Skip to main content
FourFourTwo FourFourTwo FOOTBALL NEWS, FEATURES, QUIZZES
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
flag of UK
UK
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of 대한민국
대한민국
flag of Türkiye
Türkiye
  • Soccer Cleat Buying Guides
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Video
  • Features
  • Quizzes
  • Clubs
  • More
    • Interviews
    • The Magazine Archive
    • Subscribe
    • Lists
    • How to watch
    • About
FourFourTwo Magazine
FourFourTwo Magazine
Why subscribe?
  • Fascinating feature articles, covering everything from grass-roots football to the international scene
  • 'ACCESS ALL AREAS' pass to exclusive interviews with the biggest and best names in the game!
From$29.99
View
Trending
  • WATCH the UCL
  • Transfers
  • Interviews
  • Messi
  • Ronaldo
  • EPL

Recommended reading

Ranked! The 10 best attacking midfielders in the world
Lists Ranked! The 10 best attacking midfielders in the world
Lionel Messi celebrates with the World Cup trophy after Argentina's win at Qatar 2022.
Stories World Cup 2026 power rankings: Are Lionel Messi and Argentina still the team to beat?
LIMEIRA, BRAZIL - FEBRUARY 23: Neymar of Santos reacts during a Campeonato Paulista match between Inter de Limeira and Santos at Major Levy Sobrinho Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Limeira, Brazil. (Photo by Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images)
Stories RANKED! The top 10 Puma football athletes of 2025
Ranked! The 10 best left wingers in the world
Lists Ranked! The 10 best left-wingers in the world
Ranked! The 10 best right wingers in the world
Lists Ranked! The 10 best right-wingers in the world
France Women Euro 2025 squad: France Women celebrate a goal against Switzerland in the Nations League
Stories France Women Euro 2025 squad: Laurent Bonadei's team in full
Ranked! The 10 best strikers in the world
Lists Ranked! The 10 best strikers in the world
  1. Features

10 World Cup 2018 breakout stars we can't wait to see

By Greg Lea published 5 June 2018

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Youngsters to watch

Youngsters to watch

One of the best things about the World Cup is the chance for lesser-known talents to introduce themselves to the football public on the biggest stage of all. With Russia 2018 now just days away, we’ve picked out 10 potential breakout stars who could make a major impact on the tournament…

Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
Viktor Claesson (Sweden)

Viktor Claesson (Sweden)

Sweden approach this World Cup in a cautious mood because most of their players, including star playmaker Emil Forsberg, are in poor form. However, that certainly can't be said of versatile midfielder Claesson, who’s enjoyed a marvellous season for Krasnodar in netting 10 league goals and providing solid all-around performances.

The 26-year-old was magnificent in a couple of historic fixtures against Italy, as the Swedes kept two clean sheets in the World Cup qualifying play-offs. His energy, stamina and powerful shooting ability will be extremely useful this summer.

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Iran)

Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Iran)

His name could be impossible for many to pronounce properly, but commentators all over the world should beware: Jahanbakhsh is on his way to becoming a major star.

The 'Iranian Ronaldo' has just made history by becoming the first Asian top scorer ever in a Western European league, having netted 21 goals for AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie. He was also the third-best assister in Holland with 12, so contributed directly to 33 goals in 33 matches. Not bad for a winger, and comparisons to Mohamed Salah are natural – even if Jahanbakhsh is nicknamed after Real Madrid's superstar attacker.

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
Moussa Konaté (Senegal)

Moussa Konaté (Senegal)

Amiens provided one of the most delightful stories in Ligue 1 last season, comfortably staying up after winning their first ever promotion to the top flight in 2017. Signed from Sion in summer 2017, Konaté contributed 13 goals – more than a third of his team's total – including a majestic brace in a 2-2 draw against PSG.

That easily makes him the most in-form penalty area predator for his country, and he could flourish when linking up with Liverpool winger Sadio Mané.

