Ones to Watch: The most exciting player from each country at the World Cup
GROUP D
Argentina – Lionel Messi
The Lionel Messi/Cristiano Ronaldo debate will roll on until they both retire, but many believe Messi has the edge.
Some also feel, which I think is a moot point, that Messi’s supreme credentials are further defined by whether Argentina win the World Cup or not.
On a personal level, of course Messi would love to add a World Cup to his ever-growing list of accolades.
And he certainly has the backing to support him, as La Albiceleste look to mend the heartbreak of 2014.
Paulo Dybala, Sergio Aguero, Angel di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain make up Argentina’s exalted attack, and of course Messi is the jewel in that sparkling crown.
Still at the very pinnacle of the sport after a decade, the unpredictable nature of the Barcelona man’s brilliance is what makes him so enjoyable to watch.
As I said for Cristiano Ronaldo, this could be Messi’s last World Cup. Signing off from international football with the best award a footballer can earn, is surely something the Argentine craves.
Iceland – Gylfi Sigurdsson
Back for more major tournament action just two years after their maiden appearance at Euro 2016, Iceland are slowly emerging as a nation to contend with.
Everton midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson is a huge part of that. Despite a disjointed season on Merseyside, plagued by an injury towards the end of the campaign, we have seen what Sigurdsson can produce on countless occasions.
With the fervent, Viking-like Icelandic fans behind him, Sigurdsson hopes to create rumbles in Russia.
Iceland are placed in the so-called ‘group of death’. Alongside Nigeria, Argentina and Croatia, the Nordic nation would do very well to progress.
Sigurdsson probably represents their best outlet of creativity. Sumptuous set pieces, an incisive edge and clinical finishing are some of the Icelander’s best traits, and hopefully we see them in the World Cup.
Croatia – Luka Modric
A fundamental part of Real Madrid’s Champions League success this term, Luka Modric hopes to fuel a peaking Croatia side in a pivotal World Cup for them.
Placed in the group of death, it is going to be an arduous group stage for the Croatians. However with talent like Modric in their side, who possesses a calmness and composure most sides crave, they can certainly be considered.
Modric has partnered with Toni Kroos for Los Blancos this term, and once again the maturity and passing accuracy in midfield was key to their prosperous campaign in Europe.
Perhaps not able to exhibit his best in Euro 2016, Modric will hope to be a luminary for Croatia here.
Nigeria – Alex Iwobi
Nigeria have plenty of Premier League talent in their squad. Kelechi Iheanacho, Ahmed Musa and John Obi Mikel have all spent time in England’s top flight, however Arsenal youngster Alex Iwobi pips the rest for the most exciting player.
Given his chance by Arsene Wenger, renowned for his trust and honest philosophies when it comes to youth, Iwobi has thrived in north London and makes his first World Cup appearance.
Scoring against England in a recent friendly is only going to spur him further ahead of the competition, and yet another African representative aims to have an influence in Russia.
A slow improvement under the tutelage of Wenger has kept Iwobi flirting with the Arsenal starting eleven. There should be little doubt over his place in the Nigeria team, though.