Messi, 38 and still producing for Inter Miami is priced at 16/1 for the Golden Boot, with only Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Mikel Oyarzabal, and Erling Haaland listed shorter. Argentina still runs through him: he led CONMEBOL qualifying with 11 combined goals and assists, and signed off before the break with 12 goal contributions across five MLS matches. He came off early in his last Inter Miami outing with an injury, though he appears in strong form heading into the tournament and has been doing double training sessions with Argentina and Rodrigo De Paul. Messi is 8/11 to score in Argentina's opener against Algeria and 10/1 to win another Golden Ball after taking the award in 2022.
Ronaldo, 41 and still sharp for Al-Nassr after winning the Saudi Pro League title, carries 20/1 Golden Boot odds and 4/6 to score for Portugal against DR Congo in their first match. He scored five goals in five qualification appearances despite a blank against Chile, though questions remain about his role and whether Portugal might be stronger with other options. He is 33/1 for the Golden Ball.
Neymar, 34, returned to Santos last year and was called into Brazil's 26-man squad after a heavy domestic media push. Priced at 80/1 for the Golden Boot and 50/1 for the Golden Ball, he is reportedly fighting an injury to be fit for Brazil's opener against Morocco and was not listed for opener scoring bets while still away from training.
