in Bavaria, including a whopping 48 in 40 so far this term.
His recent goal against Atalanta in the Champions League was poetry in motion as Kane spun past two defenders and rifled the ball into the top corner, all in one fluid motion, proving just how bang in form he currently is.
If England is to end 60 long years of hurt this summer, Kane will be the man to score the goals that lead the Three Lions to the promised land.
With memories of that heartbreaking missed penalty in the quarterfinals against France four years ago spurring him on, we wouldn’t be betting against him.
France: Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe is still as electric as ever, even if recent injury woes have slowed him down slightly.
The France captain has missed the last month of action for Real Madrid, but he recently made his long-awaited return against Manchester City and looked as sharp as ever.
He has already amassed some 38 goals in 34 games this season, and he will be looking to add even more to that tally as Los Blancos attempt to reel in La Liga table toppers Barcelona.
At the World Cup, Mbappe has been a force of nature. He led France to the title back in 2018 as a teenager, netting four goals along the way, including a stunner in the final against Croatia.
In Qatar four years later, he was even more destructive, winning the golden boot award with eight goals in seven games, headlined by a stunning hat trick in the final, although it wasn’t enough to stop Lionel Messi’s date with destiny.
The France captain is already the World Cup finals record goalscorer with four goals across two separate finals, while five goals this summer will see him overtake Miroslav Klose as the tournament’s top scorer.
Brazil: Gabriel Magalhães
Brazil finds itself in a strange spot ahead of this summer’s showdown. Usually stacked with attacking talent, the Selecao finds itself without its usual offensive Arsenal.
Neymar is a shadow of the player he once was and hasn’t been called up by manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Vinicius Jr. hasn’t been in top form for Real Madrid either. As such, Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães will be crucial to the record five-time champions’ hopes this summer.
Gabriel has been the crucial cog in the Gunners’ back line throughout the ongoing 2025/26 season.
He has been marshalling Arsenal’s unprecedented quadruple challenge, with his newfound leadership skills adding to the aerial dominance and defensive brilliance that he has always displayed.
If Brazil is to contend this summer, they will need to keep it tight at the back, and Gabriel is the man for the job of keeping the back door slammed shut.
Argentina: Lionel Messi
The 2026 World Cup will mark Lionel Messi’s record-breaking sixth and final foray onto football’s grandest stage.
He will turn 39 midway through the tournament, but despite his advancing years, he remains Argentina’s main man.
The Albiceleste skipper was the top scorer in the South American qualifying section with eight goals, and he continues to make Argentina tick.
He may not have the explosive pace he once had, but his brilliance with the ball at his feet is still unmatched.
At the club level, he continues to shine with Inter Miami, netting four goals in five games at the start of the 2026 MLS season.
If Argentina is to defend the crown, then their little magician will have to dip into his bag of tricks one last time.
