BolaNews looks at five stars going to Qatar for probably the last time for the World Cup, two have come close to winning it the others are yet to come as much closer as anticipated following their impressive club records.
Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric was on the losing end last time in Russia while Lionel Messi also came close to clinching the coveted trophy and would have been engraved in the same history books as legendary Diego Maradona. Argentina lost to Germany in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez, and Karim Benzema will be aiming high as they represent Portugal, Uruguay, and France respectively.
Luiz Suarez – Uruguay
Luiz Suarez is going to the World Cup with the Uruguay National team for the fourth team and for the first time he is not based in Europe as was the case in his previous appearances in South Africa – in 2010, Brazil in 2014, and Russia in 2018.
Now, 35 years old, Suarez famous for his passing, finishing, and comfort on the ball was on the books of Nacional in the Uruguayan Primera Division and helped them clinch the league title before leaving the club.
Suarez made his senior debut in 2007 and has been instrumental for the national team since the 2010 World Cup when he played 543 minutes for the team and scored 3 goals on his first World Cup appearance helping Uruguay to fourth finish in South Africa.
At the Brazil World Cup Suarez was banned for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini and was banned for nine international matches shortly after Uruguay progressed past the group stages. To date, it still remains the longest ban in football history.
In his third appearance at the World Cup in Russia, the team was eliminated in the Quarterfinal stage by eventual winners France, who ran away with a 2-0 win. He ended the tournament with two goals and an assist.
Ranked 14th in the FIFA rankings, Uruguay will count on the services of Luis Suarez and other exciting newcomers like Darwin Nunez, Rodrigo Bentacur, and Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde to push their luck at winning the World Cup under new coach Diego Alonso. Alonso took over the reign from long-serving Oscar Tabarez.
Luka Modric – Croatia
The Real Madrid midfielder came close to winning the World Cup title at the last edition in Russia following an impressive and captivating run in the competition.
37-year-old Luka Modric has defied age with some incredible stats backed by a title that has helped Real Madrid win since he switched from Tottenham Hotspurs in the Premier League. He is also like ‘Superman’ with his ability to play in the defensive role or as an attacking midfielder.
He has been a member of the Croatian squad since 2006, making two appearances as a substitute at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany against Japan and Australia. It was during the coaching reign of Slaven Bilic that he earned a more recognized presence in the national team setup.
The team missed out on the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa but returned to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil where they faced hosts Brazil, Cameroon, and Mexico. Modric who sustained a minor injury in the opener failed to help the team progress to the next round, bowing out in the group stage.
In 2018 as team captain of the national team and the Croatian side was placed in Group D alongside Argentina, Iceland, and Nigeria at the World Cup. As the peripheral figure of the team, Modric scored two goals in the group stages of the 2018 World Cup and was by far the best player in the Group stages round!
With the most runs in kilometers at the World Cup in Russia, third most created chances, most dribbles per match, and most completed passes in the opponent’s half in the Croatian team, Modric was in the final against France. They eventually lost 4-2 to France in the final.
Winner of the Golden Ball award at the 2018 World Cup, Modric is back for what would be his last attempt at winning the coveted FIFA World Cup trophy.
Still, under the tutelage of Zlatko Dalic and backed by experienced players in the 26-man squad such as Dejav Lovren, Mateo Kovacic, and Ivan Perisic, Modric and co will be hoping to go one further than just being runners-up.
Croatia is in Group F and will face Belgium, Morocco, and Canada.
Karim Benzema – France
Straight from winning the Men’s Player of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards, Karim Benzema will be making his second World Cup appearance for Les Bleus.
Benzema was left out of the France squad for the 2010 World Cup due to what then-head coach Raymond Domenech described as a “struggle for form” since he had switched from Lyon to Real Madrid.
Benzema made his World Cup debut in Brazil as exited the tournament with 3 goals in the quarterfinal stage as France lost to eventual winners Germany.
He missed out on France’s FIFA World Cup’s successful expedition in Russia where they reclaimed the title with former World Cup winner Didier Deschamps at the helm of the team. Benzema returned to the France squad as year on 18 May for the UEFA Euro 2020.
Now an integral member of the squad, Benzema will be expected to carry the form he has exhibited at Real Madrid in both La Liga and UEFA Champions League to Les Bleus which has a blend of experience and youth. Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezman including Benzema will give Deschamps a tough time picking the partnership, though the tactician has proven to be in love with the 4-3-3 formation. With such a formation, all the mentioned players will have enough room to express themselves.
Lionel Messi – Argentina
Argentina has emerged as favorite to go all the way and win the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Russia. At the center of the hope from soccer fans across the globe has been one of the greatest footballers in history Lionel Messi.
Making a fifth appearance at the global showpiece, Messi will be carrying the hopes of many fans back and for the first time, he is going to the World Cup not as a Barcelona player after switching from the Spanish giants to French giants Paris Saint Germaine (PSG) in 2021.
This could be Messi’s final bow and he will aim to grab gold in the finals of the World Cup after being on the losing end in 2014 to Germany in the final in Brazil.
There was however a sense of fear that the Argentine talisman may be carrying an injury after he sat out the beginning of the team’s opening training on Friday. Argentine media outlet Ole’ reported that the star player started his session in the gym away from the main group with injury concerns arising from a friendly match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Numbers don’t lie; Messi is coming to the World Cup with good stats, 7 goals in the Ligue 1, and 10 assists from 13 League matches in the French topflight. The 35-year-old returns to the big stage for the 5th time with a tally of 6 goals combined in his previous appearances.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo is probably enduring one of the toughest times of his career following his return to Old Trafford. The Manchester United talisman has been restricted to the bench this campaign and turned out frustrated at the state of affairs at Old Trafford.
Away from the club drama, the 37-year-old will be in Qatar for his 5 attempts at guiding Portugal to their first-ever World Cup title. He is the only Portugal player to have scored in four World Cup tournaments and also holds the record of being the oldest player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup match as Portugal draw 3-3 against Spain in Russia. He exited with four goals the World reaching only the Round of 16.
Ronaldo’s World Cup goals are currently standing at 8 goals but he has not been too close to close the much sort after-trophy in the World – at least for now.
Surrounded by Portugal’s finest talent, Ronaldo will be hoping to influence the team to an inspiring run in Russia.