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
Pione Sisto (Denmark)

Pione Sisto (Denmark)

The first player of Sudanese origin to play at a World Cup, Sisto should be a favourite with the neutrals thanks to his pace, trickery and boldness. He loves the big occasion as well, having scored twice against Manchester United in the Europa League in 2016.

The winger then moved from Midtjylland to Celta Vigo and gained valuable experience in La Liga, finding the net against his favourite team, Barcelona. The 23-year-old has a good understanding with Christian Eriksen and provided two assists when Denmark thrashed Ireland 5-1 in the World Cup qualifying play-offs.

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Serbia)

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Serbia)

It's remarkable that former Serbia manager Slavoljub Muslin ignored the Lazio midfielder during World Cup qualification, which was one of the major reasons for his controversial dismissal. Now that the Serbs have the inexperienced Mladen Krstajic in the dugout, Milinkovic-Savic is a guaranteed starter.

His Serie A season was outstanding; not just because he scored 11 goals, but mostly thanks to his all-around contributions. Physically strong and tremendous in the air, Milinkovic-Savic is also elegant in possession and a brilliant passer.

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
Lucas Torreira (Uruguay)

Lucas Torreira (Uruguay)

The diminutive 22-year-old had a brilliant season for Sampdoria, emerging as one of the best midfielders in Serie A for tackles, interceptions and ball recoveries. His distribution is also excellent and he can shoot from distance: Torreira scored four goals in 2017-18, including a fine strike in a 3-2 win over Juventus.

He's only made two substitute appearances for Uruguay this year and didn't take part in the qualifiers, but his rise has been fast and he could blossom if given responsibility in Russia.

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
Miguel Trauco (Peru)

Miguel Trauco (Peru)

Most of Peru’s squad ply their trade in South America and are therefore somewhat unknown to European fans. Trauco, the energetic, attack-minded left-back, could be a revelation in Russia thanks to his contributions up and down the wing.

One of the top assist-providers in the Peruvian league before departing for Flamengo in 2017, he performed brilliantly at the 2016 Copa America, including in a famous 1-0 victory over Brazil. He's been an important member of the national team ever since and is bound to receive some interesting offers if he performs well in Russia.

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
Piotr Zielinski (Poland)

Piotr Zielinski (Poland)

Outgoing Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri doesn't like to rotate his line-up, but Zielinski nevertheless forced himself into consideration over the last two seasons. The 24-year-old Pole is a marvellous midfielder who combines delicate touches and passing ability with remarkable stamina.

He was a bench-warmer at Euro 2016, but the youngster became a key figure during World Cup qualification. He should now be their leader in midfield, particularly as Grzegorz Krychowiak is so desperately out of form following his disastrous spell at West Brom.

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
Hakim Ziyech (Morocco)

Hakim Ziyech (Morocco)

Having dragged Ajax to the 2017 Europa League final, the skilful and visionary playmaker topped last season’s Eredivisie charts with 15 assists, while also scoring nine goals and generally running the show for the Amsterdammers. But that seems to be it: he has said "I need a new challenge," and looks set to leave this summer.

The Dutch-born 25-year-old represented his nation of birth at under-21 level, but eventually chose Morocco. They're going to Russia, and the Dutch aren't; Ziyech himself will soon be moving on, with Inter and Roma heading the queue.

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
Roman Zobnin (Russia)

Roman Zobnin (Russia)

Zobnin isn’t a household name outside of his home country, but his progress since joining Spartak Moscow from neighbours Dynamo in the summer of 2016 has been outstanding.

Versatile, dedicated, tactically disciplined and a quick learner, the midfielder was a revelation for the team that sensationally won the championship title in 2017 – the first time Spartak had done so in 16 years. A knee ligament injury cruelly ruled him out of the Confederations Cup and limited his Champions League action, but the 24-year-old is back to full fitness in time for the World Cup.

Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
Greg Lea
Greg Lea
Social Links Navigation

Greg Lea is a freelance football journalist who's filled in wherever FourFourTwo needs him since 2014. He became a Crystal Palace fan after watching a 1-0 loss to Port Vale in 1998, and once got on the scoresheet in a primary school game against Wilfried Zaha's Whitehorse Manor (an own goal in an 8-0 defeat).

