World Cup Rising Stars

• World Soccer
• May 25, 2018

We take a look at which young stars could be the difference makers at this years World Cup.

Take a look at our rising stars of the 2018 World Cup in Russia (Getty Images)

World Cup Rising Stars

The big players at this years tournament will take the headlines, but like every World Cup there will be young stars who will differentiate themselves too. Some on this list have shown they can play at club level, like Asensio, Sane and Jesus. However, can they reveal themselves to the world in footballs biggest tournament? Can they become global stars?

In this piece we have picked a whole host of young players who could be difference makers at the tournament.

Cristian Pavon (Boca Juniors – 22 years old) – Argentina

Considering the plethora of attacking talent Argentina has, Pavon will likely come off the bench, but his creativity could help break down teams if they are struggling to score. A right-footed winger who plays on the left for his club, Pavon could have an impact in Russia.

Cristian Pavon could be one to watch for Argentina (Getty Images)

Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City – 21 years old) – Brazil

Already a star for Manchester City, Jesus has helped solve Brazil’s centre forward problem. Truly a scary talent at such a young age, expect him to score and announce himself on the global stage.

Jesus has solved Brazil’s centre-forward problem (Getty Images)

Davinson Sanchez (Tottenham – 21 years old) – Colombia

Sanchez went straight into the Tottenham side since his move from Ajax. He is yet to show his best form for Colombia but at only 21, he has plenty of time to do so.

Sanchez is yet to show his best form for his country (Getty Images)

Ante Rebic (Fiorentina – 24 years old) – Croatia

Likely to come off the bench, Rebic could bring some pace, dynamism and desire to the Croatian side if stars like Ivan Peresic and Mario Mandzukic struggle.

Ante Rebic has been on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt (Getty Images)

Pione Sisto (Celta Vigo – 23 years old) – Denmark

A skillful and speedy winger, Sisto could be the man to finally give some support to Christian Eriksen.

Pione Sisto could offer support to Christian Eriksen (Getty Images)

Marcus Rashford (Manchester United – 20 years old) – England

He may have dropped down Manchester united’s pecking order, but Rashford will bring pace and no sense of fear to the English attack. It is not known whether he will start or come off the bench yet.

Ashford offers pace and creativity for England (Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint Germain – 19 years old) – France

This man needs know introduction. Already a star at club level, he is yet to show what he can do on the world stage.

Mbappe is a star but can he do it on the world stage? (Getty Images)

Leroy Sane (Manchester City – 22 years old), Timo Werner (RB Leipzig – 22 years old), Niklas Sule (Bayern Munich – 22 years old) – Germany

Like Jesus above, Sane showed how good he could be this year, but given Germany’s strength and depth, he will probably come off the bench to terrorise tired defenders late in the game.

Timo Werner is quick, mobile, and a strong World Cup could see him move from Leipzig to another bigger European club. Will probably be playing the Miroslav Klose role in this years tournament.

Niklas Sule is a man mountain and with the injury to Jerome Boating he may be playing a larger role in the tournament than first expected. A defensive star in the making.

Timo Werner could probably lead the line for Germany (Getty Images)

Sardar Azmoun (Rubin Kazan – 23 years old) – Iran

Azmoun has been playing in Russia for five years now and has shown his unquestionable talent at Rubin Kazan. He is an excellent header of the ball and has scored 23 goals in 31 appearances for his country.

Sardar Azmoun is Iran’s best player and will need to score goals in Russia (Getty Images)

Hirving Lozano (PSV – 22 years old) – Mexico

The new star of Mexican football, Lozano has been ripping the Eredivisie up with PSV. Expect some strong electric performances from him.

Lozano is the new star of Mexican football (Getty Images)

Andre Silva (AC Milan – 22 years old) – Portugal

Formed a lethal partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo during qualifying. He may have struggled with Milan this year but playing alongside Ronaldo is bound to help his confidence and form.

Andre silva could offer support to Cristiano Ronaldo (Getty Images)

Aleksei Miranchuk (Lokomotiv Moscow – 22 years old) – Russia

The younger of two brothers, the jewel of Russian football is Aleksei Miranchuk, a left footed attacking midfielder.

Miranchuk is the key man for Russia (Getty Images)

Fahad Al Muwallad (Levante – 23 years old) – Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s star attacking winger, Al Muwallad is incredibly important to the chances of the Green Falcons getting out of the group.

Exciting: Fahad Al Muwallad is exciting when he gets on the ball (Getty Images)

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio – 23 years old) – Serbia

Savic has been on the radar of many big clubs for a while now, and a good performance at the tournament could inflate his price dramatically. Expect him to link up well with Dusan Tadic in attack for Serbia.

Savic is going to give an attacking threat for Serbia (Getty Images)

Marco Asensio (Real Madrid – 22 years old) – Spain

Named after Marco Van Basten, Asensio is believed to be the future of Spanish football. On more than one occasion he has shown his class for Real Madrid and we expect him to do the same in Russia. Likely to be a difference maker off the bench.

Asensio will offer punch off the bench (Getty Images)

Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus – 20 years old) – Uruguay

Can use both feet and is more than capable of dictating the pace of matches. He has been in the Juventus lineup sporadically but is expected to start for Uruguay.