Takefusa Kubo could be a star in the making at the 2022 men's World Cup.
James Rodríguez. Asamoah Gyan. Keylor Navas. The World Cup is the ultimate stage for breakout stars to thrust their name into global recognition.
As Qatar 2022 looms, so does the prospect of lesser known players capitalising on the greatest audition of them all. Forget the likes of Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and other youngsters who have operated at the top level for considerable time already; we are focusing on those who are potentially about to take the next step.
Keep an eye out for these names. They could be about to explode.
We tried so hard not to mention the "Japanese Messi." Takefusa Kubo is actually a very well-known talent after spending a few years in Barcelona’s academy before Real Madrid snuck in to capture his signature in 2019.
He’s even a key ambassador for Konami’s eFootball alongside the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Trent Alexander-Arnold, so huge things are expected of the 21-year-old whose potential has been making headlines for over a decade.
It hasn’t all gone to plan for Kubo, though. He failed to force his way into Madrid’s plans and spent the last few years on loan at Mallorca (twice), Villarreal and Getafe before joining Real Sociedad in the summer.
The versatile attacker has two goals and two assists in 12 La Liga appearances this season. He is part of a Japan squad who are unbeaten in their last five matches, but he has an almighty challenge to overcome Germany, Spain and Costa Rica in the group stage. The headline matches against those first two names are the perfect platform for Kubo to galvanise excitement in his career.
There are similarities to Martin Ødegaard here. It took him longer than people expected, with many writing the teen wonder off, before he settled and became club captain at Premier League-leading Arsenal. Kubo is crafty and plays with great flair, but he needs to improve his goal threat. Now is the perfect time to start.
The time is now for Cody Gakpo. PSV Eindhoven’s brilliant 23-year-old is already linked with the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid; this World Cup should be considered his moment to secure the elite move that just evaded him in the summer.
Gakpo is best known for his work from the left wing, where he often cuts inside onto his right foot before causing havoc in the opponent’s box. Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal is most likely to use him in a central No. 10 role at the tournament, with Memphis Depay and Steven Bergwijn sitting ahead of him.
Wherever he plays, Gakpo is absolutely lethal. He has an incredible nine goals and 13 assists in just 14 Eredivisie matches this season, not to mention five goal contributions in five Europa League appearances. He is tall, strong and great on the ball; the kind of player who often needs special attention from multiple players to stop from significantly influencing a game.
You get the sense Gakpo would be an excellent replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United, or when the time comes, Mohamed Salah at Liverpool. Those who have seen him play already will know he’s destined for great things. Those who will see him for the first time at the World Cup should soon follow the same line of thinking.
Senegal’s squad is packed with quality, combative midfielders who provide a solid base for the likes of Sadio Mané (if fit) and Ismaïla Sarr to burst forward. It isn’t a squad that scores many goals–with just six in their last five games–so the midfield is going to have to work overtime to shore things up and keep play progressing.
Pape Matar Sarr is an exciting option who can help give more established stars like Idrissa Gana Gueye, Cheikhou Kouyaté and Nampalys Mendy a breather. Tottenham signed the youngster in August last year and subsequently loaned him back to Metz, where his game developed at a decent clip.
Sarr is a useful carrier of the ball and has the ability to add directness to a midfield that can tend to play it too safe at times. Aliou Cissé’s players are well-drilled but will need to take calculated risks to escape a group featuring the Netherlands, Ecuador and hosts Qatar. Sarr can loosen the reins a little and has the directness that can make him stand out in Senegal’s compact midfield unit.
Newcastle United fans, it’s time to get excited. Garang Kuol is one of the most exciting players to ever come out of Australia…and he’s already agreed to a deal to join the Premier League side on January 1, 2023.
The versatile forward only signed his first professional deal with the A-League’s Central Coast Mariners in June, but his hype is growing and he’s now the youngest player ever selected for an Australia World Cup squad.
Kuol’s directness is likely to catch attention. The 18-year-old is fearless on the ball and constantly tries to make things happen. He is dynamic, possesses an eye for goal and won’t be afraid to show the kind of spark that made Newcastle swoop in for a measly £300,000 before the world had a good look at him.
Australia have extremely tough group games against France, Denmark and Tunisia, but Kuol’s value will skyrocket if he does anything at all.
Another talent is simmering at Red Bull Salzburg, the club that has nurtured players such as Erling Haaland, Sadio Mané and Dayot Upamecano in recent years. And that’s just to name a few.
Luka Sučić is an exciting creative midfielder who should get opportunities to shine in Croatia’s group games against Belgium, Canada and Morocco. The 20-year-old is quality in possession and offers smart movement off the ball, perfect for breaking between the lines in tight games.
Last season he racked up eight goals and four assists in 1,824 minutes of playing time in the Austrian Bundesliga, amounting to a goal contribution every 152 minutes on the pitch. He has the perfect international colleagues to learn from in the shape of Luka Modrić, Marcelo Brozović and Mateo Kovačić, three players who will do a lot of the gritty work to open up the pitch for Sučić to show his qualities.
