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The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia kicks off in three months’ time and will likely be one of the most-watched sports competition on the planet.
France, Brazil, and Argentina are among the favourites to win the tournament with players like Antoine Griezmann, Neymar, and Lionel Messi expected to excel.
But those nations are far from reliant on just one player and it takes a team effort for a single country to lift the World Cup trophy when the competition finishes on July 15.
For that reason, we’ve collected a list of one player you really need to know from every nation in the tournament.
Argentina — Nicolás Otamendi.
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Position: Defender.
International appearances: 51 (3 goals).
We’re well aware one of the best players on the planet, Lionel Messi, plays for Argentina. As does Paulo Dybala, Sergio Agüero, and Gonzalo Higuaín. Argentina has an embarrassment of riches up front — that’s obvious.
But, in Nicolás Otamendi, Argentina has an outstanding defender to go with its unstoppable attack. Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said Otamendi is a true fighter, according to Goal.com, and that is a quality that will stand out this summer.
Australia — Aaron Mooy.
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Position: Midfielder.
International appearances: 31 (5 goals).
Aaron Mooy is one of the first names on the team-sheet at Huddersfield Town, an over-achieving club in England’s Premier League.
He does not yet have the kudos of veteran attacker Tim Cahill, who has been ever-present in Australia’s squads for almost 15 years, but Mooy is a player the Socceroos can build a team around for the 2018 World Cup and beyond.
Belgium — Kevin de Bruyne.
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Position: Midfielder.
International appearances: 58 (13 goals).
Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne has scored or created a goal for every 123 minutes he has played this season and there are few players who can take that kind of form with them to Russia.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
See Also:
- WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Rick Pitino’s ‘Untouchable’ 1996 Kentucky Wildcats championship team
- WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Michael Jordan’s legendary North Carolina NCAA championship team
- WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Christian Laettner’s legendary 1992 Duke Blue Devils team.
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