World Cup Best Bets: Golden Ball Prop Wagering led by Neymar, Messi

The list of favorites to claim Golden Ball honors at the 2014 World Cup is dominated by La Liga players.

Brazil’s Neymar, a forward with Barcelona, and his Barcelona teammate, Argentina superstar Lionel Messi, rank first and second, depending on which sportsbook you visit, according to Gamblingsites.org’s World Cup odds analysis.

Real Madrid star, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, at 12/1. But there is also no shortage of players from the English Premier League drawing the attention of sports bettors in World Cup player props wagering.

Uruguay’s Luis Suarez sits near the top of the list in props wagering on Golden Ball winner and top goalscorer. The Liverpool star is listed at 18/1 to lead the World Cup in goals and 20/1 to be named the tourney’s top player.

However, the 27-year-old’s status is in doubt after undergoing knee surgery just two weeks ago.

Belgian Eden Hazard, an attacking midfielder with Chelsea, is pegged at 25/1 to emerge as the World Cup’s best player. The speedy playmaker, whose style of play has drawn comparisons to Messi and Ronaldo, scored twice in nine World Cup qualifying matches.

Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil and Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero join Hazard at 25/1 in Player of the Tournament props wagering. Ozil was a nominee for the 2010 Golden Ball, led Germany’s national squad with eight goals in World Cup qualifying, and is an intriguing 80/1 pick to be the World Cup’s top goal scorer.

Aguero is perhaps the best player in Argentina not named Lionel Messi. The diminuitive striker scored five times during World Cup qualifying and is also among the favorites to be the top goal scorer at Brazil 2014 with odds of 14/1.

Other notable EPL stars getting attention in player of the tournament props wagering include Oscar; the 22-year-old Chelsea attacking midfielder has 40/1 odds to claim the Golden Ball, and 50/1 to lead the tourney in goals.

Manchester City’s David Silva had two goals and three assists at Euro 2012, including the winning goal for Spain in the tournament final, and is a 50/1 longshot to win the Golden Ball at Brazil 2014.

Manchester United’s David van Persie captains a Dutch squad that will seek to return to the World Cup final match after losing to Spain in 2010. Van Persie is Netherlands’ all-time leading scorer, and was the UEFA section’s top scorer during World Cup qualifying with 11 goals.

The 30-year-old veteran sports 25/1 odds of leading the World Cup in goals scored and joins Silva as a 50/1 long shot to be named the tourney’s best player.