On the biggest stage in sports, the brightest stars have all lived up to the billing- Messi, Neymar, Ronaldo, Benzema, Van Persie, and a wealth of big names are performing like we’re used to seeing at the club level. But that doesn’t mean the opportunity for the much larger contingent of relatively unknown or up-and-coming players aren’t taking advantage of their time in the spotlight.
2014 FIFA World Cup: Sportsnet.ca is your home for in-depth coverage of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. TV viewers can watch all 64 games on CBC and Sportsnet from June 12 to July 13. Be sure to watch Connected every night on Sportsnet for all of the latest news and analysis. And check out Sportsnet magazine’s team profiles of all 32 nations.
So with the knockout stage of the 2014 World Cup set to kick off this weekend, here is a look at the starting 11 breakout players of the group stage:
Goalkeeper
Guillermo Ochoa, Mexico: Earned Man of the Match honours after shutting out Brazil in impressive fashion during Mexico’s 0-0 draw in Group A action. The 28 year-old vet has started 60 games for Mexico. He’s looking for a new club after parting ways with AC Ajjacio in France’s second league. There will be suitors for him now.
Defenders
Daley Blind, Netherlands: While the Netherlands have paced the tournament in goals scored, don’t overlook their play in their end either. A big part of that has been the performance of Daley Blind, the 24 year-old currently playing for Dutch powerhouse Ajax. Blind reads the play very well and has been able to break up multiple scoring chances, and it’s that skill that has Blind’s name swirling as a surefire transfer target for some of the biggest clubs in the world.
Ricardo Rodriguez, Switzerland: One of seven players for Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg competing in Brazil, Rodriguez offers versatility to Switzerland’s back end and was a key member of the Swiss squad that won the U-17 FIFA World Cup in 2009. At just 21 years old, he’ll be a fixture for the Swiss team for years.
Oscar Duarte, Costa Rica: The 25 year-old has started all matches for Costa Rica and contributed the winning goal- his first in 14 international appearances- in a big win versus Uruguay. He plays for Brugge KV in Belgium.
Mid-fielders
Juan Quintero, Colombia: The 21 year-old is making a name for himself after scoring an impressive goal versus Cote d’Ivoire in group play. Along with James Rodriguez (more on him in a bit), Quintero has really helped shoulder the load for Colombia given the absence of star striker Radamel Falcao.
Charles Aranguiz, Chile: Put in his strongest performance for Chile to date, providing a goal and an assist during the upset over Spain that officially eliminated the defending champs and advanced the Chileans to the Round of 16. Aranguiz, 25, spends his club time in Brazil where he plays for SC Internacional.
Xerdan Shaqiri, Switzerland: The only player on this list who already bides his time on one of the biggest clubs on earth. Bayern Munich, Shaqiri has been an offensive force throughout the tournament, highlighted by a beauty of a goal in Switzerland’s final group game. The 22 year-old only has a marginal role for Bayern, but with 12 goals in 36 games for the Swiss, his abilities won’t go to waste in league play much longer.
Paul Pogba, France: Personifying France’s current youth movement, Pogba, 21, has an assist and an 83.3% passing rate through three games. He plays for Juventus in Italy’s Serie A and is definitely a name to remember in the years ahead.
Forwards
James Rodriguez, Colombia: Like Quintero, a lot of expectations were placed on James’s shoulders after it was learned Falcao would miss the World Cup entirely. The 22 year-old hasn’t disappointed, netting three goals in as many games. Currently playing for AS Monaco in Ligue 1, Rodriguez is quickly establishing himself as one of the most dangerous players in the game and will be the difference in whether or not Colombia advances any further.
Divock Origi, Belgium: With only two appearances for Belgium heading into the tournament (the first was in a friendly vs. Sweden on June 1st), The 19 year-old is making a good impression early, scoring a goal in two World Cup appearances thus far. Origi is a top prospect with Lille OSC in Ligue 1 and has surely grabbed the attention of managers around the world (and raised his potential transfer fee in the process).
Enner Valencia, Ecuador: The 24 year-old was a serious threat to opponents throughout the tourney with three goals to his name. Valancia plays for CF Pachuca in Mexico and has amassed seven goals in 13 games in his career for Ecuador thus far.
Substitute
Memphis Depay, Netherlands: It seems that whenever the Dutch bring Memphis into the game, he produces. He has two goals in Brazil so far and is establishing himself as one of the key players to watch at any level of the game. Memphis, 20, currently plays for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands.
