12 Biggest 2022 World Cup Stars To Keep An Eye On

World Cup is a stage for the best footballers all around the world to perform. It determines the sport’s men’s world champion. It’s likely the most popular sporting event in the world, drawing billions of TV viewers every tournament. And it’s no doubt that football is the King of sport.
The FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar is known as the first time to be hosted in the Middle East with many special things. The World Cup usually takes place at mid-year but when comes to Qatar, an exception just had to be thrown. The number of stadiums is reported to be eight stadiums - the fewest stadium in history. In addition, the number of visitors who are expected to arrive in Qatar during the event is a record number. And last but not least, this World Cup is considered the last tournament for the biggest footballers in the last two decades: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who are looking for their biggest title remaining.
However, alongside Ronaldo and Messi, there’re a bunch of superstars such as Kevin De Bruyne, Neymar, Vinicius Jr., Luka Modric, Harry Kane, Pedri, and Virgil van Dijk who also aim for their first world titles with the strongest status. Defending champions France with other superstars like Benzema and Kylian Mbappe have a lot of work to do before starting their journey in Qatar. Now, let’s take a look at some of the biggest 2022 World Cup stars!

#1 Kylian Mbappe (France)

Source: cnn

Mbappe had a superb performance for France as Didier Deschamps' side sealed the world title in 2018, but the PSG star has reached another level in the last two seasons and should be one of the standout performers for the defending champions.

#2 Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Source: 21stcenturychronicle

People will never know what Messi can do in a football match. His powers have been exaggerated in the past couple of years, with the mercurial Argentine performing his talents in a deeper role at PSG. There’s a whole country and a great number of fans all around the world supporting him to finally add a World Cup to his glittering list of individual and team accolades. This is basically the last chance for Lionel Messi.

#3 Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Source: marca

Despite having a bad time at Manchester United, Ronaldo will still be expected to shine in Qatar, as he competes in a record-equaling fifth final. He is one of the greatest strikers of all time and the decade battle with Messi is likely coming to an end. Struggling to North Macedonia to secure a place in the tournament, the 2016 European champion has to do more than that in Qatar.

#4 Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)

Source: mirror

De Bruyne will be assigned with the task of eventually helping Belgium to lose their 'nearly men' tag in Qatar, with a star-studded line-up having consistently underperformed in previous tournaments. Still, the superstar is on the wing with scoring robot’ Earling Haaland and will be determined to prove himself as the No.1 midfielder in world football.

#5 Vinicius Jr. (Brazil)

Source: Aiscoreapp via Facebook

Under the pressure of becoming a key player for both Real Madrid and Brazil in the last two years, Vinicius Jr. has risen to a superstar literally. He and his perfect partner at Real Madrid, Karim Benzema have conquered the Laliga, and his world-class potential makes him one of the most worth-watching stars in Qatar.

#6 Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands)

Source: skysports

Known as a defensive rock of Liverpool, Van Dijk is another big name at World Cup. The Dutch are much more powerful at the back and in midfield than they have been in recent years. He and his Premier League rival De Bruyne both aim to solidify his tag as one of the best players in their position in the football world.

#7 Neymar (Brazil)

Source: cnn

It’s no doubt that Brazil is still a big name for the World Cup champion. And Neymar also determines to prove himself when he is in the late of his career without a Ballon d'Or as he expected. He will continue to shoulder the burden of his country’s hope on the biggest stage in Qatar this year.

#8 Pedri (Spain)

Source: mirror

La Roja star Pedri is a rising star and the latest midfielder off the Spanish production line, which previously produced Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi. When Busquests’s performance at Nou Camp has been poor recently, he will be looking to build on a fantastic breakthrough showing, like what he did at Euro 2020.

#9 Karim Benzema (France)

Source: guardian

The 2022 Ballon d'Or owner Karim Benzema certainly gain the spotlight when arriving in Qatar. Deschamps' choice to recall Benzema for Euro 2020 was met with a mixed public response in France, as Les Bleus bowed out of the competition at the Round of 16. Still, the veteran forward has reminded everyone of his big-game talents in 2021/22, not least in the Champions League, and he remains one of the deadliest finishers in the world.

#10 Alphonso Davies (Canada)

Source: tsn

Canada made a surprise when returning for the first time since 1986 in Mexico, and they made so without their talisman for the final push. Davies was ruled out after suffering from myocarditis, inflammation of the heart, in addition to a COVID-19 infection. The Bayern Munich player’s emotional reaction on social media to Canada securing their place in Qatar showed how much it means to him and he will be desperate to shine on the largest stage.

#11 Christian Pulisic (USA)

Source: ussoccer

The Chelsea playmaker Pulisic has been the standout of their qualifying campaign, and he will hope to take his big-game experience at the club level with him onto the world stage as part of Gregg Berhalter's talent-packed roster.

#12 Harry Kane (England)

Source: walesonline

England captain Harry Kane will be the key player for Gareth Southgate's side as the Three Lions aim to build on their Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy. Kane edged himself back into top form in the second half of the 2021/22 Premier League season and has begun the new campaign in a fashion that suggests he can once again thrive on the biggest stage.