World Cup 2018: Top 5 breakout stars of the World Cup  

#3 Takashi Inui

Inui celebrates his goal against Belgium

Real Betis appear to have bagged this summer’s best bargain, having signed Takashi Inui on a free transfer just weeks before his star-making showing in Russia. By far the oldest outfield player on this list, 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 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. Although Inui at the World Cup has proven to the world his abilities on the field and will be hard to stop in Spain.