Every World Cup has its breakout stars, with players suddenly having hundreds of millions of people watching them globally, turning them into superstars overnight.
In 1958, Pele introduced himself to the world, scoring six goals from the quarter-final to the final. In 2014, it was James Rodriguez for his career-defining volley against Uruguay, earning him a huge summer move to Real Madrid.
So, who are the breakout stars of the Qatar World Cup 2022 so far?
Sofyan Amrabat
Amrabat has been Morocco’s breakout star in a tournament where they have beaten FIFA world ranked 2nd, 7th and 9th teams in Belgium, Spain, and Portugal, respectively.
Morocco’s defensive ability has been their most talked about quality, with their only goal conceded so far being an own goal. That defensive quality begins with Amrabat in midfield. His no-nonsense tackling and tireless running led to fans making memes of Amrabat holding onto and picking up Spain’s midfield three like children, which he reposted on his Instagram story.
In the 2022 January transfer window, Amrabat was close to joining Antonio Conte’s Tottenham side on an initial loan with an option to buy for £14m. Tottenham are reportedly still interested in the midfield destroyer; however, other reports suggest Liverpool are keeping tabs on the Moroccan, too.
Unfortunately for the teams interested, Amrabat’s increased reputation has increased his value too, with Fiorentina rumoured to be valuing their World Cup semi-finalist at around €40m.
Amrabat’s midfield partner, Morocco and Angers midfielder, Azzedine Ounahi, deserves a shout-out, too, his performance against Spain garnering interest from Barcelona. Ounahi is an industrious, but stylish player combining energy with inventiveness to drive Morocco forward when Amrabat inevitably wins the ball in the midfield.
Josko Gvardiol
Despite being destroyed by Lionel Messi for the third goal in Croatia’s 3-0 loss to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final, Gvardiol’s stock has risen significantly during this tournament. His goal-saving tackle against Romelu Lukaku and his first-half performance against Brazil have been the 20-year-old’s highlights of his first World Cup.
After breaking into Croatia’s European Championships squad in 2021, Gvardiol’s performances at left-back secured him a move to talent factory RB Leipzig. However, it is performances at centre back in this World Cup that have led his national team manager, Zlato Dalic, to call him the “best central defender in the world” because “he is so strong, confident and elegant at the same time, and does everything with incredible ease.”
With his World Cup performances proving his world class quality, and his manager’s words of praise, Chelsea will be kicking themselves for not signing him for £75m last summer, with reports now suggesting that Manchester City are prepared to pay more than £90m for the young Croatian.
Enzo Fernandez
After losing to Saudi Arabia in Argentina’s first group game of the World Cup, Lionel Scaloni knew he had to make changes to his Argentina team if they were to get out of their group. During Argentina’s second group game against Mexico, Fernandez came off the bench at 0-0 and changed the game.
The 21-year-old midfielder’s goal secured the three points, and he has started every game since. His introduction has coincided with Lionel Messi’s upturn in form and Argentina now look like a team capable of winning the World Cup. A fate that would be inconceivable from their opening performance against Saudi Arabia.
Fernandez brings creativity and accurate, defence-splitting passing from deep in midfield. Drawing attention from markers to him allows the forwards in front of him the space to wreak havoc on opposition defences, which Messi has benefited from greatly.
With Jude Bellingham’s valuation increasing to around £130m, Liverpool have become increasingly interested in the young Argentine. However, as Liverpool already know after signing Darwin Nunez for £75m, Benfica don’t sell for cheap either, with reports suggesting that any clubs wanting to sign Fernandez would have to activate his £103m release clause.
If Benfica manage to fetch this price it will prove to be amazing business by the Portuguese giants once again ,having signed him for around £10m in the summer from River Plate.