World Cup 2022 Rising Stars

Jamal Musiala: Germany

Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala is set to feature for Germany in the Qatar World Cup. Germany will be looking to put behind the disappointment of the 2018 World Cup, and Musiala will play an important role in the German squad. According to the latest soccer odds, Germany is priced at +1000 to go all the way and lift the World Cup trophy.

Last year, Musiala stamped his authority as a big-time player on the international scene with Germany, coming on at the Euros to play an essential role in helping his country achieve qualification for the tournament’s Round of 16 with just minutes to spare.

Still a teenager, Jamal Musiala is doing things most footballers could never even dream of. Bayern has rewarded his world-class play by preferring him to the experienced Leroy Sane. Throughout the past year in Europe’s top 5 leagues, Musiala is above the 95th percent in total shots, non-penalty xG, assists, and shot-creating actions. It’s hard to find anyone better at progressing the ball forward.

Musiala is Bayern’s current top scorer in the Bundesliga with nine goals in the opening 14 games, while his 16 goals involvements across all competitions is also a team-high tally. Nagelsmann’s shift in the system has seen the teenager excel alongside Bayern’s equally-explosive attackers Sadio Mane, Leroy Sane, and Thomas Muller. The quartet’s interchanging positions have made the Bavarians impossible to second-guess in the post-Lewandowski era.

Julian Alvarez: Argentina

Argentina will be a strong favorite going into the World Cup, and all eyes will undoubtedly be on Lionel Messi, who will be playing his final World Cup. With his last shot at glory, Messi will undoubtedly bring out his best, and Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez will be looking to provide a helping hand to the all-time great.

The Premier League reigning champ Man City signed the Argentina striker in the January transfer window from River Plate but immediately sent the 22-year-old back to his former club, where he would see out the rest of the season. He looked great value at just $17M, given his fantastic record while playing in South America.

The young striker scored 54 goals and provided 31 assists in 122 games, representing a return of one goal contribution in less than every two matches. The Argentinian was in particularly fine form last season, scoring 18 goals and registering six assists in 26 games.

Alvarez did impress in the Community Shield defeat to Liverpool, in which he scored City’s only goal. The 22-year-old also found himself on the scoresheet in his side’s friendly against Barcelona. Despite his lack of game time in the Premier League thus far, Pep Guardiola has revealed that he has been surprised by just how good the Argentine striker is.

He is going to do well at City. In fact, we believe he is going to be a superstar. He’s one of the best players in Argentina’s squad, he’s a great goalscorer, and he shoots very well with both feet. Argentina is the second favorite to lift the World Cup trophy priced at +550, and we will include them in our soccer picks and parlays.

Jude Bellingham: England

English midfielder Jude Bellingham made his debut for the senior England team in November 2020 at the age of 17. Bellingham’s talent can be estimated from the fact that, when transferred from Birmingham City to Borussia Dortmund, he set a world record transfer fee for a 17-year-old. Bellingham is a regular goal-scorer for Dortmund.

Bellingham will be a crucial player for England coach Gareth Southgate. He’s already proved that the international stage does not faze him. Qatar 2022 could come just at the right time for him to really shine, along with Phil Foden, in an England side that made the semi-finals in Russia in 2018. For such a young kid, he plays way beyond his age.

Bellingham has become one of his country’s most important figures in the middle of the park of late, often featuring alongside West Ham captain Declan Rice. In fact, Bellingham has featured in seven of England’s eight games in 2022, only once playing fewer than 60 minutes; that’s how crucial he is to his manager’s plans. England is priced at +450 to be the top European team, and if you’re betting online, you should back them to win their group and have a deep tournament.