When it comes to the world of football, there is no showcase quite like the World Cup, not even the Champions League. The World Cup is capable of putting players on the map every four years. Qatar 2022 is no exception. Here at MARCA, we’ve made our own ‘Revalued FC’.
Cho Gue-Sung (South Korea)
South Korea’s ‘heartthrob’: he started the World Cup with 20,000 followers on Instagram and now has more than 2.7 million. His brace in the 3-2 defeat to Ghana catapulted him to stardom, becoming the first Korean to score two goals in a World Cup match and the first Asian to score two headed goals in the same World Cup match.
‘Transfermarkt’ value: 1.4 million.
The 24-year-old center-back is a prime example what it means to ‘jump off the bench’ at a World Cup. He arrived at Qatar 2022 having played just one league game for Stoke in the Championship (English second division). However, the Australian ‘great coral barrier’ slipped into almost all the ‘Ideal Teams’ of the group stage. Reports out of England say Everton and Wolverhampton are ready to sign him for 20 million euros.
‘Transfermarkt’ value: 4.5 million.
Hassan Tambakti (Saudi Arabia)
The 23-year-old right-sided center-back impressed, as did his teammates Al Owais (goalkeeper), Kanno (midfielder) and Al Dawsari (winger). Tambakti played a particularly important role in the 2-1 win over Argentina. “He has incredible characteristics. he is very quick to cut and very calm with the ball,” his former coach, Carlos Inarejos, told MARCA.
‘Transfermarkt’ value: 1 million.
Aïssa Laïdouni (Tunisia)
The 25-year-old Ferencvaros midfielder won over the crowd with his sacrifice. Laidouni celebrated every tackle and every interception as if it were a goal. FIFA rewarded his commitment by awarding him the ‘MVP’ award against Denmark (0-0).
‘Transfermarkt’ value: 4 million.
Vanja Milinkovic-Savic (Serbia)
Serbia’s poor showing shouldn’t tarnish the great overall performance of the Torino goalkeeper, born in Orense 25 years ago. In fact, Serbia were eliminated in the group stage and the brother of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (SMS) remains the goalkeeper with the second most saves (16) in Qatar 2022. Only Wojciech Szczesny has more with 21.
‘Transfermarkt’ value: 2.5 million.
Jean-Charles Castelletto (Cameroon)
The 27-year-old Nantes center-back was key, along with Pallois, for Nantes en route to winning the Coupe de France. At the World Cup, he made several last-ditch tackles in the 1-0 loss to Switzerland and scored and assisted in the 3-3 draw with Serbia. Unfortunately, he missed the victory against Brazil (1-0) due to injury.
‘Transfermarkt’ value: 4 million.
Luis Chavez (Mexico)
The Pachuca midfielder was a rare bright spot for a Mexico side that, after seven consecutive appearances in the World Cup round of 16, failed to make it out of the group stage. Chavez, 26 years old, stood out for his two-way running and his ability to get forward. His goal against Saudi Arabia (2-1) from a direct free kick is one of the best of the World Cup.
‘Transfermarkt’ value: 6.5 million.
Ko Itakura (Japan)
We move up a step when looking at the players. Japan had several players increase their value, however, the Borussia Monchengladbach center-back has been the most consistent performer throughout the tournament. He was absent against Croatia – suspended for an accumulation of cautions – but showed aggressiveness and anticipation.
‘Transfermarkt’ value: 7.5 million.
Antonee Robinson (United States)
The 25-year-old showed all his athletic ability in helping the USA reach the round of 16. Robinson is the player who completed the most sprints in the tournament according to FIFA: 288. He is also fourth in interceptions (7) and eighth in crosses (21), and is being linked with Newcastle and Inter.
‘Transfermarkt’ value: 10 million.
Tyler Adams (United States)
Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah were exceptional, but what can you say about Tyler Adams. The Leeds midfielder, signed this summer from RB Leipzig for 17 million, was the anchor that balanced the defense and attack. He ranks third in terms of completed tackles (9).
‘Transfermarkt’ value: 17 million.
Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco)
Luis Enrique’s words have helped boost the 22-year-old’s stock. “He plays very well and hasn’t stopped running,” said the Spanish coach. Against Spain he was the player who ran the most kilometers (14.71). He was also second in terms of recovered balls for Morocco (9), second in terms of successful tackles, and second for most duels won (7).
‘Transfermarkt’ value: 3.5 million.
Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco)
Still with Fiorentina, Amrabat could have joined Tottenham in the summer as revealed by his brother, Nordin. He left nothing for Pedri, Gavi and Busquets, just as he did for Modric and De Bruyne. His deployment and resilience is one of the reasons Morocco have only conceded one goal in Qatar 2022, with his price tag now said to be 30 million euros.
‘Transfermarkt’ value: 10 million.
Mohamed Kudus (Ghana)
Ajax’s ‘all-rounder’ – he can even play as a false nine – has had a strong start to the season: 10 goals in 21 games, four in the Champions League. “I see Kudus playing in a big club like Real Madrid or Barcelona,” said his teammate Iñaki Williams on Radio MARCA. Ghana’s elimination in the group stage did not prevent Kudus from shining, scoring twice against South Korea and winning the penalty against Uruguay.
‘Transfermarkt’ value: 15 million.
Enzo Fernandez (Argentina)
The former River Plate player, who joined Benfica this summer for 12 million euros, will be one of the big names to move next summer. It’s rumoured he could cost as much as 80 million, and we’ve already revealed at MARCA that Real Madrid may turn to him should they fail to land Jude Bellingham. Fernandez made his mark in the World Cup with a great goal against Mexico and a great pass for Alvarez’s goal against Poland.
‘Transfermarkt’ value: 35 million.
Goncalo Ramos (Portugal)
Fernando Santos put him in the starting line-up in the 6-1 drubbing of Switzerland in the round of 16, and the 21-year-old Benfica man responded in style: he became the first player since Miroslav Klose (2002) to score a hat-trick in his first World Cup start. He scored the first with a left-footed howitzer, the second by attacking the near post and the third with a subtle lob. PSG are already in the mix, but 60 million euros may not be enough.
‘Transfermarkt’ value: 24 million.
Cody Gakpo (Netherlands)
Already a star in the Eredivisie, he is the only player in the big leagues who can compete with Erling Haaland when it comes to scoring production. This season he has been involved in 30 goals: he has scored 13 and assisted on 17 for PSV. He’s been the best ‘Oranje’ player, scoring three goals with four shots on goal.
‘Transfermarkt’ value: 45 million.
Josko Gvardiol (Croatia)
The ‘man in the mask’ is the biggest name on our list. He wasn’t quite as good in the round of 16 against Japan, but he was fantastic in the group stage. “His transfer will be worth over 100 million,” Igor Jovicevic, Gvardiol’s former coach at Dinamo Zagreb, told MARCA. Leipzig already rejected an 80 million euro bid from Chelsea in the summer.
‘Transfermarkt’ value: 60 million.
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