The World Cup 2018 will be a showcase for some of football’s greatest talents. Our eyes will behold some of the world’s best going about their business while also being treated to new and upcoming icons of the beautiful game. We have listed down a few names which will definitely be the ones to watch out for this summer.
Despite being considered the greatest of all time by most of the world, you’ll be surprised to know that in his native Argentina, he’s still second best to Maradona. Messi is out on a mission, and despite getting very little support from his team, he carried his nation through the qualifiers. This might be the last World Cup he gets to play in his prime so expect the 5-time Ballon d’Or winner to bring his A-game.
Speaking of A-games and primes, the same applies to Cristiano Ronaldo. Europe’s most lethal hitman may have just won three consecutive Champions League title, but he will be looking to add the elusive World Cup to his already shiny trophy cabinet. With speculations of him leaving Madrid growing stronger than ever, Ronaldo would definitely seek to be the centre of attention on the pitch as well.
Fate dealt Neymar a bad hand in the 2014 World Cup. After a brilliant start to the tournament, one bad tackle from Juan Zuniga saw the poster boy of Brazil in the sidelines, having to watch his team getting torn apart by eventual winners Germany. Neymar is in the form of his life, and the scary part is, he hasn’t even hit his prime yet. He will be definitely seeking redemption and we wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end. Then again, who would?
Enough of the Messi and Ronaldo buzz, the World Cup sees the rise of a new superstar every four years and Chucky Lozano might be the chosen one. A pace merchant of the most elite kind with a keen eye for goal, he will finally get to show the world how good he is, something Eredivisie fans have known for a while.
The Belgian was arguably the best player in the Premier League this year along with Mohamed Salah. KDB is the centrepiece of Belgium’s golden generation and with his ability to single-handedly dictate a game, Belgium will be a major threat to this World Cup.
The two most important things in football are scoring goals and winning games, and the young Frenchmen does both in abundance. A born finisher, the 19-year-old would look to emulate some of France’s greatest and rise to the occasion this World Cup.
A street painter during the 2014 World Cup to Brazil’s first choice striker four years later, it has been a fairytale for Gabriel Jesus. A huge problem with Brazil’s line-up last time was its over-reliance on Neymar. This time though they have more than one superstar capable of carrying the team all the way to glory.
We couldn’t have possibly made this list without this man. Mohamed Salah is arguably the world’s most in-form player at this moment. It was sad to see the Egyptian get injured during the Champions League final and we hope that he continues to bang in goals left, right and centre during the greatest show on earth.
There’s something about Thomas Muller during World Cups. No matter how bad a season he might be having with his club, when it comes to the biggest stage there can be no one more dangerous than him. With already 10 World Cup goals to his name, the 28-year-old would look to better his fellow countryman Klose’s tally.
Spain is among the most talented teams in the world but that talent mostly consists of technically gifted playmakers and hardly anyone who can take advantage of that. Spanish supporters have had their prayers answer as they now have a fast and clinical to take advantage of all the through balls and sleek passes. Potential golden boot winner!
The South Korean has all the ability in the world to be the ultimate surprise package. With the capability of scoring with both feet from every possible distance and angle, he is indeed someone to look out for this World Cup. Truly an exciting prospect.
