Statistically speaking, he is the league’s top goalscorer at the World Cup with Victor Osimhen (9) and Ademola Lookman (7) (Nigeria) and Marko Anautovic (8) (Austria) all missing out. The Argentine forward has been involved in 11 goals in 15 Serie A matches (seven goals, four assists), and his form when donning the national team colours is just as impressive, with 21 goals, and seven assists in 40 matches.
Now mix that goal-scoring prowess with the likes of Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Julian Alvarez, and hopefully a fit Paulo Dybala to the frontline, and Argentina are in with a shout for a third World Cup triumph and their first since 1986.
ANDRE-FRANK ZAMBO ANGUISSA
The idea of watching Zambo Anguissa bossing the midfield for Cameroon given his wonderful start to the season is proper food for thought. The midfielder has done a good job shielding the backline of Napoli this season, with the side only facing 32 shots on target this season – the third-best in the league.
His numbers in terms of goal involvement this season have also been impressive for a defensive midfielder, six goals, and three assists in 15 matches is more than a good enough return. Especially when your team holds an eight-point lead at the summit.
ADRIEN RABIOT
A player reborn. France’s Rabiot has been remarkable since his return from a thigh and calf injury. He’s played every minute of Juventus’ last six games, finding the back of the net three times, and picking up two assists in his team’s last five league outings.
Along with 10 other players who have been called up from The Bianconeri, he departs for Qatar with Juventus well in the top four after overcoming a disastrous start to the season that saw them drop out of the Uefa Champions League.
OLIVIER GIROUD
The big number nine is on the cusp of becoming France’s greatest-ever goal scorer. His record for Les Bleu stands at 49 goals in 114 appearances - Thierry Henry leads the way with 51 goals in 123 appearances.
While the record may seem attainable given the fact that France face a familiar foe in Australia, Denmark, and Tunisia in Group D, the Milan striker faces some stiff competition for a starting berth with Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Christopher Nkunku, and not mention Ousmane Dembele all included in Didier Deschamps World Cup plans.
BOULAYE DIA
Salernitana’s talisman and top goal scorer heads to Qatar having picked up six Serie A goals and two assists this season, and has his side sitting comfortably in 12th position, 10-points above the relegation zone.
Boulaye Dia and Senegal open their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands and will be without Sadio Mane meaning there is a chance we could see the forward become a household name for the Lions of Teranga.
PAULO DYBALA
A Wildcard. The Argentine maestro has enjoyed a frantic start to his Roma career. Seven goals plus two assists in nine appearances have proven to be a good bargain for Roma who brought Dybala in on a free transfer from Juventus. Or is it?
The forward has been included in the Argentine squad following his recovery from a hamstring injury recently. Whether he is fully fit, and ready, we will see, and whether he starts over Messi, Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez is another question.
NOTABLE PLAYERS HEADED TO QATAR
Angel Di Maria, Lautaro Martinez (Argentina)
Romelu Lukaku, Charles de Ketelaere (Belgium)
Bremer, Danilo, Alex Sandro (Brazil)
Andre Onana, Enzo Ebosse (Cameroon)
Marcelo Brozovic, Mario Pasalic, Nikola Vlasic (Croatia)
Simon Kjaer, Joakim Maehle (Denmark)
Theo Hernandez (France)
Stefan de Vrij, Teun Koopmeiners, Marten de Roon (Netherlands)
Piotr Zielinski, Arkadiusz Milik (Poland)
Rafael Leao (Portugal)
Fode Ballo Toure (Senegal)
Kim Min-jae (South Korea)
Weston McKennie (USA)
NOTABLE ABSENTEES
Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
Marko Anautovic (Austria)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia)
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Serbia)
Edin Dzeko (Bosnia and Herzegovina)