Our criteria for a breakout star may be a little stricter than yours. I’ve seen people suggest that Mohamed Salah or Raheem Sterling could be breakout stars, which I find pretty bizarre, since they’re both globally established superstars.
Even someone like Timo Werner, whose hardly a household name, is fifth favourite to win the Golden Boot, so he surely can’t feature.
Here are our 7 potential breakout stars for the 2018 World Cup
7. Pione Sisto – Denmark
Danish winger Pione Sisto is an exciting player who we think could make a lasting impression in Russia. A tricky and technical wide man who can operate equally capably on either flank, Sisto has a good burst of pace and the ability to score from dead ball situations. He has just had his second season playing for Celta Vigo in La Liga, and he had a combined total of 18 goals and assists in 39 outings last term. You’d expect France to dominate Group C, but anyone from Australia, Denmark and Peru could claim second, and Sisto may be the key for the Danes.
6. Hakim Ziyech – Morocco
Hakim Ziyech of Ajax in action during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord at Amsterdam ArenA on January 21, 2018 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
We think there’s a decent chance Hakim Ziyech will be on the move this summer whether he impresses at the World Cup or not – although it obviously can’t hurt. A really natural central or attacking midfielder with an eye for a pass, Ziyech has starred in the Eredivisie for five seasons now, with Heerenveen, Twente and Ajax. Morocco face an uphill task getting out of a group containing Spain, Portugal and Iran, but we think Ziyech could be a bright spark in the group stages, even if Morocco’s tournament ends there.
5. Aleksandar Mitrovic – Serbia
For a long time now, Serbia have had a decent XI on paper, but have failed to convert that into real effectiveness on the pitch. They have at least qualified for this summer’s World Cup, and if things can click for the Balkan nation then they might just be dark horses. They have real strength and experience in defence and a trio of Premier League stars in midfield, but up front is the position of interest to us. Aleksandar Mitrovic goes into the World Cup finals in fine form, having scored 12 goals from 18 starts as well as winning promotion during a half-season on-loan at Fulham. Mitrovic is known as a big, brave and strong centre-forward, but he also possesses a good first touch. We all know about his discipline problems, but this could be a coming-of-age moment for the 23-year-old, who can be a seriously tricky customer on his day.
4. Hirving Lozano – Mexico
Hirving Lozano of Mexico reacts during the International Friendly match between Mexico v Scotland at Estadio Azteca on June 2, 2018 in Mexico City, Mexico.
A firm favourite in Mexico and now in Eindhoven too, whilst the Dutch failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, PSV fans will at least have their star man Hirving Lozano to cheer on in Russia. Nicknamed Chucky, the 22-year-old has 22 goals and 8 assists to his name this season, and Mexico will be hoping he can carry that kind of form into the finals. A dangerous left winger who loves to cut inside onto his favoured right foot, Lozano will certainly start for Mexico, and he could cause problems for the likes of South Korea and Sweden in the group stages.
3. Alex Iwobi – Nigeria
One player who is already a familiar face to followers of the Premier League – yet we’re still excited to see in action – in Russia is Alex Iwobi. Born in Nigeria, but brought up in England, Iwobi chose to represent the nation of his birth. He made a big impression when he first broke into the first team at Arsenal, but has just looked like stagnating last season. The exception to that has been his international form, where the 22-year-old has looked a real live wire. Group D is really tough, and Nigeria will have to finish above Croatia to get through, but we wouldn’t bet against them.
2. Lucas Torreira – Uruguay
Lucas Torreira of Sampdoria celebrate after score 1-0 during the serie A match between UC Sampdoria and Torino FC at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 3, 2018 in Genoa, Italy.
When we talk about breakout stars at World Cups, we tend to talk about attacking players, but there is the potential for a less offensive-minded player to stand out. Lucas Torreira could be that man in our eyes. Capable of playing in defensive or central midfield, Torreira gives you all the doggedness and determination you’d expect of a Uruguayan international, but he’s also a really talented footballer and a very good passer of the ball. He has spent the last two seasons playing for Sampdoria in Serie A, where he’s often caught our eye, and along with fellow Serie A man Rodrigo Bentancur, we can see him forming the bedrock of a youthful Uruguayan midfield. We’re backing Uruguay to win their group and give a really good account of themselves in Russia.
1. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic – Serbia
The second Serbian in this seven, midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is currently being linked with a move to Manchester United. Whether there’s any truth to those rumours remains to be seen, but such a link should come as little surprise. Milinkovic-Savic played a starring role at Lazio last season, as the club came ever-so-close to qualifying for the Champions League. A powerful central midfielder and an absolute menace in the air, the man best known as Sergej bagged 14 goals and 6 assists from the middle of the park last season. He loves to get in the box whenever he can, and the much more defence-minded presence of Nemanja Matic should give him the opportunity to do that, so we’re backing him as a potential star.
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