The World Cup has always been a breeding ground for discovering fresh young prodigies, and at Qatar 2022, there has been an emergence of sensational talent. So here are the beneficiaries, who's status has soared at this winter's tournament.
Goncalo Ramos
The 21-year-old Benfica striker made his senior Portuguese debut three days before the Qatar World Cup commenced. He was the subject of strong interest from PSG and Newcastle in the summer and has scored a goal every 89 minutes (9 goals in 11 games) for The Eagles in the Liga Portugal in 2022/23. In Portugal’s Round of 16 knock-out clash with Switzerland, manager Fernando Santos decided to start Ramos, making the seismic decision to drop Portugal’s all-time top goal scorer Cristiano Ronaldo. The youngster had arguably the game of the entire World Cup, scoring a hat-trick in his 74 minutes. He became the first player to score a hat-trick at a World Cup since Miroslav Klose in 2002, and was the youngest player to ever score a hat-trick at a World Cup. The highlight of his three goals, came in the 67 minute when he received the ball from Joao Felix and casually dinked Yann Sommer into the bottom left-hand corner. In just his first ever World Cup for the ‘Selecao das Quinas’ he has more knock-out goals in the tournament than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo combined. Is he the new heir to Cristiano Ronaldo?
Jamal Musiala
Bundesliga fans will have been familiar with the stardom of 19-year-old Musiala before the World Cup; currently he has 15 goal contributions for Bayern Munich in 2022/23. However, it seems the global stage has elevated the 17-time capped German playmaker’s form. In ‘Die Mannschaft’s crucial final group game against Costa Rica, he managed the most dribbles (12) ever by a teenager in a single World Cup game and he recorded the highest number of touches (24) in the entire competition. He has become the creative catalyst within Hansi Flick’s side, where his ability to chicane through defenders and find pockets of space on the pitch makes him his country’s most important player. In Germany’s dismal three group matches, he recorded 6.6 dribbles per match and made eight key passes. His only weakness is his composure in the final third and his clinical ability. Too often he glides past the opposition, magnetising defenders to him, but then will mishit his shot. What is evident, is that in this evolving young Germany side he represents their future, and they should prioritise re-building this underperforming side around him. It was such a shame that his attacking talent was short-lived at the World Cup, because he is such an entertaining and lively player to watch.
Mohammed Kudus
The Ghanaian attacker has 17 caps for his country, scoring seven goals and he has quickly emerged as a top transfer target, following his influential World Cup displays. He became the first Ghanaian player to score twice in a single World Cup game when he netted two decisive goals, in the 3-2 victory over South Korea. The Ajax playmaker has risen to the pressure and became his countries talisman at this winter World Cup. For both club and country, he has been provided with the freedom, to drive with the ball and create chances for his teammates. In Qatar, he had a 71.4% dribble success rate, and his performances have single-handily galvanised this Ghanaian side during the group stage. It is evident, that he motivates his players on the pitch, through his creativity and skill on the ball. This form is replicated for his club, where he has five goals in 14 appearances in the Dutch Edrevise in 2022/23. In order to elevate his potential to that next level the only absence currently in his game, is his assists. While it's great to watch this fiery and direct attacking midfielder, too often his service and decision-making is missing.
Josko Gvardiol
The promising central defender is quickly establishing himself for his club and country and attracting interest from Europe’s elite. Chelsea’s £77.4m summer bid was rebuffed by Leipzig, and his value will only have increased since his impressive debut World Cup performances. The 20-year-old has played every minute so far on Croatia’s journey to the Quarter Finals and in the Vatreni’s four games at this tournament he has accomplished two clean sheets. What makes Gvardiol such a desirable asset for teams is his versatility and poise. He has the strength and ruthlessness in challenges which make him powerful at the back, but yet is still composed and silky in possession. His emergence has been ideal for Zlatko Dalic, after Croatia’s golden generation reached the 2018 World Cup final, they have needed a dependable centre-back to succeed Verdan Corluka and Domagoj Vida. Leipzig will do very well to keep him after this season, because he is a player who deserves to play for a top title challenging side. As well, he seems such a mature and confident individual for Croatia for such a young age and he has partnered brilliantly with Dejan Lovren for this tournament where both were outstanding in Croatia’s 1-1 draw to Japan in the Round of 16.
Enzo Fernandez
The Argentinian secured a £10m move from boyhood club River Plate to Benfica in the summer. At first, he was an unknown talent playing in the Liga Portugal, but at this World Cup he has announced himself to the world. He was substituted on in the 57th minute against Mexico and later received the ball from Lionel Messi, before a couple of step-overs and a pinpoint curling effort into the right-hand corner. His introduction into that game, appeared to lift his teammates and he was able to get further forward and affect the game compared to before. Since, Lionel Scaloni has started the 21-year-old in their last two fixtures, and he went and got an assist against Poland. It has seemed an intelligent transfer by Benfica, who have already slapped a £100m price tag on Fernandez in an attempt to warden off interest. In addition, he has made on average 88.8 accurate passes per game and has an 89.5% pass success rate. His involvement seems to be the catalyst to Argentina’s rise since their opening day defeat to Saudi Arabia. He just brings fluidity and allows his teammates more freedom, because of his excellent movement and work rate.
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