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QATAR 2022

Five standout stars at the 2022 World Cup

Tchouaméni, Bellingham, Ounahi, Livakovic and Juranovic have had strong tournaments and the bidding has begun for some of them.

Daniel L. Peinado
Daniel L. Peinadodanipeinado93
France's midfielder #08 Aurelien Tchouameni (R) is challenged by England's midfielder #22 Jude Bellingham (C) during the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final football match between England and France at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha, on December 10, 2022. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP)
GABRIEL BOUYSAFP

There is only one game left to find out who will be the new World Cup champion. Will it be Lionel Messi’s Argentina or Kylian Mbappé's France? One of the two teams will win their third World Cup. In the 62 matches that have been played so far, many players have announced themselves on the biggest stage ahead of the next transfer window.

Jude Bellingham

One of the most highly rated players and one who confirmed that he will be one of the best midfielders of the next decade is Jude Bellingham. The Englishman, who could not lead his team to the semi-finals, was England’s standout player at the World Cup, providing assists and scoring. He is the complete midfielder. Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester City are all reportedly interested and will have to pay more than €100 million if they want to get him next summer.

Aurélien Tchouaméni

Real Madrid will be thinking that it was €80 million well spent on Tchouaméni. The Frenchman has stood tall in the absence of N’Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba in midfield. Defensively strong and the one to get France moving, he has been one of his country’s best and the most surprising thing is that he is doing it at just 22 years of age. The future is already here.

Aurélien Tchouaméni looks on during the Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-final football match between France and Morocco at the Al-Bayt Stadium on December 14, 2022. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
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Aurélien Tchouaméni looks on during the Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-final football match between France and Morocco at the Al-Bayt Stadium on December 14, 2022. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)FRANCK FIFEAFP

Julián Álvarez

One of the finalists, Argentina, are not only excelling because of Leo Messi. In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández have stepped up and the big European clubs are already on the lookout. Liverpool could already have an agreement in place for Enzo. In attack, Julián Álvarez is emerging as one of the best strikers of the tournament. The World Cup could be a turning point in his future in Europe.

Josko Gvardiol

Croatia are once again producing talent. Gvardiol has been one of the best centre-backs in Qatar and teams such as City, United, Real Madrid and Chelsea have all made a bid for the player. His team-mate, Josip Juranovic, has also been one of the most outstanding players at the World Cup and at the age of 27 he could make the jump from Celtic to a top league. Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic is on Bayern Munich’s radar after some great performances in goal.

Cody Gakpo

Morocco made history by reaching the semi-finals for the first time for an African team, and midfielder Ounahi has been their most outstanding player. The Moroccan plays for Angers in Ligue 1, and teams such as Barça and Leicester have already shown interest. Gonçalo Ramos and Cody Gakpo have also put themselves in the shop window with some fine displays at the World Cup. The Portuguese has a €120 million release clause with Benfica and the Dutchman looks set to leave PSV in the winter transfer window for around €80 million.