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The massive global reach of the game today means it’s possible for a player to reach global stardom after an impressive World Cup tournament. Although these players weren’t complete unknowns before Russia 2018, their performances in the competition have or will have elevated their careers to a higher level with the possibility of lucrative deals coming their way.
The World Cup final is almost upon us with France and Croatia battling it out for the most prestigious trophy in world football, as the competition comes to its conclusion. The 2018 Russia World Cup has been a treat to watch thus far and a number of top players of all ages have broken out and etched their names in World Cup history.
Unsung heroes are vital to teams' successes and a bunch of players have stepped into the role, while these players could fit into the category, they have received a lot of recognition for their work.
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Records have been shattered, tears have been shed and a number of fans from around the world have flooded stadiums to make the Russian tournament one of the best in the history of the world cup. Here we take a look the breakout stars XI from the 2018 World Cup.
GK: Francis Uzoho
The fourth youngest player at the World Cup was Nigeria's goalkeeper Francis Uzoho. The young goalkeeper plies his trade for Spanish La Liga side Deportivo de La Coruna and performed well for the Super Eagles despite their elimination from the group stages.
Uzoho made his debut for Nigeria's senior team against Argentina only in November 2017 and had made three appearances since including the warm-up game before the World Cup which the Super Eagles lost 2-1 to England at Wembley. A tall goalkeeper with good agility and reactions, Uzoho could be a man clubs will be keenly watching and tracking the player's displays.
The Nigerian fans were confident with the manager starting the youngster ahead of their other two experienced goalkeepers in the squad at the World Cup and was widely applauded for his displays in Russia. With the faith and backing of the fans and manager, the young goalkeeper will only grow from his first tournament experience in confidence and ability.
RB: Kieran Trippier
England right full-back, Kieran Trippier has been brilliant for Gareth Southgate down the right flank. Both defensively and offensively, the player has proved to be a real threat notching up a number of assists and a sublime free kick goal to his name in England's semi-final defeat to Croatia.
With great delivery and service from the player to the attacking players in the team, while acting as a solid cover for the back three, the hard-working right full-back has been exceptional in Russia.
With Walker acting as the right centre-half in the back three in the national set-up, the player has gelled with Trippier playing in his preferred position and formed a good dynamic, aggressive duo for the country on the right. He was crucial for England when they came up against a physically challenging Swedish team but they got through the test, setting up a clash with Croatia.
Trippier sent England on their way with a gem of a free kick in the opening few minutes, however, despite a resilient shift, England was ousted 2-1, bringing an end to their world cup campaign. Gareth Southgate's side lost to Belgium in the third-place play-off but all-in-all for England, the young players entertained fans throughout with their style of play.
RCB: Yerry Mina
Columbia's goal-scoring sensation and defensive rock at the back, Yerry Mina was the country's standout performer at the World Cup. Scoring three important goals as a defender for the team, Mina guided the Columbians to the round of 16 where they narrowly lost out on penalties.
A master in the air from set pieces, as he showed in Russia, combined with his tackles and ability to defend cleanly while reading the game, makes a player to watch out for who will only continue to grow at Barcelona.
Mina along with Davidson Sanchez held the fort for Columbia at the back and played their part in helping the team survive. While Peckerman's team lacked creativity in the final third and the fact that Mina finished seventh highest goal scorer and Columbia's leader, the team lacked goals despite the threat of Falcao, Bacca and Muriel.
LCB: Ilya Kupetov
Russia has been a revelation at the World Cup under Stanislav Cherchesov and faced Croatia in the quarter-final only to go out on penalties. With a sound defensive plan, great counter-attacking threat and tactical game management, the hosts have entertained and drawn fans at the tournament.
Ilya Kupetov has been a rock at the back for Russia despite being just 24-years-old and notching just 11 caps for his country. Kuipetov has been resolute in the air and reads the game exceptionally well forming a solid partnership with experienced defender Sergei Ignashevich for the country.
Kupetov is a big robust defender with good technical ability and is a surprisingly strong player who has nullified opposition strikers. An important part of the Russian defence, Kupetov will have cemented his place in the Russian national setup if he continues to put in good performances for club and country when called upon.
LB: Lucas Hernandez
French left full-back, Lucas Hernandez has been pivotal for France during their campaign to World Cup glory. The player has exceeded expectations by filling in for Mendy who suffered a troubled season with an injury. However, now fit, Mendy was kept out of the starting eleven by Hernandez who like Pavard has been absolutely stunning.
The 22-year-old Atletico Madrid player has been brilliant going forward and solid defensively. After the first game against Australia, Hernandez did pick up a lot of flack for admitting to drawing fouls and excessive acting, however, nothing phased the player as he continued his excellent form in Russia.
A World Cup winner at 22, Hernandez is well on his way to becoming one of the finest defensive players in the world.
