With the world cup just a few short weeks away, football fans are just about ready to burst with the excitement of the biggest competition returning. With some shock exits already happening in the qualifying stages - such as players like Haaland and Salah not getting through - we're sure to be in for a crazy ride in the 2022 World Cup.

Let's take a look at some of the younger players that have been looking on form and are ones to watch during the 2022 World Cup. Who knows - you may find these players have some great odds to score. Free Bets Expert is a leading betting comparison site that already has an incredible selection of free bets for the World Cup 2022.

10 - Brazil - Rodyrgo Goes

The young Brazilian has been an absolute star for Real Madrid this season, being a pivotal piece of their combination of La Liga, the Champions League and the Spanish Supercup. He provided a whopping 10 assists and netted 9 goals.

What has truly made him one to watch has been his crucial parts in the dramatic comebacks Madrid made against both Manchester City and Chelsea. His incredible talent for finishing will no doubt be used by Brazil to help them hopefully add that 6th star to their kit.

Read Also: Manchester United News: Raphael Varane in tears after being forced off injured amid FIFA World Cup scare

9 - Serbia - Dusan Vlahovic

Vlahovic became a pretty much household name after his jaw-dropping run with Fiorentina in Serie A. In 108 games, he bagged 49 goals and 8 assists and was well and truly put on the radar of many teams.

Juventus managed to bag him after they sold Ronaldo back to United, where he's had a bit of a slow start, but for his nation, he's been absolutely stellar. He's managed to score once in every 73 minutes he's played, making him one to keep an eye on at the World Cup.

8 - France - Aurelien Tchouaméni

You knew Tchouaméni was something special when he became potentially the most expensive summer transfer with his move from AC Monaco to the hallowed ground of the Bernabéu. 

Being incredibly versatile, Tchouaméni shows he possesses the skills to not just be tough, focused and a relentless midfielder - but also smart and competent on the attack whilst creating great chances. You can see why he's a starter for the French team.

7 - England - Jude Bellingham

You know someone's going to be great when they retire a shirt at the tender age of 17. Showing unstoppable talent at Birmingham city, they retired his number 22 shirt when Borussia Dortmund signed him (for a record-breaking amount!).

He's had a goal contribution in every single competition he's played in and is sure to be a key part of England's team.

Read Also: Football News: Harry Kane breaks Aguero's Premier League one-club record with 185th Spurs goal

6 - Spain - Ansu Fati

Taking reign of the legendary no. 10 shirt at Barcelona, to say Fati had big shoes to fill would be the understatement of the century. But Fati seems to be up to the task. At 16 he managed to score his first goal for Barcelona in just 7 minutes of wearing the shirt.

Absolutely oozing talent, he makes everything he does look effortless. He's up for countless records & awards and will surely make a dent for the Spaniards.

5 - Canada - Alphonso Davies

Whilst Canada isn't well known for its world-class football talent, one man could be set to change that. Alphonso Davies has quickly become one of the best fullbacks on the planet, being almost unequal in his pace across the pitch and insane dribbling capability.

Within one season at Bayern Munich, he's been cleaning up the trophies and has also helped Canada appear in the World Cup for the first time since 1986. 100% one to watch.

4 - Spain - Gavi 

Gavi has been causing havoc for Barcelona - and he famously did it with his shoelaces untied! Impressively earning a spot on the first team ever since his debut. Impressive in both defence and attack, Gavi can be cheeky when needed but also has a decent head on him. 

He can play in pretty much every position from midfield and has settled into the Spanish team nicely, becoming the youngest player to ever score for them.

3 - England - Phil Foden

Pep Guardiola called Foden 'the most talented player' he's ever seen - and Pep has managed Iniesta, Xavi and of course Messi. His natural talent is unmistakable and he's had 112 goal contributions in just 212 matches - and he's barely even getting warmed up in his career.

Whilst he hasn't really had the space to have the impact he wanted to on the England squad in the Euros, the World Cup may be a different case as he has had a great season for City.

2 - Spain - Pedri

Pedri's stint at Barcelona has no doubt had a big impact on his development and his market value demonstrates that perfectly - Since joining it's increased by over $72 million. Becoming the unofficial partner of Messi when they were both at Barcelona, he became well known for his vision at seeing plays and then executing them flawlessly.

