The 2022 FIFA World Cup, although described as one of the most controversial tournaments ever organized, provided a platform for young footballers to showcase their talents.
TeamKenya.co.ke looks at four young players who made a breakthrough at the recently concluded Qatar World Cup.
Cody Gakpo
PSV Eindhoven forward Gakpo is among the breakthrough stars of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Gakpo played a vital role to help the Netherlands reach the quarterfinals stage where they were painfully bundled out of the competition by the Lionel Messi-led Argentine side.
In his first World Cup, the 23-year-old caught the eyes of many football fans through his eye for goal and all-around play.
Cody, who has Angolan roots scored three goals and thus became the first Dutch footballer to score in three consecutive FIFA World Cup matches.
Jamal Musiala
Despite the four-time winner Germany, exiting the 2022 FIFA World Cup at the group stage, Jamal Musiala had a tournament to remember.
Musiala, who has Nigerian roots, bossed the German midfield and outshone experienced players like Ikay Gundogan.
In the game against Croatia, the Chelsea academy product registered 12 successful dribbles - the most by a teenager since the 1966 edition.
The Bayern Munich ace was without a doubt Germany’s best player at the Qatar World and more is yet to come from him since he is only 19 years old.
Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham was arguably England’s most valuable player at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
The 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund versatile midfielder was influential for the Gareth Southgate-coached side from the first match of the tournament.
He opened his world cup account in England’s 6-1 hammering of Iran. Bellingham, who funds a school in Kenya’s coastal region, also provided an assist in England’s knockout stage win over Senegal, becoming the first teenager to achieve that remarkable feat.
Bukayo Saka
After missing a crucial penalty at the 2020 UEFA Euro finals, English winger Bukayo Saka went on to have a picture-perfect 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament.
The pacey winger, who plays for multiple-time English Premier League winners, Arsenal, scored 3 goals in his first 3 starts at the 22 edition of the global showpiece.
Saka found the back of the net twice in the Three Lions' 6-1 hammering of minnows Iran. A few days later, the industrious player added another goal to his tally in England’s 3-0 demolition of African representatives Senegal in a one-sided round-of-16 clash.