The 2022 World Cup is set to begin on November 20th in Qatar. There is a lot of uncertainty about who will lift the trophy.
Apart from legendary players Messi and Ronaldo, other notable players would wish to win the title for their country. Neymar Jr., Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Leroy Sane, Ousmane Dembele, Ngolo Kante, Gabriel Jesus, etc., will battle familiar foes as they contend for the trophy.
The youngsters’ category is a group of talented and young players who are eager to make history at the world cup. Many of them have had excellent performances in their club games and hope to replicate them in Qatar.
Sadly, some big names won’t be at the World Cup. Erling Haaland, who has been a nightmare for clubs in the Premier League, Luiz Diaz, Mohammed Salah, Victor Osimhen of Nigeria, David Alaba, Donarumma, Marco Veratti of Italy, Alexander Isak of Sweden, etc. These players will not be at the World Cup because their teams failed to scale through the qualifying stages.
Betting at the World Cup has its uncertainties because of the drive and hunger certain players have more than others. Most of the time in football, whoever wants it most, gets it. The betting odds seem to favor teams with competent players.
Here are the players you need to look out for that will most likely be the best to bet on:
They aren’t listed in any particular order.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal has thrived under the good leadership of Ronaldo. Just like in the Euros, he motivated his team to victory. The 37-year-old has played in every world cup since 2006 and hopes to compete in the World Cup. He is still a threat that cannot be put aside.
He has seven goals to his name in the World Cup and is a growing influence on the squad. He has kept criticism silent with his brace against Switzerland in June. He has won almost all the trophies except the World Cup.
Kylian Mbappe
The French national team is one of the most intimidating because of the number of stars in its squad. One among many is Kylian Mbappe, who has scored 11 goals in 9 games this season at PSG. He is a goal poacher and can be difficult to contain by any defense.
In the previous World Cup, he scored six goals in 12 games. France is the favorite, having won the World Cup in 2018. His teaming up with Benzema, who is in fine form, will make France’s attack more deadly.
Lionel Messi
Argentina had a fine campaign in 2021, lifting the Copa America in style, and ever since, there have been a lot of suppositions about Messi nursing a desire to win the international trophy in Qatar for his country.
Lionel Messi initially struggled in PSG but has soon risen above the debate having 15 goal contributions in 12 games, providing seven goals and eight assists with two free kicks in the space of one week for club and country. He scored six goals in the previous World Cup and hopes to add to his total as his team’s talisman. He is 35 years old and will want to lift the only trophy he doesn’t have in his archive.
Neymar Jr
Neymar has made a significant improvement over the last couple of games for club and country. After receiving a lot of criticism in the past for his form, the Brazilian superstar has silenced the critics with a strong start for his club side, PSG. He has made 19 goal contributions in all club competitions this season.
With rising and fast-growing players like Richarlison and Vinicius Jr., the Brazil team seems to be in fine form to compete in the World Cup. Brazil has won its last four games against Ghana, the Korean Republic, Tunisia, and Japan.
Harry Kane
England’s Harry Kane is a promising striker with 51 goals in 75 matches, just two goals behind Wayne Rooney. He has helped his team in major competitive games and tournaments. For instance, he led his team to the Euro final but is yet to lift a trophy for England.
With Southgate’s revamp of the team, England will stand as a force against other teams in this World Cup. Harry Kane has had a fine conversion rate from spot kicks with 15 successful penalties, reducing the pressure on his teammates.
Robert Lewandowski
The 34-year-old Polish striker has been remarkable this season since moving to Barcelona. He has proven himself a goal machine, netting eleven (11) times in eight (8) games. He is a two-time FIFA men’s best player.
He has 76 goals for Poland and will drive more into the net in the World Cup. He remains a threat to every defense.
Pedri
Pedri had incredible form in Euros and has been in the media for mind-blowing play. In 2021, he won the Kopa Trophy for the best under-21 football player. He has since been compared to Andres Iniesta because of his playmaking abilities.
The 19-year-old will hope to increase his assists and goals in the World Cup. The Spanish team has lost just one out of their last six matches, with a late win against Portugal in the national league.
Many other players, including Vinicius Jr., Kevin Dé Bryne, Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Sadio Mane, Joao Cancelo, Achraf Hakimi, Son Heung-min, and Edouard Mendy, will be hoping to make history for their respective countries in Qatar. The international and betting communities have high expectations and can only hope their favorite will win the most coveted trophy of all time.
