Who's going to win the Golden Boot?

The World Cup is used as a stage for players to showcase their talents to the world, and there’s no better way to do that than scoring the most goals in the tournament, and winning the Golden Boot (Golden Shoe).

Here are the 12 players most likely to win the 20th Golden Boot:

Neymar, Brazil, Forward

Stats (All Competitions): 64 games, 27 goals, 21 assists
Odds to win: 10/1

The 22-year-old enjoyed a tremendous first year with Barcelona, adapting well to the La Liga with his skill, vision, footwork, and speed. Despite a tax evasion scandal surrounding his transfer from Santos FC, Neymar managed nine goals and eight assists in La Liga, overcoming various injuries.

Neymar dominated the international scene this year for Brazil, recording eight goals and assists in 16 matches.

The Barcelona talisman is set to showcase his skill in his native country, and achieve his full potential at this year’s tournament.

Lionel Messi, Argentina, Forward

Stats (All Competitions): 52 games, 43 goals, 12 assists
Odds to win: 7/1

With Neymar set to play a massive role in this year’s tournament, his Barcelona teammate poises a great threat to his chances of winning the Golden Boot. Lionel Messi is considered to be one of the greatest players in the sport’s history.

Messi dominated the opposition since making his Barcelona debut in 2004 at the age of 17. Despite appearing in only 31 La Liga games this season, the former Ballon d’Or winner still managed 28 goals and 11 assists.

In similar fashion to his dominance in Spain, Messi enjoyed a successful spell during international competition this season. The Barcelona forward scored three goals and an assist in eight matches.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal, Forward

Stats (All Competitions): 59 games, 65 goals, 15 assists
Odds to win: 14/1

Despite a nagging knee injury, Cristiano Ronaldo enters the World Cup in fine form, and will be looking to add to the slew of silverware he collected this season. The Golden Shoe would be the perfect way to cap off a tremendous season which saw the Real Madrid star win the Ballon d’Or, Champions League, and Copa del Rey.

Ronaldo excelled during international competition this season, and almost single-handedly guided Portugal to Brazil. The 29-year-old scored 11 international goals, including an astounding seven during the qualification process.

Sergio Aguero, Argentina, Forward

Stats (All Competitions): 47 games, 37 goals, 10 assists
Odds to win: 14/1

The Manchester City forward endured an injury-filled season, but proved his worth to both club and country when he did play. Since joining Manchester City, Aguero has become one of the most prolific scorers, and is primed for stardom in Brazil.

With Angel Di Maria, Lionel Messi, and Ezequiel Lavezzi set to provide service to Aguero, the 26-year-old could easily become the tournament’s top goal scorer.

Luis Suarez, Forward, Uruguay

Stats (All Competitions): 61 games, 47 goals, 15 assists
Odds to win: 18/1

Although Suarez missed six games at the beginning of the Premier League season due to suspension, the Liverpool forward managed to finish as the league’s top scorer with 31 goals. The 27-year-old  is currently recovering from a knee injury, but is expected to feature for Uruguay in Brazil, and will most likely continue his impressive goal scoring form.

Suarez scored 16 international goals in 2013-14, and should create a formidable partnership with Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani.

Diego Costa, Forward, Spain

Stats (All Competitions): 56 games, 36 goals, four assists
Odds to win: 22/1

The Atletico Madrid forward enjoyed a successful season in La Liga, but struggled with injuries toward the end of the campaign. Costa is expected to be fully fit once the tournament begins, but will be under tremendous pressure during the event. 

Costa is Brazilian born, but opted to play for the 2010 World Champions, Spain, instead of his birth country. Despite his prolific scoring record in 2013-14, both his injury and the fans in Brazil could impact his play.

The 25-year-old scored 27 goals while assisting on three more during the La Liga season, en route to becoming a major target once the transfer window officially opens.

Romelu Lukaku, Forward, Belgium

Stats (All Competitions): 51 games, 22 goals, eight assists
Odds to Win: 22/1

Belgium manager Marc Wilmots was expected to unleash the incredibly skilled and young partnership of Romelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke in Brazil, but due to an Achilles injury, only Lukaku will feature.

The Chelsea striker plied his trade with Everton this season, helping Roberto Martinez’s side earn a fifth place finish. The 21-year-old managed 15 goals in the Premier League, in addition to six international tallies.

Robin van Persie, Forward, Netherlands

Stats (All Competitions): 40 games, 27 goals, four assists
Odds to win: 28/1

Robin van Persie is the definition of an all-around forward. In addition to his playmaking skills, he posses incredible goal scoring ability with an absolutely lethal left foot. The 30-year-old is capable of scoring from anywhere, and is known to make the impossible look extremely easy. Despite enduring an injury plagued and frustrating season at Manchester United, he seemed reinvigorated toward the end of the season.

Van Persie managed 12 goals and three assists during a disappointing campaign, but is still considered as a potential Golden Boot winner. Following the Netherlands’ embarrassing outing during the 2012 European Championships, the Dutch captain will be on a mission in Brazil, which could potentially be his final World Cup.

During the qualifying stages, van Persie was especially prolific for the Netherlands. The 30-year-old scored six goals and assisted on another in four matches.

Thomas Muller, Forward, Germany

Stats (All Competitions): 58 games, 31 goals, 12 assists
Odds to win: 28/1

With Germany bringing only one true striker, Miroslav Klose, and suffering the loss of Marco Reus, manager Joachim Low is expected to rely heavily on the 2010 Golden Boot winner. Muller notched five goals and three assists during 2010 tournament. 

Muller scored five goals during international play this season, and flourished under Pep Guardiola during the manager’s first season at Bayern Munich, scoring 26 goals for the Bundesliga side.

Edinson Cavani, Forward, Uruguay

Stats (All Competitions): 65 games, 34 goals, five assists
Odds to win: 33/1

Cavani excelled during his first season in France, and Uruguay is hoping the 27-year-old can continue his form in Brazil. The former Napoli forward scored 24 goals in all competitions for Paris Saint-Germain this season, but was nearly unstoppable during international competition, scoring nine goals.

With opposing defenders having to cope with Luis Suarez, Diego Forlan, and Abel Hernandez, expect Cavani to get plenty of goal scoring opportunities.

Mario Balotelli, Forward, Italy

Stats (All Competitions): 54 goals, 23 goals, nine assists
Odds to win: 33/1

Despite Italy being slotted in a difficult group (England, Uruguay, and Costa Rica), Mario Balotelli possess the necessary skill to lead his entire squad to the knockout stage. The 23-year-old scored 14 goals during the Serie A season, but has a reputation for dominating international competition.

Italy enjoyed a successful European Championship tournament in 2012, thanks to an incredible performance from their striker. The former Manchester City forward scored three goals during the tournament, including two important tallies against Germany.

Wayne Rooney, Forward, England

Stats (All Competitions): 52 games, 24 goals, 19 assists
Odds to win: 50/1

Rooney is expected to play a pivotal role for England, following an impressive season for Manchester United. The 28-year-old will be under a ton pressure to perform in Brazil, but no one on that squad is capable of scoring goals, and setting up others, quite like Rooney.

The Manchester United talisman posses tremendous vision and work ethic, but has struggled in recent international tournaments.