The impact he will have on the Spanish team will most likely be huge - and with the strong team behind him, they look set to be quite dangerous in this tournament.

Read Also: Which league has produced most Ballon D'or winners?

1 - Brazil - Vinicius Junior

If you know about this kid then you knew he was going to be on this list. Whilst not having the best start for Real Madrid, Vinicius junior managed to turn that around into some great. So great, many people have tipped him to possibly be the most promising young player in this World Cup.

The Brazilian national team has a fresh young lineup that has both the promise, talent and flair of the good old days - with Vinicius promising to be at the helm of that.

Welcome to our live coverage of the Arsenal vs Real Madrid UEFA Champions League 2024-25 quarter-final 1st leg match at Emirates Stadium.

This is Koushik Biswas, who will bring you the buildup, head-to-head stats, team news and real-time updates of the all-important match from our web desk. 

Real Madrid qualified for the last eight after a controversial penalty shootout win over Atletico Madrid, after losing four games to their road to the round of 16. 

In the meantime, Arsenal thrashed PSV by 9-3 on aggregate to reach the quarter-finals. 

We have an exciting 90-minute game at hand. So, sit back and relax as we bring you all the updates from Sportz Point's web desk.

The future of Ansu Fati at FC Barcelona has become clearer than ever as the out-of-favour youngster is adamant about leaving the club this summer.

Having been hailed as the natural heir to club legend Lionel Messi and wearing the coveted number 10 shirt, the 22-year-old forward has suffered a sad decline this season.

❗️ Ansu Fati is feeling really down and disappointed with the situation he’s going through and is now open to leaving. New clubs are starting to show interest in the player.

Ansu is also frustrated with how the club has treated him in small ways—like in training, when he was… pic.twitter.com/INZipMEgtW

— Barça Buzz (@Barca_Buzz) April 6, 2025

Since Hansi Flick took over at the club, Fati has been on the bench far more than playing on the field, which created a distressing situation for the club as well as for the player.

Deco, Barca's sporting director, is reportedly trying to neutralize this season, considering the ongoing regrets at the club for not having seen Fati's full talent due to injury. However, the solution is clear — he needs to be sold, and on a minimum transfer fee of €15 million. 

This figure would appear too small for a player who was once being hailed as the next big thing, but with time and inconsistent play, much of his value has drastically declined.

Read Also | Manchester City reportedly ready to offer €100 million for Pedri

Fati seeks exit from Barcelona

Although his loan spell at Brighton in the Premier League was seen as a new beginning to his career, the season has been very disappointing for Ansu Fati. The forward has openly admitted that he is no longer part of Flick's plans and is now seeking alternative options to salvage his career.

Sources close to the player indicate that he wants a sporting project where he feels valued, gets back to consistency, and above all, can enjoy playing football again. Only 22 years old, Fati knows that he still has time to play at his ultimate level again, but the first step is to identify a club that truly believes in his potential.

However, since the Copa del Rey RO32 game against Barbastro on January 4th, he has failed to earn any game time, even for a single minute.

Ansu Fati has not played since January 4 in Barbastro. pic.twitter.com/C2R91ics8P

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) April 6, 2025

Fati's contract at Barcelona runs until 2027, but he is already thinking of a departure next summer. This was an option he thought of during the last winter transfer window in January, but after discussions with Hansi Flick, he chose to stay with the team, hopeful that he would be given his opportunity.

In January, several clubs expressed interest in Ansu Fati’s willingness to change his surroundings. Clubs such as Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, Porto, and Besiktas all attempted to convince the Spaniard to join their sides, reported Mundo Deportivo.

Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, Porto and Besiktas were all interested in Ansu Fati in January.

However, he decided to stay at Barcelona and fight for a chance.

— @mundodeportivo pic.twitter.com/OZw40RPHUO

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) April 6, 2025

Fati is also frustrated with some things that are no longer in Flick's control but are subject to the club instead. For example, in a few training sessions, he has been the top performer in numerous instances, yet he has watched other players being featured on Barcelona's social media while he is barely being mentioned.

Read Also | Top 11 players with most matches in Laliga history

Barcelona reportedly want €15 million for Fati

Despite his current setbacks, Ansu Fati still draws attention from several clubs. LaLiga teams have enquired about his availability, and Premier League teams are keeping an eye too, lured by the low price tag for a player once considered one of Europe's brightest rising stars.

