World Cup 2014 11am Bulletin: Messi's the golden one

Lionel Messi has scored four goals already at this World Cup

With just eight teams and eight matches left, the debate about the end-of-tournament awards can heat up...

If most punters were asked to pick their player of the World Cup so far, especially in line with pre-tournament expectations, the majority would likely side with James Rodriguez, which is why he has emerged as the 4.1n/a favourite to win the Golden Ball.

Though his immense talent was no secret, prompting Monaco to spend around 38.5 million to sign him from Porto last summer, it wasn't quite so obvious how focal he would be to Colombia's attacking output.

The combination of Radamel Falcao's injury and a switch to a central role have thrust the number ten into a conducting position which has enabled him to contribute at least one goal in all four of his nation's victories, and five in total.

So why isn't he going to win? One argument against him is that, while he has been magnificent, he has been magnificent against Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan and Uruguay - all decent opponents, but none that were ever rated legitimate contenders.

Another reason to suspect that J-Rod's candidacy will collapse with dizzying haste is the fact that Colombia are 3.39/4 outsiders to progress through their quarter-final with hosts Brazil. Never before has the Golden Ball been won by a player whose country failed to reach the semi-finals.

If it all goes wrong in Fortaleza on Friday, Rodriguez will be sinking in the same boat that Asamoah Gyan sailed in 2010 - like Hernan Crespo in 2006 or El-Hadji Diouf in 2002 (seriously) - of bossing the early rounds yet being forgotten at prize-giving time due to heading home too soon.

That is why Lionel Messi of 5.79/2 second favourites Argentina is such an enticing option at 4.3100/30. That and the pivotal part he has performed in all four Albiceleste successes, scoring in every group tie and creating the clincher against Switzerland after two hours of intense supervision from Valon Behrami and Gokhan Inler.

Messi is the only man in the competition to have been named man-of-the-match in all four of his outings to date, and it is 1.584/7 that his Argentina see off Belgium for a semi-final spot.

Recommended Bet: Back Lionel Messi to win the Golden Ball @ 4.3100/30