As the world braces for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Michezo Afrika takes a look at five youngsters would could potentially light up the tournament in the Arabian Gulf.
Kylian Mbappe was undoubtedly the star of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, the teenager inspiring France to their second ever title and in some style.
As the world braces for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Michezo Afrika takes a look at five youngsters would could potentially light up the tournament in the Arabian Gulf.
We start with the Spaniard Pedri Gonzalez. The Barcelona youngsters is gradually becoming a regular for club and country. The lad possesses a passing ability and footwork that draws comparisons with his childhood idol Andres Iniesta.
“I always loved Iniesta and his way of playing soccer, because of how he was both on and off the field,” Pedri told the media in an interview last year. “He has been my reference and I have tried to model myself on him.” He was a member of Spain’s team that lost last year’s Olympic final to Brazil and will attempt to help his country go one step further in Qatar.
There is usually a lot of hype around English players, but Jude Bellingham certainly looks, feels and plays like the real deal. The 6 foot 1 Borussia Dortmund forward has just become the teenager to score in four consecutive Champions League matches after Erling Haaland and Mbappe. He often uses his big frame to fend off the opposition while on defense or attack and will be looking to put in a strong performance in the World Cup.
Jamal Musiala of Germany will be another player to watch. The former England U21 international can play any position in midfield and is having a blinder of a season for his current club side, Bayern Munich. He has managed 8 goals in 15 outings for the Bavarians, this scoring touch going to compliment his renowned passing ability.
Another player from Borrusia Dortmund who makes the five to look out for is American attacking midfielder Gio Reyna, who just happens to be the son of former USA captain Claudio Reyna. An attacking midfielder, Reyna has proved himself useful for Dortmund and will be out to replicate this form for the USA in Qatar.
His country man Yunus Musah rounds off the five to watch. Musah, who was born in the USA to Ghanaian parents spent most of his early in England, getting to feature for the various English international age grade teams before opting to play for the USA. A versatile midfielder, Musah was key to Valencia’s run to the Copa del Rey’s final where they lost on penalties to Real Betis.