With 3 billion people expected to watch this upcoming World Cup, there are few other sporting tournaments in the world that can command such a huge following. While the fans look forward to seeing the action unfold on the field of play, emerging stars are also looking forward to the upcoming World Cup to use it as a platform to propel themselves to greater heights while punter also look forward to the World Cup in a bid to improve their fortunes by placing their bets in the different world cup betting markets. The focus today, however, is not on the fans or on the punters but it is on the emerging players who are likely to introduce themselves to the world at this prestigious footballing extravaganza.
Marco Asensio (Real Madrid & Spain)
Breaking into the Real Madrid first team squad from the junior ranks is always a daunting task considering the quality of players that Real Madrid has at its disposal, not just the starting 11 but also those who often find themselves on the bench. However, when a young player manages to break into the first team squad from the junior ranks, it shows that he has something special and that is exactly what Marco Asensio did. In his time with Real Madrid thus far at a tender age of 21, Asensio has already featured in two UEFA Champions League; he made his mark in the last Champions League final when he scored against Juventus after coming on as a substitute. Before the start of the World Cup, Asensio is going to feature in his third UEFA Champions League final with Real Madrid when they take on Liverpool in Kiev. With the experience he has already amassed, Asensio looks like the real deal and one to watch at the World Cup.
Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City & Brazil)
The young Brazilian played his part in Manchester City’s impressive one-man procession to the English Premier League title in the just ended 2017/18. This, however, is despite the injury he suffered that kept him out of the team for a few months. Jesus’ romance with Brazil started sometime back and he has already established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet when fit for Brazil. If Brazil is to cling to its favourites’ tag and win the World Cup, Jesus’ goals will be crucial.
Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona & France)
During his time with Borussia Dortmund, Dembele was the most talked about teenager in world football due to his pace and trickery in addition to an eye for goal and a killer pass. His move to Spanish giants, Barcelona started on a sad note as he had to spend several months on the sidelines due to injury. The last few months of the 2017/18 season was the time that Dembele started to make an impression for the Spanish giants and if he carries his newly found form into the World Cup, then he does have a good chance of having his name on the Young Player of the Tournament accolade.