Every four years, the excitement grows around the world as we get close to another World Cup, which begins June 14. Despite the USA men’s team not qualifying for the competition, there are still plenty of reasons to watch and enjoy “the beautiful game” this summer.
You may be wondering: “Who should I watch? Who should I root for? Who are the most exciting players?” Well, I am here to try to guide you through your World Cup experience.
Players to Watch
Mohamed Salah, Egypt:
Ever since Mo Salah joined Liverpool in the English Premier league, he has been tearing up the competition. A year ago he was an unknown winger for Roma in Italy, but now he is leading the EPL, the biggest league in the world, in goals, and has won PFA Player of the Year. Salah is fun to watch because of his pure skill and ability to excite the crowd. With his short 5-foot-9 frame, he has the ability to control the ball like it is on a string and can score goals with ease. Make sure to tune into Egypt’s group games to see Salah slicing up defenses on the biggest stage.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal:
Ronaldo has conquered almost everything that a professional soccer player could, winning multiple Ballon d’Ors, Champions league trophies and even a European Championship in 2016. At the same time, however, Lionel Messi has been generally considered equal or better than Ronaldo, with plenty of trophies and awards to boast for himself. The one common denominator is that neither player has a World Cup medal, and the race between these two players to achieve this goal is pure entertainment. A World Cup win for Ronaldo could solidify him as the greatest to ever play the game.
Team to root for
Iceland was the European Championship’s Cinderella story. The smallest country ever in the European Championship (with a population of only 334.252), Iceland made it through the group stage and upset my team, England, in the round of 16. Everyone watching was rooting for the underdog Iceland, and they come into this year’s World Cup in that familiar underdog role. They are a team that has plenty of interesting players, and it is hard not to root for such a heartwarming story.
Contenders
Germany: The reigning World Cup champions are one of the most solid and well-coached teams in soccer. They are famous for the “German machine,” their uniform style of play, with little flair but lots of goals and great defense. If they play like they usually do, they are definitely the favorites to win. Some of their best players include goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, center backs Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng and young player of the year, Leroy Sane.
Belgium: Belgium is a team loaded with talent. Soccer fans could tell after the 2014 World Cup that with the amount of young, exciting talent Belgium brought, they would be contenders to win come 2018. Players like Kevin De Bruyne, known as one of the greatest playmakers and minds in soccer, and Eden Hazard, an explosive forward who has been a contender for player of the year multiple times, will need to perform.
Others: Spain, Argentina, France, Brazil
Prediction
Brazil:
After facing the most embarrassing loss in their team’s history at home in 2014, losing 7-1 to Germany, Brazil will be inspired coming into the World Cup. Star player Neymar has become a legitimate top-three player in the world with French club Paris Saint-Germain, displaying dazzling footwork, incredible speed and deadly goal scoring ability. Brazil will also have much improved attack with rising stars Gabriel Jesus, Roberto Firmino and crafty playmaker Philippe Coutinho, as well as a solid defense with Thiago Silva and Dani Alves. These players are much more experienced and poised than the players in the last tournament, and they should have the ability to get their team out of tough situations. The nation that is loaded full of world class talent has been on a World Cup drought since the days of the legendary Ronaldinho and Kaka. With their last win being in 2002, I think it is due time for Brazil to add a sixth World Cup trophy.
– By Sam Vanolinda
