The stars will align one again in Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and while the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kylian Mbappe have already cemented themselves as bonafide entertainers on the world stage, it is time to look forward to those who have had fantastic seasons over the past four years and are expected to make a mark for their countries November onwards.
Steering clear of the usual suspects, here’s a list of names who have emerged as major players since the World Cup in 2018, as football’s biggest showpiece returns.
*All the stats are updated until 12th October 2022*
Vinicius Jr [Brazil]
Age: 22
Position: winger/forward
Stats for country: 15 matches, 1 goal
Club: Real Madrid
Stats for club: 183 games/43 goals/47 assists
What to look forward to: pace, power, trickery, movement
The emergence of Vinicius Jr since Real Madrid started using him as their main attacking outlet has been nothing short of remarkable. This World Cup comes mid-season, but last term he won the Champions League, scoring a whopping 22 times and getting 20 assists in all competitions. That is hardly the reason he is here though. Vinicius has been blamed for being too tricky and disrespecting opponents – and responded with doing more of the same in matches that followed – an act of defiance that has brought him plaudits as footballers should always be able to express. Neymar has called him the best player in the world. That should convince you to watch him.
Pedri [Spain]
Age: 19
Position: midfielder
Stats for country: 14 matches
Club: Barcelona
Stats for club: 85 matches/11 goals/ 7 assists
What to look forward to: passing range, intelligent movement, technical ability
A player doesn’t have to rack up goals and assists to be exciting. And while Pedri can do all that, his main task will be to run the show for Spain from midfield. Pedri will turn 20 during the World Cup, but he is already showing shades of his Spain and Barcelona legends Xavi and Andres Iniesta in his game. A wily operator who can turn, pass, get out of tight areas, and be a dazzling menace in the middle of the park means he might be the first name on the teamsheet for Luis Enrique’s Spain. If they are to dominate world football like they did between 2008 and 2012, then Pedri has to be the centre-piece.
Kevin de Bruyne [Belgium]
Age: 31
Position: midfielder
Stats for country: 93 matches/25 goals/43 assists
Club: Manchester City
Stats for club: 320 matches/87 goals/132 assists
What to look forward to: vision, early diagonal from the right wing, creativity
De Bruyne is the heartbeat of Belgium’s golden generation which, despite their third place at the last World Cup, have fallen short of expectation. Those expectations will be at the fore once again in Qatar, and especially on De Bruyne, who has won three Premier League titles with Manchester City in the last four years, and will go to the World Cup in incredible form. He won’t have Erling Haaland to aim for, but Belgium has enough talent going forward. That said, it will come down to De Bruyne to create the goals. That’s what he does best.
Jamal Musiala [Germany]
Age: 19
Position: attacking midfielder/winger
Stats for country: 17 matches/1 goal
Club: Bayern Munich
Stats for club: 91 matches/22 goals/15 assists
What to look forward to: audacious dribbling, positioning, creativity, finishing.
The teenager represented England at youth level, but eventually chose Germany as his senior side. It has been a massive gain for the Germans because Musiala’s movement across the midfield is simply brilliant. He has an eye for a goal and has scored some spectacular efforts for Bayern Munich, contributing to 15 goals in just 13 matches, putting immense pressure on Thomas Muller for his position.
Luka Modric [Croatia]
Age: 37
Position: midfielder
Stats for country: 154 matches/23 goals/24 assists
Club: Real Madrid
Stats for club: 447 matches/33 goals/74 assists
What to look forward to: long shots, passes with the outside of his boot, midfield masterclasses
Hailed as one of the greatest midfielders to ever play the game, Modric is credited with breaking the Ronaldo-Messi monopoly when it comes to winning the world’s best player award. With five Champions League, and an incredible knack of scoring ridiculous goals from distance, Modric is still Croatia’s best player despite being 37. He’s also probably Croatia’s best ever player. No excuses to not watch this guy.
Sadio Mane [Senegal]
Age: 30
Position: winger/forward
Stats for country: 92 matches/33 goals/20 assists
Club: Bayern Munich
Stats for club: 14 matches/8 goals/1 assist
What to look forward to: ability to drive through defenders, finishing, positioning in the box
Sadio Mane left for Bayern Munich this season but after an illustrious career with Liverpool where he won the Premier League and the Champions League as well. Senegal have Netherlands, Qatar, and Ecuador in their group and are still expected to make it to the knockouts. Mane is their main man and no stranger to the big stage. He has been in sparkling form since moving to the Bundesliga and is a remarkably efficient player who can cause havoc in the box.
Achraf Hakimi [Morocco]
Age: 23
Position: midfielder/winger/fullback
Stats for country: 53 matches/8 goals/7 assists
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Stats for club: 56 matches/6 goals/8 assists
What to look forward to: pace, crossing, late runs into the box
Having a fullback on this list was a must given how important they are to the ambitions of a team defensively and offensively. Hakimi has, over the last four years, emerged as one of the most entertaining players on the right side of defence. It helps that he has Mbappe, Messi, Neymar, and the stars of PSG to combine with. At Morocco he has the likes of Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri in support and anything good they do will have Hakimi at the heart of it.
Son Heung-Min [South Korea]
Age: 30
Position: winger/forward
Stats for country: 106 matches/35 goals/17 assists
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Stats for club: 338 matches/136 goals/90 assists
What to look forward to: sharpshooting with both feet, runs down the left wing, trickery and technique
It is very difficult to not like Son. The Spurs player is probably the biggest sporting celebrity in South Korea and overcame a difficult start to the season with a phenomenal hat-trick earlier in the Premier League. On Son’s shoulders lie the hopes of his nation, their best finish being 4th place way back in World Cup 2002 [In Korea and Japan]. Son will have to be at his best to end 20 years of waiting to get into the knockouts.
Jude Bellingham [England]
Age: 19
Position: midfielder
Stats for country: 17 matches/1 assist
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Stats for club: 104 matches/15 goals/20 assists
What to look forward to: drives from midfield, ability to take on players, maturity at his age
The excitement around Bellingham is real. This name could easily have been Phil Foden, who is exceptionally talented himself, but Bellingham belies his age. Experts have called him better than the likes of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard at their prime, and this boy is still not 20. The most wanted English talent in the world will be one to watch out for.
Karim Benzema [France]
Age: 34
Position: striker
Stats for country: 97 matches, 37 goals
Club: Real Madrid
Stats for club: 614 matches/327 goals/160 assists
What to look forward to: Benzema sustained a thigh injury just before the World Cup was scheduled to start in Qatar.
Benzema has probably been the most complete striker in the world over the last four years. Emerging from the shadows of Cristiano Ronaldo since CR7 left Madrid, Benzema has captained Real Madrid in a glorious phase of his career. After being banished for over five years from the France team due to a scandal, Benzema was set to return and lead his country along with the incredible Kylian Mbappe to add to his collection of five Champions League titles.
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