The 11 players who came to Qatar little known and became World Cup figures

The Qatar World Cup made some players shine who were little known to most fans

The world decanted to Argentina champion over France. During the most important national team tournament, there were many stories of players who stepped on Qatar without much prior prominence, but they became great figures.

For this reason, ESPN put together a team with 11 players who, thanks to their performances, went from being unknown to protagonists of Qatar 2022.

The 11 selected were: Bonus (Morocco); Juranovic (Croatia), Gvardiol (Croatia), Aguerd (Morocco) and Estupiñan (Ecuador); Amrabat (Morocco), Enzo Fernández (Argentina) and Gakpo (Netherlands); Boufal (Morocco), Ritsu Doan (Japan) and Gonçalo Ramos (Portugal).

Morocco was the big surprise world upon reaching the semifinals. Possessing a solid defensive system, goalkeeper Bounou was noted for making great saves that ensured the African country made history in Qatar. One of his best games was against Spain, when the goalkeeper saved two penalties and secured a place in the quarterfinals. Currently in the Sevillethe 31-year-old could be one of the most sought after in the next transfer window.

The winger was one of the best players of Croatia at the tournament. In the starting eleven in all matches, juranovicwho currently defends the Celtic, signed a great match against the Brazilian team, both in defense, enduring the onslaught of La Canarinha’s attack, and in attack, showing a lot of speed. According to ‘The Scottish Sun’, people from Atletico Madrid they were in Qatar to observe him.

Croatia will be chasing third place in the Cup and have added another name to the defense throughout the campaign. The masked’ Gvardiol He was another of those who shone for the European team in Qatar. Barely 20 years old, the defense of the RB Leipzig He showed maturity, speed and strength, delighting the fans and being targeted as a possible replacement for Thiago Silva in it Chelsea.

Beside Gvardiol In this selection, Aguerd also appears as one of the best and most surprising defenders in the world. At 26, the West Ham defender is one of the great protagonists of the defense of the team Walid Regragui and fundamental piece of Morocco who reached the semifinals.

Closing the defense is estupinanfrom Ecuador. If El Tri fell in the group stage, and Enner Valencia He was the big name, the left side appeared as a good highlight.

The number 7 showed skill and speed in attack, focusing the Ecuadorian game on his side. Currently in the Brightonit would not be a surprise if one considered estupinan for one of the best teams in the Premier League.

Amrabat was the union between the strong defense and the skilful attack of Morocco. The midfielder of the Fiorentina He was a fundamental piece in the Moroccan system and helped in the victories against Belgium, Croatia, Spain and Portugal. Born in the Netherlands, Amrabat could have chosen to play in ‘A Clockwork Orange’, however, he decided to represent Morocco, made history in the Cup and is now wanted by the Liverpool.

Title of Argentina from the second game of the Cup, Enzo Fernandez became essential to the team lionel scaloni. Accurate in his passes, the midfielder of the Benfica He has already scored a goal and provided an assist in the tournament. At 21 years old, the offspring of Gallant in River Plate draws the attention of Real Madrid and Liverpoolthe latter would have an agreement with the Eagles to take the midfielder to Anfield after the World Cup.

Perhaps one of the best-known players on the list, the jewel of the PSV he was already drawing the attention of the European giants even before the Cup. However, with three goals in five games, the 23-year-old striker showed why he is coveted by United, City, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool. The Cup was a turning point for the player, now well known to the general public after his performance in the Cup.

if on one side Morocco has the skilled and well-known ziyechof Chelsea, the other side leaves nothing to be desired. Boufal showed personality, speed and great skill in Qatar and it became a nightmare for the rival defenses. Boufal she also drew a lot of attention for celebrating victories alongside her mother. The scene was one of the most emotional of the world.

Even being eliminated on penalties for Croatia In the round of 16, Japan surprised the Cup by beating powerhouses like Germany Y Spain in the group stage. and players like Doan shone on Qatar. Substitute before Germany Y Spainthe striker of Freiburg He came off the bench and turned the game around against both rivals, scoring in both and helping the Japanese make history.

Cristiano Ronaldo had all the lights on Portugal. However, an unexpected change of technician Fernando Santos in the round of 16 against Swiss He put the spark in a striker who will be part of the Portuguese renewal. Goncalo Ramos21-year-old striker for Benficashowed a goal-scoring eye and scored three goals in a match in the knockout phase of the world Cup. Surely, the striker will not forget this Qatar World Cup and it will be a name that will be in the next World Cups defending the Portuguese team.

Other names that shined

Other lesser known names also shone in Qatar and they showed themselves to the world. Livakovicgoalkeeper of Croatia, It is one of them. Who does not remember the three penalties saved against Japan, in the round of 16, and their brilliant performance against Brazil in the quarterfinals?

Morocco has a great history world Cup and the midfielder ounahiwhich captivated Luis Enriqueformer selector of Spainand would be in the crosshairs of the Barcelona.

Mac Allistermidfielder of Brightonlike Enzo Fernandezhe gained ownership during the Cup and became a key player in the Argentine midfield and is now in the orbit of Atlético de Madrid, Tottenham, Juventus and Inter Milan.

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The 11 players who came to Qatar little known and became World Cup figures