Chile and Argentina have now played five games and it is increasingly becoming clear which players are in contention to come away with the Golden Ball as the tournament MVP.

On one side, one candidate has run away with the vote, while the other team has a bevy of candidates that make it a more complex situation. Here is a look at who the Golden Ball contenders are.

Lionel Messi

At this point there is no one better on Argentina than Lionel Messi. Critics will claim that he has yet to score a goal from open play and that that is a disappointing number for a man who just scored 58 goals for his club.

However, everyone knows that goals are not the only story. Messi has proven that in this tournament.

He admittedly looked poor for most of the group stage, missing goal-scoring chances against Jamaica that he would normally put in in a Barcelona uniform.

Then his genius arrived against Colombia. Time and again, viewers would see a similar play unwind almost identically: Messi racing down the center of the pitch, dribbling by one defender and then another before being taken down and drawing a foul. He was fouled a grand total of eight times in that game, more than any other player. He was finally getting going.

Against Paraguay, he continued his brilliance and, with the space afforded to him by an aggressive Paraguay, he made them pay.

He was involved in all six goals scored, including three assists, and looked imposing in every possible way. His passing was versatile as shown on the first and fifth goals when his aerial lobs found their marks and directly led to goals.

He used his speed to create goals as evidenced on the second and fourth goal; on the latter tally he won a race to the ball and then dribbled through two defenders despite being pushed around.

This was not a man who looked exhausted as he did in Brazil in 2014, but one with the will to win.

Even if Argentina loses, it is completely feasible that Messi repeats his feat from Brazil and wins the MVP award. Unlike last year where his win was greeted with controversy, Messi will undeniably deserve it this time around.

Eduardo Vargas

Messi will likely win the award. Only a few factors could go against his chances.

A Chile victory and a goal or two from Eduardo Vargas.

The Chile striker has been phenomenal in this tournament, scoring four goals overall to lead all players. He was particularly crucial in the semifinal against Peru when he put up the two strikes, including a tremendous 25-yard blast for the winner.

If he scores in the final, he will likely clinch his Golden Boot. If he achieves that feat and his nation manages to lift the trophy, then his emergence in the final few games of the tournament will likely cement his place as the tournament MVP.

Arturo Vidal

The Juventus midfielder has faded with each passing game since his controversial drunk driving incident. However, if Vidal finds his form in this final and plays a huge role in a Chile victory, then he might swing the momentum in his favor and win the award.

His candidacy is in serious doubt because of the public perception regarding his incident and his recent turnout of poor performance.

However, one major statement in a winning game could quickly win him back the confidence of others and earn him the MVP award.