The new, controversial 48-team competition has its detractors (me included). But even I would concede that it’s had plenty to offer from an entertainment perspective (goals, red cards, VAR controversy). It’s generally been a high-scoring affair, and my list will reflect that (nary a defender or goalkeeper to be seen). These are my personal picks and it doesn’t corollate definitively with pure stats (Haaland has scored four goals and hasn’t quite made my list). I am looking for the eight guys who I believe have made the biggest overall impact for their teams.

8. Bruno Guimares (Brazil)

Currently the subject of a burgeoning transfer saga, Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimares has really shone in the middle of the park this tournament (though Moroccan youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi did do a bit of number on him and Casemiro). Still, the Newcastle (for now) midfield colossus has been a surprise font of creativity, creating three assists while never shirking his defensive duties.

7. Jude Bellingham (England)

And to think, some English fans were questioning his place in Thomas Tuchel’s side. But as the adage goes: form is temporary, but class is permanent. The Real Madrid star has looked sublime in an erratic England side, scoring two goals and creating another to fire England to the top of their group. He produced a real moment of magic against Panama, pivoting before dinking a perfect cross for Kane to make it 2-0. Bellingham isn’t your archetypal No.10 who relies on a low centre of gravity and ninja-like awareness (see David Silva). He is almost a hybrid between a classical 8 and a 10, bringing all the box-to-box qualities of a Stevie G but with a dash of that Foden flair.

6. Yoane Wissa (DRC)

Newcastle United’s Yoane Wissa has exorcised the memories of his terrible club campaign with a truly inspirational showing at this year’s World Cup. The all-action forward has been the DRC’s version of Harry Kane, leading the line while working tirelessly in every other area of the pitch. He wrote his name into DRC folklore against Portugal, heading in an equalizer to become the country’s first ever World Cup goalscorer. He then carried the DRC kicking and screaming over the line after they had gone behind against Uzbekistan, scoring from the penalty spot before nabbing a wonderful solo goal to seal all three points. Lionel Messi aside, you would be hard pressed to find a player who has contributed as much to their team’s overall productivity as Wissa has.

5. Denis Undav (Germany)

I’m a sucker for a ‘rags to riches’ narrative. Undav was working in a factory while playing in Germany’s 4th division before securing a move to Belgium. He then moved to Brighton where he couldn’t quite gel with the English game. But he found his home in Stuttgart, producing stellar numbers to earn his place in Nagelsmann’s plans. He hasn’t started a single match this tournament (Kai Havertz has the same voodoo hold over Nagelsmann as he does over Arteta). But he managed to bag three goals and two assists in those first two matches (in just 69 mins). He had less impact off the bench against Ecuador, but something tells me he will have another moment or two.

4. Ousmane Dembelle (France)

Reigning Ballon d’or winner Ousmane Dembelle has finally arrived on the biggest stage. The gangly forward had previously struggled to make an impression in the big tournaments, failing to find the target in his first 19 tourney matches! Unbelievable, really. He started this year’s festivities in similarly underwhelming fashion, with Mbappe and Olise stealing the spotlight in their opening win against Senegal. But he hijacked the narrative in their 2nd match against Iraq, finally nabbing his first big-tourney goal while unselfishly teeing up the Mbappe express for another. He then gave arguably the best performance of the tournament to date, scoring a worldie hat-trick against a visibly shocked Norwegian side.

3. Vinicius Jr (Brazil)

Carlo Ancelotti caused quite a fuss when he selected Neymar for this year’s Brazilian World Cup squad. I personally think Ancelotti did it because he understands the importance of dressing-room vibes (it’s one of the reasons he could deal with all those megawatt stars at Real Madrid). But there’s little debate that Vini Jr is Brazil’s main man (he has inherited Neymar’s mantle). The Real Madrid superstar terrorized the rest of Group C, harnessing his electrifying pace and mesmeric dribbling to score four goals and lay on an assist. This is by no means a vintage Brazilian side, where the names roll off the tongue with effortless ease. This is a decent squad with a nice mix of unadulterated talent and industry. But Vini Jr brings the undeniable Samba flair that is a hallmark of any top Brazilian outfit.

2. Kylian Mbappe (France)

World Cup legend Kylian Mbappe had plenty of pressure on his shoulders entering this tournament. Real Madrid are yet to win a trophy since his big money move and the vultures are circling. But he was just born to play in this competition. A living icon of this tournament, Mbappe has captured the imagination every time he has stepped on the field. He has shown a great maturity, balancing his more selfish, goal-scoring fetish with a genuine enthusiasm for dynamic interplay. He scored a brace in each of his first two matches but then showed off his creative side against Norway, grabbing two assists while Dembelle stole the plaudits. And Mbappe looked quite comfortable with that. The only reason he isn’t No.1 on this list is that his archnemesis has been at it again.

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina)

What more is there to say about Lionel Messi? The diminutive Argentine genius should by rights be watching this tournament on a beach he owns, sipping martinis while the rest of the world fight for something he has already conquered. But Messi has defied convention, delaying the effects of aging with his intelligence and technique. He has been mesmerising this tournament, scoring six goals to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. And he isn’t doing it CR7 style, parking in the box and doing trademark celebrations off the backs of everyone else’s hard work. He dictates the tempo of Argentina’s play, creating chaos in the narrow, congested areas that Argentina thrive in. A true inspiration.