- The World Cup has launched so many exciting young careers over the years
- SportsLeo looks at some of the young prospects who have graced the Qatar World Cup
The FIFA World Cup in Qatar has begun, and despite the controversy, negativity, and usual pre-tournament drama, there appears to be an air of youthfulness surrounding this year’s event.
Nobody is surprised that more and more teams have chosen younger squads for this year’s tournament. The number of players allowed on the flight to Qatar has been increased from 23 to 26. Many European nations have chosen to use the extra slots to integrate youth rather than increase the amount of experience on the roster.
While Spain and Germany have focused on building teams around young footballers in recent years, others, such as Portugal and the Netherlands, have added youngsters to an already-existing set of veterans.
1. Jamal Musiala & Youssoufa Moukoko (Germany)
Musiala, 19, is practically a household name in Germany by now, and people all over Europe are taking notice. He fits right in with this Germany team, which, without Toni Kroos, will be looking to move on from the 2018 World Cup disaster.
Jamal Musiala, Thomas Müller and Youssoufa Mokouko, Germany.|PHOTO: Daily Mail|
This is a new appearance. Hansi Flick introduced Die Mannschaft with a new identity infused throughout its streams. They play fast, aggressive, and clinical football, similar to the manager’s dominant Bayern Munich team, but with an added sense of unpredictability.
Musiala’s position in this team would be behind Thomas Muller. Ilkay Gundogan and Joshua Kimmich will round out a diverse and multifaceted midfield.
With 9 goals and 6 assists in 14 Bundesliga appearances so far this season, Musiala’s numbers aren’t just good for a midfielder – he competes with attackers in that sense.
Moukoko has scored several goals off the bench for Bayern Munich’s archrivals Borussia Dortmund this season. He, like Musiala, burst onto the scene at the age of 17, having previously represented another country at the youth level. But, unlike Musiala, he is unlikely to see much action at the World Cup.
Despite Timo Werner’s injury, Hansi Flick only needs to look to Muller or Mario Gotze for help up front. That means the youngster will have few chances to shine, but on the off chance, he could play in Germany’s final group stage game against Costa Rica if they have already qualified.
2. Jude Bellingham & Declan Rice (England)
This is the tournament for Bellingham, who has already proven his worth on the European stage. His recent performances in the Champions League against Manchester City drew attention, and it is clear that he is a man for the big stage. The prices will always appear exorbitant, but the Englishman is a brilliant player regardless.
Unsurprisingly, he’s been constantly compared to Jamal Musiala, who plays for his rival club, Bayern Munich, and has had a similar meteoric rise to the top.
Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham of England acknowledge the fans after victory in the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Quarter-final match between Ukraine and England.|PHOTO: Sky Sports|
Declan Rice remains a sort of standard bearer for English midfielders in the Premier League. He’s a complete footballer, as well as an exceptional vocal and exemplary leader on the field. It is for these reasons that he has been rated so highly by English football fans and managers alike since making his debut at the age of 17.
Rice is the definition of dynamism in football. His ball control and vision are comparable to that of any top Premier League footballer these days, but he’s proven time and again that he’s more than capable of putting in a shift in a deeper role while wearing the England shirt.
The West Ham United captain isn’t the youngest midfielder around at 23 years old, but he’s at the right stage of his career to take the next step.
3. Rafael Leao (Portugal)
Rafael Leao of Portugal.|PHOTO: Getty|
Leao may not receive as much attention as some of the other English or German performers on this list. However, he has already demonstrated his talent for AC Milan, winning the Serie A MVP award last season as the club won the league title for the first time in eleven years.
Leao is the pinnacle of what it means to be a modern-day winger. He is rather tall for a winger at 6’2″, but he is incredibly fast and skilled. In the blink of an eye, he can change the complexion of games with something magical.
Over the course of the season, he’s produced more than a few of those magical moments for AC Milan on the left flank.
4. Alphonso Davies (Canada)
It’s exciting to see Davies lead Canada out on the field in such a difficult group. As a result, he has been one of the very few non-forwards or attacking midfielders in Europe to garner such attention in recent seasons.
Typically, the Canadian team plays very vertical and direct football, which Davies fits perfectly into. However, in a group that also includes Belgium and Croatia, one must temper one’s expectations.
It’s unlikely that they’ll make it out of Group F, but Davies’ qualities will almost certainly be crucial to any good that comes out of Canada’s campaign.
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