Sevilla, Villareal, and Real Betis have done the groundwork to potentially sign the winger, either through a loan deal or through a permanent transfer.

English teams, including West Ham and Everton, have apparently agreed to negotiate with them, especially if Barcelona are willing to have favorable terms like variable fees on the transfer price or a loan deal with a compulsory buy.

Deco is aware of the financial situation at the club; he doesn't want to go through a low-cost sale. However, he considers that bids of 30 or 40 million euros are now not on the table. What the target is, though, is to negotiate a sale of no less than 15 million euros, which will assist in relaxing the wage bill and creating liquidity without inflicting massive financial damage.

🚨🔵🔴 Barcelona’s plan with Ansu Fati remains same as January, trying to find a new club in order to sell him.

Ansu rejected more than 4 approaches in January and he’ll have the final decision, but Barça remain open to letting him go.

In that case, new winger could join. 👀 pic.twitter.com/yhcCjUE7er

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 18, 2025

In conclusion, Ansu Fati’s chapter at FC Barcelona is edging closer to a painful end. Although the ending is not as dreamlike as hoped, Barcelona have faith that he can rediscover his best form elsewhere. His talent is still very much unutilized; he only needs the right environment to shine once more.

Read Also | Pau Cubarsi signs Contract Extension with Barcelona to stay at the club until 2029

Pedri, the young FC Barcelona midfielder, has drawn serious interest from the reigning Premier League champions, Manchester City, who are reportedly ready to offer a whopping €100 million for the Spanish midfielder.

According to El Nacional, former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, who is currently at the helm of Man City, has conveyed his interest to the Club's upper echelons to rope in the 22-year-old midfielder.

🚨🚨| JUST IN: Manchester City are interested in signing Pedri.

Pep Guardiola is a big fan of him.

[@fichajesnet] pic.twitter.com/7Shj0Zy77Y

— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) March 30, 2025

Man City are prepared to bid €100 million for Pedri

Pedri has been enjoying a great season at FC Barcelona, having scored 5 goals and provided 7 assists in 44 appearances for the Catalan giants this season. However, his contribution goes beyond the goal involvements, which shows why he has won eight Man of the Match awards in his last ten games for the club.

The 22-year-old midfielder is currently on a mega five-year contract with Barcelona that runs until June 2030. Pedri's contract also includes a release clause set at €1 billion, implying his utmost importance in building the long-term planning of FC Barcelona. 

Manchester City see Pedri as the ideal midfield addition, but Barcelona have no plans to sell the 22-year-old. pic.twitter.com/6ECEUQ9AR6

— Transfer News (@TransfersLlVE) March 30, 2025

However, Pedri is currently valued at €120 million, according to transfermarkt, which is significantly higher than what Manchester City are keen to offer.

The English club has reportedly assessed all the financial aspects and feasibilities of the bid and are prepared to put forward a €100 million transfer fee offer to Barcelona.

Despite the reports, Pedri has not shown any interest in leaving the Blaugrana colours since joining the club from Las Palmas in September 2019, whereas Barcelona will also not be very keen to let Pedri leave.

With the potential departure of key midfielder Kevin De Bruyne said to be imminent, Pep Guardiola is looking to rejuvenate his midfield structure while keeping an eye on Pedri. Nico Gonzalez, another former Barcelona midfielder, was acquired by Man City in February 2025.

Real Madrid's president, Florentino Perez, is known for his brilliant business strategy during the transfer windows. In recent years, Los Blancos have built one of the most impressive and young squads in football. Players like Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, Thibaut Courtois, Fede Valverde, and Rodrygo are all playing for the team, there are not many sides in world football who can compete with them. 

As a result, Los Blancos have to pay for their talent and their wages are pretty handsome. Toni Kroos was the club's highest-paid player but decided to retire at the end of the 2023-24 season. After Kroos' retirement, the club brought in Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain, as of now Mbappe is the most earning player for the Los Blancos. 

So, let's take a look at how much money all Real Madrid players are making in 2025, featuring Los Blancos' stars like Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Junior and rising stars like Arda Guler, Endrick, and Raul Asencio.

Every Real Madrid's Players wages in 2025:

Goalkeepers:

In goal, it should come as a surprise to no one that Thibaut Courtois is comfortably the highest earner in Real Madrid. The Belgian international joined Real Madrid in 2018 from Chelsea and has been a number-one choice since then. However, his injuries were never any doubt about his spot in the starting lineup, and his weekly wage reflects that. Courtois is currently earning at Real Madrid €248,249 per week.

