DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will not be able to say goodbye to the World Cup simply but.However the clock is ticking on their careers and Qatar may very well be the final time we see them on soccer’s greatest stage.With that in thoughts, ideas naturally flip to a brand new technology and life past two males who’ve dominated the game for the previous 15 years, sharing 12 Ballon d’Or awards for greatest participant of the 12 months and 9 Champions League trophies between them.Theirs are large sneakers to fill and, to their legions of followers, every one stands alone as the best of all time.So if separating Messi and Ronaldo has been tough sufficient, think about changing them. However life — and sport — strikes on and the World Cup is the proper stage for a brand new breed of would-be superstars to showcase their expertise.One title stands out above all because the pure inheritor to the large two: Kylian Mbappe. Not that the France striker may very well be described as “new.” He might solely be 23 and nonetheless ready for his first Ballon d’Or or Champions League trophy, however Mbappe is already a World Cup winner and the main the scorer at this event with 5 targets.He has the trophy Messi and Ronaldo crave — and in per week or so, might have two of them.Mbappe might even have two or three extra World Cups left in him, and, with 9 targets over two tournaments to date, he’s closing in on Miroslav Klose’s all-time report of 16 on the finals.Qatar seems like a passing of the torch to the Paris Saint-Germain ahead, who combines mesmerizing footwork with devastating pace and medical ending, that are the qualities that set Messi and Ronaldo aside for therefore lengthy.However to match their powers of longevity, maybe what Mbappe requires most, is a rival to push him to higher heights.Would Messi or Ronaldo have reached such feats of excellence with out the opposite one driving them on?The obvious problem to Mbappe proper now comes from Erling Haaland, the Manchester Metropolis purpose machine whose nation, Norway, didn’t qualify for the World Cup. He’s a special prospect: uncooked energy and targets, with out the finesse or particular person expertise of Mbappe. However whether it is about numbers, Haaland has the potential to go toe-to-toe with him by way of European trophies and scoring.The World Cup has offered much less apparent competitors for Mbappe.England’s Jude Bellingham represents a special profile of participant, however his dominant midfield performances have pushed his nation to the quarterfinals the place it’s going to meet defending champion France.“I like enjoying with him, he’s younger, he’s energetic, he will get across the pitch very well,” mentioned teammate Declan Rice. “For each sport that I’ve performed with him to date, I’ve simply mentioned to him: That is your stage, exit and carry out.”Elsewhere, Netherlands ahead Cody Gakpo has three targets and has enhanced his popularity after being linked with a switch to Manchester United in the summertime. However he’s nonetheless enjoying his membership soccer within the Dutch league with PSV Eindhoven, so nonetheless has work to do to be thought of among the many elite gamers.Portugal’s Joao Felix is but to fulfil his potential at Atletico Madrid, however has proven flashes of the expertise that noticed him recognized as a star of the long run when rising at Benfica. He has the kind of particular person, game-changing qualities to see him stand out from the pack, whereas the possibility step out of Ronaldo’s shadow for his nation might assist his growth.In the meantime, Felix’ Portugal teammate Goncalo Ramos has instantly thrust himself into focus after his hat trick towards Switzerland within the spherical of 16 when changing Ronaldo within the line up.Argentina’s Julian Alvarez seems like a pure purpose scorer. Germany’s Jamal Musiala is seen as his nation’s large hope, whereas Spain midfield pair Gavi and Pedri are bringing again reminiscences of the nation’s all-conquering partnership of Xavi and Andres Iniesta. However by way of impression, affect and star attraction, none can examine to Mbappe. After all, Messi and Ronaldo will not be achieved but. And who would put it previous both of them so as to add another profitable chapter to their story at this World Cup?___James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson___
Which World Cup starlet can change Messi and Ronaldo?
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