In addition to the stars of the football planet landed in the light in Qatar, several of their teammates should take advantage of the spotlight to reveal themselves to the world.
Thirty-two selections, 800 players, and only twenty of them who will lift the FIFA World Cup in Doha on December 18. The 2022 edition will perhaps be the last opportunity to do so for several tutelary figures of the game, such as Messi, Ronaldo, Neuer, Benzema, Cavani or Lewandowski. It could also serve as a springboard for future generations, from early talents to players who hatched late, through those in the prime of life. Here are six that should, in all likelihood, be talked about during this month of competition.
Aurélien Tchouaméni, 22 years old, France
the rock
French fans who have never heard of Tchouaméni may quickly become familiar with his name during the World Cup, as Real Madrid’s new rock – recruited this summer for 80 million euros excluding bonuses – will be the essential cog in the Didier Deschamps in midfield. Ironically, when he exploded in Monaco last year, observers liked to describe him as a hybrid prototype, a fine mix between Pogba for the physique (187 centimeters hard to move) and Kanté for his faculties recovery. In Qatar, he will have to forget the two blue midfielders, injured. Not enough to stress the new barometer of Didier Deschamps’ team, given confidence by a good start since his first selection in September 2021. “Frankly, this position in the France team, I approach it with enthusiasm and desire, but no pressure. The pressure, I know it since I was very young and even more at Real.
Gavi, 18, Spain
The nugget
At just 18 years old, “Gavi is a marvel”, praises one of his most brilliant predecessors in the Spanish environment and coach in Barcelona, Xavi. He is the latest gem shaped by La Masia, Barça’s training center, after skipping all youth classes, winning a first contract with the Blaugranas in 2020. Such precocity that he became the youngest Spaniard in history to start at La Roja. His small size (1.73 m), and his ball-to-foot technique make him very difficult to channel, not to mention his defensive slaughter, exhausting for his opponents in the middle. What give some headaches to the staff of Didier Deschamps if by chance Spain were to cross the road of the Blues. Especially since we could also have mentioned Pedri, to whom Gavi succeeded the winners of the Raymond Kopa trophy for the best young person of the year 2022, as the two new centerpieces of the Spanish midfield seem as interchangeable as they are essential. , in their club Barça as in selection.
Jamal Musiala, 19, Germany
the gifted
Only three survivors of the 2014 German world champions remain in Qatar. The new generation is particularly embodied by one face: that of Bayern attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala. At the dawn of setting foot on the grounds of Doha, the 19-year-old Bavarian has already swallowed up all his records from past seasons, with 12 goals and 7 assists in the bag, and an ever-growing influence in the game. Third in the Kopa 2022 trophy for the best youngster of the year, the Anglo-German became the club’s youngest player to total 100 Bundesliga games last weekend. “He has extremely quick feet, like snake legs – the rebounds always seem to land in front of his feetpraises his coach Julian Nagelsmann, who “hope he will play even better during the World Cup and the second part of the season”. It remains to be seen if his wish will be granted.
Kim Min-jae, 26, South Korea
The warrior
In South Korea, Son Heung-min is the unmissable star, as if deified by an entire people. But behind the star striker of Tottenham, another “taeguk warrior” also dreams of taking the light. Namesake of a well-known actor in the country, the solid defender Kim Min-jae has also already made a name for himself in Korea, under the colors of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, in K-League 1 (the South Korean League 1 ) and in selection, from the top of his 41 capes. Shining on this World Cup at 26 – he was not in the group four years earlier – could make him explode internationally. Which, in fact, is starting to be the case in Europe, since he joined Italy and Naples last summer. Holder within the central hinge, he is one of the most prominent defenders in Serie A this year, within the only team of the five major championships with PSG to have still not lost this season. Major advantage: he does not make any big blunders. According to his coach Luciano Spalletti, his first real mistake took place last weekend, a slip causing a goal for the opponents. So rare that he took the time to apologize on Instagram, despite the victory.
Sardar Azmoun, 27 years old, Iran
The committed
On Monday, discovering the list of “Team Melli”, the entire Iranian population must have breathed a sigh of relief: Sardar Azmoun, the “Iranian Messi”, who has not played any match since the beginning of October due to a tear in his right calf, is one of the 25 players selected to go to Doha. Even at 50%, the center-forward of Bayer Leverkusen, 27, remains the number 1 asset of the Iranian selection. Without him, Iran’s slim hopes of making it to the Round of 16 would have been nearly dashed. Besides, Azmoun is not just a star on the field. While a movement of revolt has shaken his country for two months, he did not hesitate to show his support for the demonstrators via several messages on social networks. “If they are Muslims, may God make me an infidel”, he had written about the authorities in an Instagram post, denouncing the ongoing crackdown. Followed by 5 million people, his account was inaccessible for several days, before being restored. It remains to be seen whether he will be in time for the first match against England on November 21.
Mohammed Kudus, 22 ans, Ghana
The Swiss Army Knife
Will Ghana establish its status as the best African country in the World Cup in the 21st century in Doha? Part of the answer lies between the feet of 22-year-old Mohammed Kudus. Landed at Ajax Amsterdam this year, his start to the season is meteoric, carried by ten goals, including four in the Champions League, and two assists. “Technically gifted, with a good rhythm and multifunctional. Kudus can play in all midfield positions anyway, but he can also play up front or on the right […] He looks a bit like a young Clarence Seedorf.said former Danish international John Steen Olsen in The Telegraph, when he was still a player for Nordsjælland, Denmark. Versatility that can fill many holes in the composition of the “Blackstars”. Under cover that the physical glitches that undermined his early career leave him alone, the new offensive leader of Ghana could well occupy the international scene for a long time in the years to come.