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The two GOATs will battle with other exciting players for the top individual awards when the Qatar 2022 World Cup kicks off this weekend.
From Luka Modric to Harry Kane to Lionel Messi and James Rodriguez, the golden boot and golden ball have been won by great players in previous world cups.
The golden boot is awarded to the top scorer at the World Cup, while the golden ball is given to the best player. Harry Kane won the golden boot at the 2018 World Cup, while Luka Modric won the best player award.
With the Qatar 2022 World Cup just days away, Pulse Sports take a look at the contenders for the two individual awards.
Qatar 2022 World Cup Golden Boot and Golden Ball contenders
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Headlining the list is none other than Cristiano Ronaldo. Qatar 2022 will be Ronaldo's fifth World Cup, but the Manchester United star never won the golden boot in the competition despite his incredible scoring record.
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Ronaldo has eight goals in his previous World Cups and will aim to add more to his tally when the competition kicks off this weekend, with Portugal taking on Ghana in their opening game.
However, Ronaldo's golden boot and ball hopes rest on how far Portugal go in the tournament.
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Ronaldo's biggest rival, Lionel Messi, will also be contending for the golden boot in Qatar. Like Ronaldo, Messi is also appearing in his fifth World Cup.
Messi has scored in all World Cups except for 2010- no thanks to Vincent Enyeama. The PSG star will, however, feel confident in adding to his tally.
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Argentina open their campaign against Saudi Arabia, which allows Messi to stat-pad before tougher tests against Mexico and Poland.
However, regardless of the number of goals he scores, Messi will be in contention for the golden ball if Argentina reach the latter stages of the competition.
Kylian Mbappe (France)
Kylian Mbappe will play another starring role after making history with France in Russia. The PSG star scored four goals at the 2018 World Cup, including two in the final, as France won their second title.
Four years later, Mbappe is back again, and he will be looking to score more goals in the biggest sporting event in the World.
The former Monaco man will play a key role up front for France as they tackle Tunisia, Denmark and Australia in their group.
It remains to be seen if it will be enough to earn him the golden boot.
Karim Benzema (France)
Benzema was not part of France's squad in 2018, but he is ready to make up for the lost time in Qatar. Benzema is part of a fearsome France attack and heads into the tournament as the best player in the World after winning the Ballon d'Or.
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Benzema will share the goals with Mbappe, but a strong performance could see him win the golden boot.
Harry Kane (England)
Kane will go into this tournament hoping to win back-to-back golden boots after finishing as the top scorer. The likelihood looks promising for Kane as England are in the same group as Iran, USA and Wales.
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However, Kane's hopes of winning the golden ball depend on how far England go in the tournament, which is basically the same for any player who aims to win the coveted award.
Virgil Van Dijk (Netherlands)
Liverpool's Virgil Van Dijk is the only defender on this list. While Van Dijk will not compete for the golden boot, he has an outside chance of winning the golden ball.
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He is the leader of a Dutch side, making their first appearance in a World Cup since 2014. Although the award favours attackers more, Van Dijk could play himself into contention if he delivers a Fabio Cannavaro-esque performance for The Netherlands.
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