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Every World Cup creates a star that no one saw coming. Colombian James Rodríguez dazzled in the 2014 tournament in Brazil with his spectacular goals that marked the beginning of his move to Real Madrid. And after helping Argentina lift the trophy at Qatar 2022, Enzo Fernandez took advantage of a record £106m move to Chelsea in January 2023.
Someone will surprise us all again this summer. Here are four names to tick off before the tournament begins.
Deniz Undav, Germany
(Photo by Stefan Matzke – sampics/Getty Images)
Age: 29
Position: Striker
Club: VfB Stuttgart (German Bundesliga)
The conversation about Germany begins and ends with Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala. It is understandable that they possess that otherworldly ability. But quietly behind them sits a striker who has just scored 19 goals and six assists in 28 Bundesliga appearances, making him one of the most efficient strikers in the league. He then scored twice against Finland days before the team flew out.
German coach Julian Nagelsmann trusts him. Germany will have games in which they will need to open something from the bench. Undav has been waiting his entire career for exactly that moment to emerge from the shadows of the international scene and become one of the main men at the helm of the team.
Esmir Bajraktarević, Bosnia and Herzegovina
(Photo by Samir Jordamovic/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Age: 21
Position: Abroad
Club: PSV Eindhoven (Dutch Eredivisie)
Born in Appleton, Wisconsin. Raised in a Bosnian home. It arose during the New England Revolution. He switched his international alliance from the United States to Bosnia, then stepped up and converted the decisive penalty to eliminate Italy from its third consecutive World Cup.
He is only 21 years old and plays for PSV. He’s an inverted left-footed winger who takes people on and creates. Bosnia is in a group with Canada, Switzerland and Qatar – a realistic path to the round of 16. Rival teams have yet to properly study him and most fans can’t pronounce his last name. However, Esmir’s game speaks for itself. He is one of those players who would instantly stand out on a futsal field. He glides effortlessly with the ball. He has that fascinating technique when facing his defender.
The goal and assist production has yet to materialize domestically, but he is still young and inexperienced. The personality he showed in the World Cup playoffs against Italy is a telling sign of his personality and confidence, shining at the most important moment of his career.
Antonio Nusa, Norway
(Photo by Mateusz Slodkowski/Getty Images)
Age: 21
Position: Abroad
Club: RB Leipzig (German Bundesliga)
Everything in this Norway squad orbits around Erling Haaland. Every defensive structure collapses inward the moment the burly blonde receives the ball in dangerous areas. This is precisely why Nusa, the 21-year-old right back, is so dangerous. The space exists thanks to the black hole that swallows defenders in the shape of Haaland. Nusa will take advantage of their one-on-one opportunities. He is a direct, fast and cunning winger who plays with a lot of arrogance.
The lineup predicted by coach Ståle Solbakken has him as the starter. Norway achieved eight victories in eight qualifying matches. This team isn’t just here to make up numbers, and Nusa could be a big reason why they make a breakthrough in the tournament.
Nico Paz, Argentina
(Photo by Cristina Sille/Picture Alliance via Getty Images)
Age: 21
Position: Offensive midfielder
Club: Like 1907 (Italian Serie A)
Argentina arrives as defending champions with a familiar question above all: What will happen when Messi can’t take it anymore? The answer could be to wear the squad number next to it. Paz is 21 years old, plays for Como and just had the best season of any midfielder in Serie A by most accounts: 21 goals and assists in all competitions.
Paz has elite vision and an honest work rate off the ball, and moves with rare elegance. He is not expected to start for Argentina, and that is fine. Albiceleste coach Lionel Scaloni will use Paz as an impact substitute. My hunch is that he’ll make the most of his first few minutes and turn them into a start at some point in this tournament.
