Cody Gakpo, the Oranje revelation
At 23, PSV striker Heindoven achieved a remarkable World Cup-2022 with the Netherlands team (three goals scored), at the height of his start to the club season – 9 goals scored in 18 matches.
2 - Cody Gakpo is only the 2nd player to open the scoring 3 times in the same group stage (1st and 2nd included) of the World Cup after Alessandro Altobelli for Italy during the 1st group stage in 1986. Diamond💎 .
#NEDQAT pic.twitter.com/VzFLmW8ooZ
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) November 29, 2022
Comfortable in head and both feet, the slender, mobile and explosive player has been attracting the greed of Europe's biggest clubs for months.
His performances in Qatar have undoubtedly boosted his rating on the market: Cody Gakpo would be Manchester United's priority, according to the newspaper The Telegraph, while the Red Devils are preparing an offer of 50 million euros to transfer him this winter .
Mohammed Kudus, the star of the Black Stars
The attacking midfielder of Ajax Amsterdam stood out during the competition in Qatar despite the elimination of his selection – Ghana – from the group stage.
Author of a decisive pass against Portugal (3–2 defeat), at the origin of a penalty finally missed by André Ayew against Uruguay (2–0 defeat), author of a double against Korea South (victory 2-3)... Mohammed Kudus was in all the good moves of his selection.
Mohamed Kudus signs the 1st double of the 🇬🇭 in the history of the World Cup, the 13th for Africa...
2 doubles from Roger Milla 🇨🇲,
2 from Ahmed Musa 🇳🇬,
1 for Khairi 🇲🇦, Bassir 🇲🇦, Bouba Diop 🇸🇳, Camara 🇸🇳, Fawzi 🇪🇬, Assad 🇩🇿, Bartlett 🇿🇦, Dindane 🇨🇮 #RFICDM #WorldcupQatar2022
— Christophe Jousset (@jousset_rfi) November 28, 2022
"After three years in selection, he is now one of the technical leaders thanks to his ability to accelerate and the precision of his left foot," writes L'Équipe about the 22-year-old Ghanaian nugget.
The talented midfielder was already arousing envy this summer, according to the sports daily: Everton offered 15 million euros, refused by Ajax.
The World Cup-2022 barely over, he said to himself that the Toffees would return to the charge and that other clubs would keep an eye on him.
The hatching of Julian Alvarez with Argentina
The Albiceleste nugget revealed himself with his selection by scoring four goals for Argentina.
Before the 2022 World Cup, he had only been selected four times to represent his country, but he seized his chance to replace Lautaro Martinez – in poor form during the competition.
At 22, the one who is nicknamed "the Spider" formed a "very complementary" duo with Lionel Messi, who could count on his mobility at any time to create danger.
See this post on Instagram
A post shared by Julián Alvarez🕷 (@juliaanalvarez)
This new Argentinian phenomenon had been spotted at the age of 11 by Real Madrid but the transfer was ultimately not made, reports L'Équipe.
Julian Alvarez therefore learned his skills in Argentina and won at River Plate (54 goals in 122 matches) before joining Manchester City last summer.
In 20 games across the Channel, he scored seven goals.
No doubt we will hear about him in the coming seasons.
Sofyan Amrabat, handyman from Morocco
He was the centerpiece of Morocco during this World Cup and probably the best defensive midfielder in the competition: at 26, Sofyan Amrabat is not a “young” footballer but he is proving himself at a very high level.
Kingpin of the Moroccan midfield, the Fiorentina midfielder was a formidable recuperator and raiser during the matches of the Atlas Lions.
Sofyan Amrabat is the first player to win possession 50 times at the 2022 World Cup.
Team of the Tournament place secured.
🔐#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/sWkVYn1yti
— Squawka (@Squawka) December 14, 2022
Unknown to the general public, Sofyan Amrabat was the strong man in coach Walid Regragui's system.
He played all seven matches of his selection.
His club future now seems to be written in dotted lines on the Fio side: several major European clubs would be ready to recruit him this winter.
Enzo Fernandez, the Argentinian who was voted best young person of the World Cup-2022
At 21, the Benfica midfielder has been officially named the best young player in the competition by Fifa.
Enzo Fernandez had however started this World Cup as a substitute.
But his performances in the Albiceleste midfield quickly relegated Leandro Paredes to the bench.
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A post shared by Enzo Fernández ⚽️ (@enzojfernandez)
His touch on the ball and his vision of the game were invaluable in leading Argentina to the final victory (against France, 3–3, on pens 4–2), and the new dimension he has taken should be invaluable for his club – who were well advised to transfer him from River Plate last summer.
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