FIFA World Cup 2022 is just around the corner. Held once every four years, it is considered to be the biggest event in the football world. The advantage of being held every four years is that in most cases new players get a chance to succeed on the big stage.
Many young players have made a name for themselves through their World Cup performances. The likes of Kylian Mbappe and Thomas Muller made early impressions with his one-time event in four years.
On the other hand, players who played an active part in the World Cup sometimes disappear after the tournament. You can't keep delivering under pressure.
As usual, several stars made their mark after their heroic performances at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Some of them returned to Qatar this year for further glory, while some were absent from the action.
Without further ado, here are his five stars of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. There is no chance of success at the 2022 Qatar Games.
#5. Aleksandr Golovin
Aleksandr Golovin, a Russian midfielder, was a noteworthy performer. He was the center of the Russian team's midfield when they competed on their home turf, and he was only 22 at the time.
Golovin was on hand to provide as he assisted Russia in their 5-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in the opening game. In that game, he contributed two assists and one goal. He didn't score again, but he still had a significant impact on the home team the rest of the way.
After a strong performance, Chelsea showed interest in him, but no deal was ever reached. His development has been delayed by bad injuries, but he eventually joined AS Monaco. He is not a part of the Qatar World Cup because political reasons prevent Russia from participating.
#4. Philippe Coutinho
Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho was already a favorite in 2018. He just moved to Barcelona a few months ago and has brought his good form to tournaments.
Coutinho delivered a surprise when he entertained the South American team at the World Cup. Curling's free-kick against Switzerland was unforgettable. He also scored against Costa Rica along with two assists throughout the tournament. As of 2018, he was said to be a key player for years to come. However, his fall at Barcelona almost ended his international career. He currently represents Aston Villa and is not part of the Brazilian side playing for Qatar.
#3. Denis Cheryshev
Denis Cheryshev, a Russian winger, shocked everyone at the 2018 World Cup. With his shooting prowess, he astounded many admirers with his thunderbolt left footed.
Prior to the World Cup, he was a member of the Russian squad, and in the first game, he replaced the injured Alan Dzagoev in the first half. He scored twice to aid the home team's 5-0 victory. In the quarterfinals, he added his fourth goal against Croatia after scoring once more against Egypt.
The winger currently plays for Venice in the Italian second division. He will also miss the 2022 World Cup.
#2. Samuel Umtiti
French defender Samuel Umtiti was billed as the top defender in 2018. He lived up to expectations when he helped France win the World Cup. Back in Barcelona, things started to decline after this season.
Umtiti was impressive for France, knockout He scored a key goal in the game (against Belgium in the semi-final), but after the competition, Umtiti was never the same player.
Umtiti is now 29 and plays for Lecce, Italy. He has had intermittent injuries over the last few seasons and is no longer in the France squad.
#1 Mario Mandzukic
Mario Mandzukic of Croatia is a glaringly underappreciated striker. Mandzukic knows how to handle pressure after playing for prestigious teams like Bayern Munich and Juventus, and he performed admirably for Croatia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
He played a key role in the national team's victory over powerful opponents like England and advancement to the championship game. In the knockout rounds, he scored three goals and provided one assist, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure. Before quitting at the age of 36, he also played for other European powerhouses like AC Milan and Atletico Madrid.
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