This is a World Cup full of surprises. Even before it began, it flabbergasted people with the fact that two big-name teams couldn’t make it to the main tournament as both Italy and Netherlands had to bow to out of qualifiers – hence missing out of the finals in Russia. If you thought that that was the end of surprises then and there, you were perhaps never more wrong in life (except for when you thought Justin Bieber could be a great singer after discovering him on YouTube during his initial days).
As the tournament progressed, one shock followed another. It started with Germany as they lost to Mexico and South Korea to bow out of the tournament from the group round itself. And now, four teams have been eliminated from the round of 16: Argentina, Portugal, Spain and Denmark. The first three teams are considered among the big names in football and now they are out as the World Cup continues to surprise people with its unpredictability.
There have been some great individual performances in this World Cup which has largely featured the progression of teams that play well as a unit. These players have not only seen their values increase but could also make big-money moves after the conclusion of the tournament.
And here are 7 such players who could be bought by big amounts after the end of the World Cup 2018.
Hirving Lozano
When Mexico were preparing to take on reigning world champions Germany in their first group game, no one expected them to win. A draw was their best bet in a group which also featured Sweden and South Korea.
In the end, however, Mexico not only played well but also won against the Germans and took their first step towards qualification to the second round. In that match, Hirving Lozano stepped up and scored a goal for his nation.
Juan Quintero
After James heroics in the last World Cup, many thought that this would be another tournament where Colombia would rest on his shoulder as he once again plays at his best to take them as far as possible.
Injuries, however, didn’t help his cause as he missed most of the group stage due to injuries. In his absence, however, another Colombian stepped up and took it upon himself to show his nation the light.
Heung-Min Son
While all the talk is about how Harry Kane is conquering the world at this year’s World Cup, his Spurs teammate also had a great tournament despite the fact that he only played in the three group stage games of the tournament.
Heung-Min Son is not only a wonderful player but also a beautiful personality, someone who wears the crest on his heart while playing. He gives it his 100% whenever he is on the pitch and this is why South Korea won so many hearts in this year’s World Cup.
Alisson
Even before the World Cup began, the Brazil number one was being touted for a big-money move to a European elite. His season with Roma was excellent and he continued his brilliance with Brazil whenever called upon. He hasn’t had to make many saves but looked assured whenever he needed to make one. Among the big-name goalkeepers, his performances have been the best and it is of little wonder as to why he is such a coveted shot-stopper in the world of football right now.
Eden Hazard
It is quite astonishing that Eden Hazard still plays for Chelsea. While the Londoners did win the league in 2016-17, this is as erratic a club as it gets. The season before they won the league, Chelsea finished 10th.
And this season, the Blues finished fifth, subsequently missing out on the Champions League next season. They have barely threatened in Europe with Eden Hazard in the team and it somewhat feels like the Belgian has stagnated as a player at the Stamford Bridge.
Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe has, for a while now, been the best teenage player in the world. He further consolidated his position as the best in this World Cup by a ripper of a performance against Argentina, where he scored two goals and also won a penalty for his team.
While he might have already made a big-money move to Paris-Saint Germain last summer, costing a mammoth €180 million for the French giants, he could once again move clubs this summer with Real Madrid lurking around.