Over the years, the biggest global soccer competition, the FIFA World Cup brings the best football rivalry and talents across the world to compete for football’s most prized silverware. As Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup draws near, here are some of the greatest footballers to look out for.
Big Players To Watch Out For At Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup
1. Christiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Christiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest talents gracing the soccer stage will be playing in his fifth FIFA World Cup after participating in the 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018 editions. In all the previous editions with the exception of 2014, he scored some crucial goals that were instrumental to Portugal going beyond the group stage.
So 2022 is another opportunity for the 5-time Ballon d’Or winner to show the world that age doesn’t slow him down.
2. Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Messi, often regarded as a ‘god’ in football will be making his 5th World Cup appearance come November 20, 2022, in Qatar after playing in the 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018 editions. he scored six goals from the 19 matches he played at the 4 previous FIFA World Cups. He helped Argentina reach the final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, but was beaten 1-0 by Germany in extra-time.
The 37-year-old who won the Ballon d’Or 8 times would capitalize on his exploits during the 2022 Copa America to show his critics that he still has blood running in his veins.
3. Neymar Jr. (Brazil)
Neymar has established himself as a fine finisher after scoring over 200 goals at the club level, and more than 50 for his country. He has been to two editions of the FIFA World; Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018, where Brazil was eliminated in the semi-final and quarter-final stages by Germany and Belgium, respectively.
The former Barcelona forward scored 6 goals from 10 World Cup games for Brazil, he is definitely a star to watch out for in Qatar.
4. Kylian Mbappe (France)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTJwdL6du0U
So, he is another star to look out for in Qatar.
5. Karim Benzema (France)
Karim Benzema made his France debut in 2007 but has only played in one FIFA World Cup; Brazil 2014, in which he scored 3 goals. In 2018, he was omitted from France’s 23-man squad for the World Cup in Russia. Three years later, he was part of the team that represented the country in UEFA Euro 2020, and scored 4 goals to help them advance to the knockout stage, but were beaten by Switzerland on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
His creativity, versatility, and goal-scoring abilities would add depth to France’s attack in Qatar.
6. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)
Kevin De Bruyne, described by Pundits as a “complete player” is one of the most talented midfielders of his time. He made his world cup debut at the 2014 FIFA World in Brazil, scoring one goal and providing two assists. Similarly, he repeated the feat at Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup with a goal and two assists, but Belgium lost to eventual champions, France in the semi-final, and beat England 2-0 in the third place match.
He will be at the heart of Belgium’s midfield in Qatar 2022 as they plan to improve from their semi-final exit in 2018.
7. Vinicius Jr. (Brazil)
At 24, Brazilian winger, Vinicius Jr will be making his world cup debut in Qatar after establishing himself as a talented player with amazing dribbling skills, high pace, and shooting. He made his debut for Brazil’s national team in 2019 and has scored one goal in fourteen games. In addition, he netted more than 20 goals in 123 games for the Spanish club, Real Madrid. Therefore, the lights will be on him in Qatar
8. Virgil van Dijk ( The Netherlands)
Dutch defender, Virgil van Dijk has never played in any FIFA World since his senior national team debut in October 2015. Qatar 2022 will be his first time at the international competition after missing the 2018 edition due to a knee injury.
The 33-year-old is one of the best defenders of his generation in the world. His aerial ability and defensive prowess will be pivotal to the Netherlands’ defense come November 20, 2022.
9. Son Heung-Min (South Korea)
Qatar FIFA 2022 will be the South Korean’s third World Cup after representing his country in Brazil and Russia in 2014 and 2018, respectively. Though he scored in both World Cups, his goal which helped his side to eliminate Germany in the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup would never be forgotten. Watch out for him in Qatar.
10. Harry Kane (England)
See Also-20 Big Players That Won’t Be At Qatar World Cup 2022
11. Luka Modric (Croatia)
Qatar 2022 will be the fourth FIFA World Cup outing for Luka Modric, one of the greatest midfielders to walk the earth. He led Croatia to their first FIFA World Cup final in Russia 2018 but lost 2-4 to France. As a result of his leadership and stellar performance in Russia, he won the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award, The Best FIFA Men’s Player, and the Ballon d’Or.
All eyes will be on him as the best teams and players across the globe battle for the biggest silverware in football in Qatar.
12. Pedri (Spain)
Though quite young, 22-year-old Spanish midfielder has shown character, maturity, and skill as a fine playmaker. He will be making his FIFA World Cup debut in Qatar after impressing his national team coach during the Euro 2020, even though Spain was beaten 4-2 by Italy in the semi-final. So, the 2022 Wordl Cup will give him the opportunity to further show the magnitude of his talent to the world.
13. Christian Pulisic (United States)
Pulisic will be one of the players to watch out for in the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022. His style of play and pace saw him nicknamed “Captain America” by fans and other players. He has contributed to Chelsea winning the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League trophy, the first American to do so.
14. Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
Polish striker, Robert Lewandowski will captain his country in his second World Cup appearance in Qatar, with his first in 2018. Since his national team debut in 2008, Poland failed to qualify for the 2010 and 2014 editions.
The 36-year-old is one of the finest strikers in football, he scored over 600 goals for club and country. The eyes of the world will be on him in Qatar.
15. Thomas Muller (Germany)
In addition, he scored one of seven goals against the host nation, Brazil in the FIFA 2018 semi-final, and received the Silver Boot as the tournament’s second-highest goalscorer with five goals, after Germany beat Argentina to lift football’s coveted trophy for the fourth time.
16. Gareth Bale (Wales)
Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup will be the first time for the 35-year-old Welsh and former Real Madrid winger. Before 2022, his country qualified only once; in 1958.
Bale and his teammates made history to qualify 64 years after Wales’ first world cup qualification. Wales defeated Ukraine 1-0 in the play-off on June 5, 2022.
Having scored 40 goals for his country, the winger is one of the big players to look out for.
17. Manuel Neuer (Germany)
German goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer has played in the 2010, 2014, and 2018 FIFA World Cups, Qatar 2022 will be his fourth. He played an important role in Germany’s 2014 World Cup victory in Brazil. In 2018, his country was knocked out of the competition in the group stage by South Korea despite his series of fine saves.
He is one goalie that the world would keep its eyes on in Qatar.
18. Hugo Lloris (France)
French goalkeeper and captain, Hugo Lloris was part of the team that represented his country in three previous FIFA World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018). His performances at the goalpost kept improving since France’s group stage elimination in South Africa in 2010, he led them to the quarter-final in 2014, and the World Cup trophy in 2018.
He would be looking to produce some fine saves to help his country defend the title they won four years ago in Russia.
19. Eden Hazard (Belgium)
The Belgian captain will be making his third World Cup appearance in Qatar after Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018. Eden Hazard and his teammates had a good outing in Russia except for their elimination from the competition in the semi-final by France. They went to finish in third place after beating England 2-0 in the third place match.
At the end of the 2018 World, he was awarded the silver ball for being the second-best player behind Croatia’s Luka Modric.
20. Luis Suarez (Uruguay)
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