Andrey Lunin is another goalkeeper currently in the first squad and he is currently earning at Real Madrid €46,505 per week. He is the only backup of Thibaut Courtois, so, first-team opportunities are not something he is expected to be presented with too often, but he stepped up brilliantly during Courtois' injury last season.

Defenders:

In terms of the highest-paid defenders at Real Madrid, David Alaba is currently earning at Real Madrid €372,373/week more than any other defenders in the squad. David Alaba's teammates Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao both are currently earning at Real Madrid €234,139 per week.

Similarly, Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy both are currently earning at Real Madrid €172,450/week. Lucas Vasquez is currently earning at Real Madrid €155,238/week. Fran Garcia, Jesus Vallejo, and Raul Asencio, these three defenders are currently earning at Real Madrid €86,225/week, €28,914/week, and €13,493/week each. 

And, as the current reports, Liverpool's Trent Alexander Arnold has agreed on a deal to join Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer and will be taking home €240,000 per week and this will make him the second-highest earning defender for Los Blancos and also, he will become highest-paid right back in the football world. 

Midfielders:

Jude Bellingham has been playing like the best midfielder in the world since his Real Madrid transfer in 2023 and he is currently earning at Real Madrid like the midfielder too. Jude is making €344,735 per week. Federico Valverde is currently earning at Real Madrid €275,887 per week. Aurelien Tchouameni is making over €200,000 per week as he is currently earning at Real Madrid €206,874 per week. 

The last two midfielders in the squad are tied, with Dani Ceballos and Luka Modric both are currently earning at Real Madrid €172,450 per week. The Croatian has accomplished some legendary things for Real Madrid, including winning the Ballon d'Or in 2018. 

Forwards:

Kylian Mbappe is far and away the highest earner for Los Blancos. Kylian Mbappe is currently earning at Real Madrid over half and million euros every single week. Some way behind him in second place among the forwards is Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian is currently earning at Real Madrid under €350,000 per week. 

Vinicius' fellow Brazilian Rodrygo is currently earning €206,874 per week at Real Madrid. And the remaining forwards, Brahim Diaz, Arda Guler, and Endrick, this three-forwards are currently making at Real Madrid €120,649, €83,566, and €66,845 per week each.

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UEFA has assigned an Ethics and disciplinary inspector to the actions of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Antonio Rudiger, and Dani Ceballos after Real Madrid's dramatic win in the penalty shoot-out over Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match on March 12.

One of the incidents being examined is a gesture of Antonio Rudiger's cut-throat celebrations towards the Atletico Madrid's fan base. Meanwhile, some video footage is circulating on social media, showing that Mbappe is making a gesture of groin-squeezing during the triumph celebrations. If the investigations lead to charges and a guilty sentence, the players could face disciplinary actions in the form of suspension, fines, or both.

UEFA's Statement:

🚨 UEFA announce they have opened an investigation into celebrations of Rüdiger, Ceballos, Mbappé and Vinicius Jr after the Real Madrid vs Atlético game at the Metropolitano. pic.twitter.com/Ni4D54i71P

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 27, 2025

A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of indecent conduct by Real Madrid CF players (Antonio Rüdiger, Kylian Mbappé, Daniel Ceballos Fernández, and Vinicius Junior) during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Club Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid CF on 12 March 2025.

What would Real Madrid's planning be?

Real Madrid will eagerly await UEFA's final statement, as a ban for Vinicius, Rudiger, Ceballos, and Mbappe could significantly impact their preparations for the tie against Arteta. They will face the Gunners on April 8 in the Emirates Stadium, with the return fixture a week later in Santiago Bernabeu.

Previous Incidents:

An example of similar behavior in the past led to financial fines and suspensions, setting an example that could influence UEFA’s decision on the current case.  Last summer, during Euro 2024, England midfielder Jude Bellingham was fined 30,000 euros and handed a one-match suspended ban for a groin-squeezing gesture after scoring a late equalizer in England’s 2-1 win over Slovakia in the tournament’s Round of 16.

Another example occurred in 2019 when Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone received a 20,000 euro fine for a similar act after his team scored against Juventus in the UEFA Champions League.

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