CM: Aleksandr Golovin
Aleksandr Golovin could be familiar with Arsenal fans, as the CSKA Moscow midfielder scored an absolute screamer against the Gunners in the Europa League earlier this year. But now the rest of the world is fully aware of the Russian’s talents after his scintillating displays for the host nation at the World Cup.
The 22-year-old netted a similarly spectacular free-kick, and provided two assists, in the World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia before going on to run the show in the host’s 3-1 victory over Egypt. The player was vital to the team in their next games against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay as well as the hosts progressed from the group.
Golovin the industrious, creative force then proved to be Russia’s key man in their surprise second-round win over Spain, also coolly netting a penalty in an unbearably tense penalty shootout.
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is expected to sign the player for the club and could be a big addition to the squad.
CM: Juan Quintero
Juan Quintero had a point to prove in Russia as he carried the mantle for Colombia coming into the tournament. The midfielder was inevitably overshadowed at Brazil 2014 by teammate James Rodriguez and has spent the subsequent four years bouncing around from club to club on loan from Porto trying to prove his worth.
Yet the diminutive playmaker has squashed all possible doubts and has made European clubs sit up and take notice with his brilliant group-stage displays.
The 25-year-old played a part in three of his nation’s five goals, setting up Radamel Falcao and Yerry Mina against Poland and Senegal respectively, while he scored the tournament’s cheekiest free-kick in Colombia’s shock 2-1 defeat to Japan. Quintero has finally etched his mark on the world stage and proven his footballing worth despite the country's penalty defeat to England in the round of 16.
LM: Ante Rebic
Ante Rebic will definitely have enjoyed his second World Cup experience far more than his first four years earlier in Brazil. The pacy winger was only deployed as a late substitute in Croatia’s disappointing showing in Brazil, but still found the time to get sent off and was subsequently banished from the international team.
However, the 24-year-old hasn’t looked back since being recalled by new boss Zlatko Dalic's appointment and his good showings at club level. Rebic has been excellent for Croatia this tournament, down either wing displaying great work rate, passion and smooth footballing decisions.
Capitalising on Willy Caballero’s jaw-dropping howler, his acrobatic volley against Argentina helped set Croatia on their way to a commanding 3-0 victory. He would also have settled the second-round tie against Denmark before penalties had he not brought been down while clear on goal, four minutes from time. Rebic was also instrumental against England providing an assist in their 2-1 win and will be crucial to the nation's success against France in the final as he has fit into the main XI very well.
RM: Victor Claesson
Sweden has proved that strong teamwork can be more valuable than any individual egotistical superstar. The small country has progressed further than they have in any World Cup, since a third-place finish in 1994. There have still been several impressive individual performers, including the previously unremarkable Viktor Claesson.
Claesson has proved to be a worthy attacking force for Sweden and a real threat for opposition off the left flank. A versatile player with a vicious left boot, he loves to dart in and cause problems to opposition defences.
Having enjoyed a glorious first season with Russian Premier League side Krasnodar, the 26-year-old winger has thrived on familiar stadiums – earning a penalty against South Korea, setting up two goals and rivalling Emil Forsberg as Sweden’s most creative force. Claesson has been a revelation for the country and a dynamic force with a skill set and nerve for special, big occasions.
LF: Takashi Inui
Real Betis appear to have bagged this summer’s best bargain, having signed Takashi Inui on a free transfer just weeks before his sensational showing in Russia. By far the oldest outfield player on this team of breakout stars, the 30-year-old proved that it’s never too late to make a major impression at a World Cup, with two outstanding group game performances and a sensational display against Belgium.
Indeed, the winger shell-shocked the latter with his dazzling close control, exquisite passing technique and a powerful 25-yard drive which briefly had Japan with one foot in the quarter-finals. But it was not enough to drag Japan through to the next round, however, Inui excelled at the tournament and will enjoy his upcoming spell in the La Liga.
All this from a player who had barely made a ripple outside the mid-table of the Bundesliga and La Liga in the years gone by proving its never too late. Although Inui at the World Cup has proven to the world his abilities on the field and will be hard to stop in Spain.
LF: Hirving Lozano
Hirving Lozano's goal celebration in Mexico caused an artificial earthquake in the country when he scored the only goal in the nation's historic win over defending world champions Germany in their opener.
According to the Instituto de Investigaciones Geologicas and Atmosfericas, seismic monitoring network, a spike in activity was recorded when Lozano tucked the ball past Neuer's near post. While the organisation posted on their social handle that is was caused artificially possibly due to stomps.
Mexico recorded a historic win over the World Champions and progressed from their group only to face Brazil in the round of 16, where they went out 2-0. However, the young attacking player Lozano impressed with his displays that have caught the attention of a number of European clubs.
