World Cup 2022: Ten world stars ready to shine in Qatar

KYLIAN MBAPPE (FRANCE)

The 23-year-old is one of the favourites – if not the favourite – to win the Golden Boot as he seeks to enhance his position as football’s latest poster boy having been named as the best young player in Russia four years ago.

The Paris St Germain forward is averaging a goal every other game for France and will spearhead the 2018 winners’ defence of their title having been prolific for the French team this season.

While the likes of Karim Benzema and Ousmane Dembele will play prominent roles in the French attack, it is Mbappe that will be carrying France’s hopes of back-to-back World Cup wins on his shoulders.

LIONEL MESSI (ARGENTINA)

It appears as though the world has been waiting for Messi to really light up a tournament and deliver on the biggest stage from the moment he made his debut in 2006.

Now, at the age of 35, this looks likely to be his last hurrah with Argentina and while his career appears to be winding down at Paris St Germain he is still capable of brilliance.

Last year, he led Argentina to success in the Copa America final against Brazil, landing his first major international trophy in the process. One year on, and could he be about to succeed on the biggest stage of all?

NEYMAR (BRAZIL)

Like Messi, Neymar is another South American superstar who carries the hopes of a nation on his shoulders, and at the age of 30, this should be prime time for the forward.

The Brazilian missed his nation’s semi-final in his homeland in 2014 through injury and was eliminated in the last eight four years ago, so will feel he has unfinished business despite six goals in ten World Cup appearances.

This is a Brazil side brimming with attacking talent – Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino did not even make the squad – but Neymar remains their key goalscoring threat.

VIRGIL VAN DIJK (NETHERLANDS)

Amazingly, the Dutch captain is playing in his first major tournament, having missed Euro 2020 through injury and the previous World Cup due to his country’s failure to qualify.

His leadership and defensive capabilities make the Dutch more resilient and provide security for the more attacking players in the squad.

The Netherlands’ defence is their biggest strength, with Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt another key performer, and while van Dijk has perhaps not been at his absolute best with Liverpool this season, he would still walk into pretty much any international team.

PEDRI (SPAIN)

The Barcelona midfielder may still only be 19, but he has already been hailed as a generational talent and his club manager Xavi describes him as a “superlative footballer”.

The Spain team he is playing in is not at the same level as the one his mentor pulled the strings in but that will not faze Pedri, who was named Young Player of Euro 2020 last year.

He sparkled throughout much of last summer’s tournament, and has the capability of playing another prominent role with his metronomic passing and incisive midfield vision.

KEVIN DE BRUYNE (BELGIUM)

The Manchester City playmaker is the kingpin of Belgium’s ‘golden generation’, but this too could be the last time for him to deliver with this group.

He has been immaculate and inspirational for his club for several seasons, who have benefited hugely from his passing ability and vision, and having helped Belgium to third in 2018 he will be key to them going further.

This is a Belgian side that is perhaps growing old together, but at the age of 31, de Bruyne remains a player in his prime.

JOSHUA KIMMICH (GERMANY)

The Bayern Munich midfielder has proved his versatility at the highest level, filling in at right-back when required, but his real talent is centrally where he dictates the play, sets the tempo and organises the team.

Inspired by former Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso, the 27-year-old’s progressive passing is a significant component in Germany’s tactics.

This is a German side that remains in a state of transition, but in Kimmich, they boast a proven performer who they can build the rest of their midfield around.

JUDE BELLINGHAM (ENGLAND)

Already touted as the most sought-after midfielder of next summer’s transfer window – Real Madrid and Liverpool have been heavily linked – Bellingham has shown in a number of performances for his club (Borussia Dortmund) and country this season that he has all the attributes to be able to slot into an elite side.

The nature of England’s tactics means there will be a huge emphasis on Bellingham as the key creator, with his fellow central midfielder, Declan Rice, set to be charged with the job of protecting a shaky defence.

Bellingham was something of a bit-part player at last summer’s Euros – one year on, and the teenager is set to ready to explode onto the international scene.

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI (POLAND)

Lewandowski has long been the world’s premier number nine and his move to Barcelona in the twilight of his career has far from dulled his instincts.

The difficulty for him – and Poland – is harnessing his talent to that of his international team-mates to be more effective in tournament football.

Up until now, Lewandowski has failed to make much of an impact at a major tournament – if his team-mates can create chances in the 18-yard box, he is more than capable of taking them.

SON HEUNG-MIN (SOUTH KOREA)

It has not been an easy build-up to the World Cup for Son, who fractured his eye socket while playing for Tottenham and needed surgery before being passed fit to join up with the rest of the South Korean squad in Qatar.

So much of South Korea’s play goes through the Spurs forward, so he will be pressed into action if he is anywhere close to being fit, and while he has not quite been at his best in the Premier League this season, he remains a seasoned and proven performer on the international stage.