Read more
Ranked! The 10 best attacking midfielders in the world
Ranked! The 10 best attacking midfielders in the world
Lionel Messi celebrates with the World Cup trophy after Argentina's win at Qatar 2022.
World Cup 2026 power rankings: Are Lionel Messi and Argentina still the team to beat?
LIMEIRA, BRAZIL - FEBRUARY 23: Neymar of Santos reacts during a Campeonato Paulista match between Inter de Limeira and Santos at Major Levy Sobrinho Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Limeira, Brazil. (Photo by Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images)
RANKED! The top 10 Puma football athletes of 2025
Ranked! The 10 best left wingers in the world
Ranked! The 10 best left-wingers in the world
Ranked! The 10 best right wingers in the world
Ranked! The 10 best right-wingers in the world
France Women Euro 2025 squad: France Women celebrate a goal against Switzerland in the Nations League
France Women Euro 2025 squad: Laurent Bonadei's team in full
Latest in Lists
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 30: Laura Woods, TNT Sports presenter before the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal FC at City Ground on January 30, 2024 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Women's Euro 2025: Who are the ITV presenters, pundits and commentators?
BBC Sport Presenter, Alex Scott, reacts prior to the Barclays Women's Super League match between Everton and Manchester City at Walton Hall Park on December 15, 2024 in Liverpool, England.
Women's Euro 2025: Who are the BBC presenters, pundits and commentators?
The 100 most expensive football transfers of all time: Florian Wirtz is unveiled as a Liverpool player after his signing at AXA Training Centre on June 20, 2025 in Kirkby, England.
The 100 most expensive football transfers of all time
2026 World Cup stadium guide: General view during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 semifinal match between Canada and Argentina at MetLife Stadium on July 09, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
2026 World Cup stadium guide: The full list of venues
The 100 most expensive football transfers of all time: Florian Wirtz is unveiled as a Liverpool player after his signing at AXA Training Centre on June 20, 2025 in Kirkby, England.
The 100 most expensive football transfers of all time
Ranked! The 10 best strikers in the world
Ranked! The 10 best strikers in the world
Latest in Features
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, May 2025
Quiz! Can you name the biggest signings of the 2020s so far?
General view inside the stadium as a section of empty seats are seen during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group A match between SE Palmeiras and FC Porto at MetLife Stadium on June 15, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Chelsea fume at two-hour Club World Cup extreme weather delay - but will the 2026 World Cup suffer the same fate?
Lee Carsley, Head Coach of England poses for a photograph with the UEFA Under-21 Euro 2023 trophy after defeating Spain during the UEFA Under-21 Euro 2023 Final on July 08, 2023 in Batumi, Georgia. (Photo by Alex Caparros - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Quiz! Can you name every member of England under-21s' 2023 Euros-winning squad?
Euro 2025 squads
Women's Euro 2025 squads: Every team at the tournament
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 30: Laura Woods, TNT Sports presenter before the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal FC at City Ground on January 30, 2024 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Women's Euro 2025: Who are the ITV presenters, pundits and commentators?
Lotte Wubben-Moy, Alessia Russo and Ella Toone at England training
How EE is building young girls’ confidence on and off the pitch ahead of the Women’s Euros
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Matheus Cunha of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Gtech Community Stadium on October 05, 2024 in Brentford, England.
    1
    Here's how Manchester United could play with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo
  2. 2
    Inter Miami's ugly Club World Cup exit raises questions about MLS's future in global game
  3. 3
    'The most important thing is obviously to win, but it's also very important how we face the game' Javier Mascherano tells FourFourTwo why Inter Miami can't 'compete as equals' in PSG defeat
  4. 4
    Manchester United agree long-term deal with wonderkid: report
  5. 5
    Chelsea fume at two-hour Club World Cup extreme weather delay - but will the 2026 World Cup suffer the same fate?

FourFourTwo is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About FourFourTwo
  • Advertise with us
  • Worldwide
  • How to pitch to FourFourTwo

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...