The 2022 World Cup is also a stage for numerous shooting stars. Cody Gakpo, Jamal Musiala, Gavi and Co. proved in Qatar that they could dominate world football for years to come.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, numerous players who are 23 years old or younger are trumping. Who are the shooting stars of the previous tournament?
Cody Gakpo – the “new van Persie”
With left, right and head – Gakpo has scored as he wants in Qatar so far. And each time the PSV Eindhoven striker gave the Netherlands the lead. So far, the 23-year-old has proven in every game that he is worth his weight in gold for Oranje.
“Cody has everything it takes to become a star,” says coach Louis van Gaal, who uses him more centrally – and not on the wing like at the club: “Now he thinks I’m a great coach.” Gakpo plays fast and purposeful, has a strong finish and is known to be very hardworking. In the Netherlands he is already being compared to the legend Robin van Persie.
It is certain that Gakpo will not stay in Eindhoven much longer. In addition to his compatriot Erik ten Hag, team manager of Manchester United, Bayern Munich, among others, are said to have kept an eye on the shooting star.
Jamal Musiala – the German dribbling miracle
The saying “Müller always plays” should actually be translated into: “Musiala always plays” for the German national team. Despite his young age, Bayern Munich’s magic foot has long played a key role on the offensive with Hansi Flick. The 19-year-old teenager is the man with that certain something – unpredictable when it comes to dribbling, he can shoot left and right and has an eye for his colleagues.
In the game forward, nothing in the DFB team works without Musiala, who played 36 tackles on the first two match days of this World Cup – at least ten more than any other German.
Aurelién Tchouameni – France’s stabilizer
No Kanté, no Pogba? No problem! France still has Aurelién Tchouameni. Robust, technically strong and with an overview – even when things get chaotic, Tchouameni organizes the game of the “Bleus”. The six, who switched from Monaco to Real Madrid in the summer, hardly ever makes a bad pass and often gets by without fouls.
“I’m supposed to keep the team balanced“, says the 22-year-old. He fulfills the task that national coach Didier Deschamps gave him: “It’s about us winning and everyone fulfilling their role.” And so with the defending champion hardly anyone talks about Kanté and Pogba.
Gavi – the Spanish “prodigy”
Pablo Martin Paez Gavira, stage name Gavi, “is still a boy“, says his coach Luis Enrique about the only 18-year-old from FC Barcelona. “But he’s already playing with the experience of an old man. That’s really extraordinary.” Spain’s youngest national player in history, together with the only 20-year-old Pedri, also from FC Barcelona, has long been the central figure in “Furia Roja”.
The midfield strategist Gavi seems to have the ball glued to his foot, like Xavi and Andres Iniesta he is a noble technician – but the teenager can also become a terrier. He and Pedri”belong to a spectacular generation that we must enjoy“, says Xavi recently about the duo. In October, Gavi was awarded FIFA’s “Golden Boy Award” for the best U21 player. He won ahead of Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund) and Musiala. Gavi follows Pedri, who won the trophy in 2021.
Phil Foden – England’s darling
Your favorite player only on the bench? At the start of the World Cup, fans shook their heads at national team coach Gareth Southgate. When the starting line-up before the last group game against Wales (3-0) was read out, the biggest cheers erupted when Phil Foden was named. And the 22-year-old Manchester City star jumped at the chance, showing just how valuable he can be for the Three Lions.
The attacking midfielder provided decisive impetus, got the free kick to make it 1-0 and also scored himself. The Daily Mail saw a “fabulous foden“. And Southgate says: “He will still play a big role for us in this tournament.”
Vinicius Junior – the Brazilian pacesetter
No one knows exactly how long Neymar will be out – so more and more eyes are turning to Vinicius Junior as the top favorite for the title. Like Rodrygo (21), the lively winger brings endless speed and can overpower defenses on his own.
After two games, the 22-year-old has two assists, but the Real Madrid attacker, who calls himself “Vini” for marketing reasons, sometimes still lacks the killer instinct in front of goal.
Youssoufa Moukoko – The DFB chick
Youssofa Moukoko is just 18 years old – and yet he made it into the World Cup squad. The Borussia Dortmund striker made history with it – because he is the youngest German player to be nominated for a World Cup.
Not the first record for Moukoko. The attacker was (almost) everywhere the youngest. As a player and goalscorer in the U16 (at the age of 12!), in the A-Junior Bundesliga (at the age of 14), the UEFA Youth League (14), the Bundesliga (16) and the U21 (16). Despite his young age, he is characterized by physicality and a goal-oriented approach.
Jude Bellingham – England’s boss
Jude Bellingham is the only legionnaire in the England team in Qatar. The Dortmunder is already the most valuable player in the World Cup. His market value is in the three-digit million range, next summer the top international clubs are likely to compete for the youngster.
At the World Cup, Bellingham is just as impressive as it was at BVB last season. In the opening game of the “Three Lions” against Iran (6:2), the eighth scored his first international goal. In the English midfield, despite his young age, he quite naturally gives the commands.