Qatar 2022 World Cup starting from 20 November to 18 December 2022 will be an exciting moment for all football lovers to watch the best players in the sport from every corner of the globe.
In this listicle, Quest Times’ AROGBONLO ISRAEL selected the prime stars and the performances everyone should be taking in when all eyes turn to Qatar this winter.
Here are the top 10 must-watch players in our pick:
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10. Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal)
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Despite not having a single minute for Spurs, Sarr could play a key role for Senegal at the World Cup in Qatar. For his country, Sarr has tended to operate as a number eight in a 4-3-3 or as part of a double pivot in a 4-2-3-1. The 20-year-old has built up an impressive relationship with the fluid attacking line, particularly with Sadio Mané and Ismaïla Sarr. He is a talented youngster to watch out for in Qatar.
9. Takefusa Kubo (Japan)
Club: Real Sociedad
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Kubo has made the most dribbles for Sociedad in 2022/23 so far, and also has the most touches inside the penalty area. When coming in from a wide position, the 21-year-old can jink, change direction and drop his shoulder both ways, to work shooting opportunities or drive around the outside to cross (below). When central, he drops towards the ball, barely ever leaving the space between the lines, but still making sure to receive the ball away from the opposition centre-backs on the half-turn. Watch out for him!
8. Leroy Aziz Sané (Germany)
Club: Bayern Munich
Sané made his senior international debut for Germany in November 2015 and was part of their squad that reached the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2016. On 16 November 2018, he scored his first goal for Germany against Russia following an assist from Serge Gnabry. The goal came in the eighth minute of the game as Germany won 3–0, would you bet against him repeating those heroics in Qatar?
7. Bukayo Saka (England)
Club: Arsenal
The 21-year-old Nigerian-British player has been instrumental in Arsenal’s winning streak this season and is expected to put up a good performance in Qatar this winter when he makes his World Cup debut for the English team. Saka is known for his attacking incisiveness and creativity and is often considered one of the best young football players in the world.
6. Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior (Brazil)
Club: Paris Saint Germain
Brazil’s newest hero will be expected to shoulder the expectations of millions this summer. As hosts, the Selecao will be expected to win their sixth FIFA World Cup despite the fact that this team led by Adenor Leonardo Bacchi is far from special. Neymar operates in a free role from the left-hand side of the Bacchi’s system, with striker Fred deployed to detract attention and create room for his countryman to work in. The PSG trickster has pace, quick feet, an eye for goal and a stunning pass, so keep your eyes peeled whenever he gets on the ball in the final third.
5. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)
Club: Manchester City
De Bruyne is a world-class player who is considered by some analysts as a “complete footballer”. De Bruyne made his full international debut in 2010, and he has since earned over 90 caps and scored 25 goals for Belgium. He was a member of the Belgian squads that reached the quarter-finals both at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and at UEFA Euro 2016. He represented Belgium at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where Belgium won the third place play-off match against England, and was named in the FIFA World Cup Dream Team. Can he make yet another history with Belgium in Qatar?
4. Pedro González López (Spain)
Club: Barcelona
Pedro González López, known as Pedri, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club Barcelona and the Spain national team. On 21 August 2020, Pedri was called up to the Spain under-21 squad; he later made his debut on 3 September in a 1–0 away win over Macedonia in a qualifying match for the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. In March 2021, Pedri received his first call-up to the Spain senior team from coach Luis Enrique ahead of the group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification. He made his debut on 25 March against Greece. The Golden Boy is another talent to watch out for in Qatar.
3. Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
Club: Barcelona
The 34-year-old forward is a beast when he comes to scoring. His debut for the senior national team came on 10 September 2008, three weeks after his 20th birthday, against San Marino where he came on as a substitute and scored a goal in a 2–0 away win in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification. He is currently the highest goal scorer in LaLiga with 14 goals and also one of the leading top strikers for the 2023 Ballon d’Or Power Ranking. His finishing is now bordering on deadly, and his pace a topnotch. If you let him cut inside onto his left foot, you’ll be down a goal in no time.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Club: Manchester United
Ronaldo is indeed one of the greatest players to greet this sport. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is hardworking, talented and a go-getter when it comes to scoring. A rasping long shot, searing pace, astonishing athletic presence and aerial ability make him unlike any other who plies the trade, and he’ll need to use every one of his incredible strengths to take Portugal as far as possible in this tournament.
- Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Club: Paris Saint Germain
The diminutive South American is a seven-time reigning Ballon d’Or winner and scored an astonishing 91 goals in the 2012 calendar year. During the World Cup in Germany, Messi witnessed their opening match victory against the Ivory Coast from the substitutes’ bench. In the next match, against Serbia and Montenegro, he became the youngest player to represent Argentina at a FIFA World Cup when he came on as a substitute in the 74th minute. He assisted their fourth strike within minutes and scored the final goal in their 6–0 victory, making him the youngest scorer in the tournament and the sixth-youngest goalscorer in the history of the World Cup. For many, he’s the best player in world football when fit, and he’s looking forward to lifting his first World Cup in Qatar. Sit back and enjoy the GOAT!