‘James Harden of soccer’ backed to be USMNT’s main World Cup threat over Christian Pulisic

The LeBron James of soccer has been told to move over for the USMNT‘s James Harden.

And fittingly, Folarin Balogun will take fans by as much surprise at the World Cup as pictures of ‘The Beard’ without his signature facial fuzz.

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The 24-year-old is the only American to have reached double-digits for goals in Europe’s top five leagues this season.

The New York City-born England Under-21 international is peaking at the right time at Monaco following two years wrecked by injuries.

The USA sorely paid the price for their lack of a top-level striker at the 2022 World Cup, with three different centre-forwards starting across their four matches in Qatar.

Balogun switched international allegiance a year later, off the back of a breakout 2022/23 season on loan at Reims from Arsenal.

Having scored 21 times in just 37 Ligue 1 appearances, the attacker sealed a move to Monaco before the dreaded injuries started.

Folarin Balogun stats

Balogun missed over 44 matches during his first two seasons in the Principality but has come back to full fitness with a bang this term.

The Arsenal academy graduate has scored 19 goals across all competitions, which included a brace against Champions League finalists and current holders Paris Saint-Germain in Monaco’s play-off defeat in February.

25-cap USA international Balogun will now shoulder the hopes for Mauricio Pochettino‘s men on home soil this summer.

European football expert Andy Brassell explained to talkSPORT.com: “If anyone’s ready, Balogun should be.

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“He’s a player who has had… I wouldn’t say a really good season, but actually a really good last four to six months,” Brassell continued.

“He’s really started to find his scoring touch in Ligue 1. And I think when he initially arrived from Reims, it was difficult.

“But he has been one of the beneficiaries of Sébastien Pocognoli’s arrival. And really, going into the March international break, Monaco looked as if they were heading all the way to the Champions League.

“That’s not going to happen now, but there’s also a sense that he’s ascended to the point where he’s one of the crown jewels.

“So this season, this summer, they’ll sell Maghnes Akliouche. But they’ll probably sell Folarin Balogun as well.

“Now, you sense there’s more of a market out there for him. It’s easy to forget, but he’s still only 24.”

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‘Balogun’s a bit like James Harden’

“He’s really learnt the game while he’s at Monaco, I feel,” Brassell added to talkSPORT.com.

“So not only has he been on this red-hot run in 2026, he’s almost like…
He’s a great finisher, but he’s almost like one of those basketball players. He’s a bit like James Harden or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

“He’s not just a high-quality goal scorer; he’s really good at drawing contact as well.

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“I suppose a football comparison might be Andy Johnson when he was at Crystal Palace, and that’s fine. It’s a good thing to be able to do and really works for the team.

“But, as well, he’s started contributing more to the overall game. He’s someone who can make assists and bring other people into play.

“He’s quick. Look, if you had to back someone to score goals for the US in the World Cup at the moment, it would definitely be him.

“And I’m really interested to see where it takes him next.”