Here are Sportsmail's 10 candidates to win the Golden Boot this time around in Brazil. Cristiano Ronaldo Teams: Portugal and Real Madrid...
Here are Sportsmail's 10 candidates to win the Golden Boot this time around in Brazil.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Teams: Portugal and Real Madrid
Seasons goals: 55
Appearances: 45
Arguably the most in-form forward going into the tournament but can Ronaldo still get the goals in a side weaker than many at the World Cup?
He has failed to do so in past major tournaments - however, on the back of a Champions League and Spanish Cup double, it would be unwise to bet against him.
Sergio Aguero
Teams: Argentina and Manchester City
Seasons goals: 28
Appearances: 34
An injury-plagued season held Aguero back but that didn't stop him rattling in the goals for City and winning a Premier League and Capital One Cup double.
He ended the season far behind Suarez in the top scoring charts but possibly could've been right up there with him if injury hadn't stopped him playing consistently.
Luis Suarez
Teams: Liverpool and Uruguay
Season goals: 31
Appearances: 37
Suarez has been rocked by a knee injury which is expected to rule him out of the first game against Costa Rica but not the entire tournament.
It would surely take a Herculean effort for him to come back from knee surgery and still set the tournament alight. But if anyone can do it, Suarez can.
Lionel Messi
Teams: Argentina and Barcelona
Seasons goals: 36
Appearances: 39
Messi is yet to have that career-defining major international tournament which would put him up there with the greatest to have ever played the game.
This season, over in Spain, he has been largely operating - admittedly far above the levels of most mere mortal players - in the shadow of Ronaldo. He needs to step out of that to stand a chance of winning the Golden Boot and leading Argentina to glory.
Neymar
Teams: Brazil and Barcelona
Seasons goals: 13
Appearances: 37
In his first season at Barcelona Neymar's performances have been exciting but not mind-blowing and he has severely lacked the goals to back up his hefty reputation and price tag.
in Brazil, this is being marketed as his tournament. Hopefully returning to his home country will get the goals flowing again.
Diego Costa
Teams: Spain and Atletico Madrid
Seasons goals: 35
Appearances: 44
Costa's goals have fired Atletico Madrid to a shock La Liga title win, ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona, and to within a minute of winning the Champions League. It has made him one of the hottest properties in world football.
A hamstring injury which struck him down at the end of the season has not stopped him earning a place in Spain's 23-man squad, but it could well hold him back in the tournament.
Robin van Persie
Teams: Holland and Manchester United
Seasons goals: 24
Appearances: 32
If Van Persie can net a few goals to navigate through that, he will be in with a great shout.
Romelu Lukaku
Teams: Belgium and Chelsea
Seasons goals: 18
Appearances: 38
Still only 21, Lukaku has had a fruitful season as Everton's top-scorer, whilst on a season-long loan there.
He scored a hat-trick in Belgium's 5-1 friendly demolition of Luxembourg and added another in their second pre-tournament victory against Sweden.
With their plethora of Premier League stars Belgium have the potential to go far, with Lukaku leading the line.
Ciro Immobile
Teams: Italy and Borussia Dortmund
Seasons goals: 22
Appearances: 34
Don't be fooled by the fact Immobile only made his Italy debut in March. His 22 goals last season made him Serie A's top goalscorer, ahead of Luca Toni and Carlos Tevez.
Those 22 goals, which helped Torino finish seventh, also led to a big-money move to Borussia Dortmund.
He has the potential to be one of the surprise packages of the tournament.
Daniel Sturridge
Teams: England and Liverpool
Seasons goals: 27
Appearances: 38
Against Peru, Sturridge demonstrated why he is England's most-likely goalscorer with his fine finish which came from out of nowhere.
Sturridge has played further out wide in recent years but after finishing second behind team-mate Suarez as the Premier League's top scorer and after netting twice in his past two internationals, he has made that central striking role his own.
Who do you think will win the Golden Boot?
SOURCE: Dailymail Football
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