It is hard to believe that, amidst such a congested club season, the World Cup 2022 is now less than a month away.
Given the amount of big names struggling with injury – the list currently includes Paulo Dybala, N’Golo Kante, Reece James, Angel di Maria and Paul Pogba – it is also clear some key men will be absent.
Yet while the SBOTOP World Cup betting odds will certainly change between now and the final on December 18, there is plenty to be excited about.
So, who will create World Cup highlights in Group C (which comprises Argentina, Poland, Mexico and Saudi Arabia)?
Well, I’ve been asked to select key players and none of them will surprise you.
Lionel Messi, Argentina
Make no mistake, this will be Messi’s final World Cup.
The two-time world champions are heading to Qatar in good shape, unbeaten in 35 games since losing to Brazil at the 2019 Copa America.
And, of course, they are the current South American champions.
Currently ranked third in the world, coach Lionel Scaloni will look no further than Messi, scorer of nine goals in his country’s last three games, for inspiration.
Both player and manager will also know that at the age of 35, this is Messi’s last chance to win a World Cup and that motivation could be powerful.
Remember, this is a player who was omitted from the 30-man Balon D’Or 2022 shortlist for the first time since 2005.
Yet Messi, who has won the award a record seven times, may well be fresher in Qatar than on other occasions when he featured in international tournaments following long seasons.
You write him off at your peril.
Hirving Lozano, Mexico
This will actually be Mexico’s 17th appearance at the World Cup – only Brazil, Germany, Italy and Argentina have appeared in the tournament more often.
Unlike on other occasions, they don’t appear to have one big star name this time.
However, there is one man who may make a key difference between them progressing from the group or going home early.
That is Lozano, who has played his part in Napoli’s early season success in Serie A.
After an iconic performance in 2018, scoring the 1-0 winner against then holders Germany and sending Mexico to the last 16, he returns to the international stage with a desire for greatness.
The past four years have seen him make the jump from PSV Eindhoven to the Italian top-flight to chase new ceilings.
In his two seasons with the Eredivisie team, the player lifted the league title in 2017/2018, while concluding the campaign as the team’s highest scorer with 17 goals. He also saw Champions League action, alongside El Tri teammate Erick Guttierez.
In 2019, transferred to the Serie A giants, signing a five-year contract for a reported fee of €42 million to make him Napoli’s most expensive transfer at the time and the highest fee paid for any Mexican player.
He has since shattered records with the club.
What price is he making his mark for the country?
Robert Lewandowski, Poland
Like Messi, his inclusion is not a surprise. Like Messi, this will be his final chance at World Cup glory.
Poland, of course, are not genuine contenders to win the trophy but with the prolific frontman, they will always have a chance to win games.
Lewandowski recently scored the 600th and 601st goals of his club career, taking his tally to 16 in 14 games in all competitions since moving from Bayern Munich in a £42.6 million summer transfer.
In the process, he became only the third player since 2000 to pass the 600-goal career mark after Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
At Bayern Munich, Lewandowski scored 344 times in 375 games and netted 103 times in 186 appearances for previous club Borussia Dortmund.
Before moving to Germany, he grabbed 21 for Znicz Pruszkow and 41 goals for fellow Polish side Lech Poznan and has also 76 goals in 134 international matches for Poland.
Ok, he may not have the support network for the country that he has enjoyed for his clubs over the past decade, but his ability and determination to help his nation reach the last 16 – something they failed to achieve four years ago – will be an incentive.
While there is more to Lewandowski’s game than just goals, of course, there is no question their opener against Mexico on November 22 should prove key.
The World Cup betting odds make Argentina clear favourites to win the group.
Mexico probably have the edge over Poland too, although given that the second-place team from Group C may well face world champions France in the last 16, the onus on topping the table is clear.
So, do you think a nation from Europe or South America (or elsewhere) will be crowned world champions just before Christmas?
It’s almost time to place your bets!
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