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Agence France-Presse

World Cups are where rising stars of football quickly transform into global icons.
Here is a look at five of the contenders to become the game’s next superstar at this year’s finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Nico Paz (Argentina)
The son of former Argentine international Pablo Paz has opted to play for the world champions despite being born and raised in Spain.
Paz, who was a rising star in the Real Madrid academy, has flourished working under Cesc Fabregas since a move to Como in Italy two years ago.
Madrid are reportedly set to exercise their buy-back option on the 21-year-old after his technical ability and eye for goal from range have alerted Europe’s other top clubs.
Paz could have the daunting task of filling in for Lionel Messi with Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni expected to manage the 38-year-old’s minutes during the champions’ title defence.

Desire Doue (France)
Doue has already lit up the biggest stage in club football, winning the man-of-the-match award and scoring twice in Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League final thrashing of Inter Milan last year.
But this will be the 20-year-old’s first taste of a major international tournament.
Doue has a battle just to ensure he starts for Les Bleus among a dazzling display of attacking talent that includes Kylian Mbappe, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise.
But Doue gave Didier Deschamps a timely reminder of his quality with his first two international goals in a 3-1 friendly win over Colombia in France’s last outing in March.

Nico O’Reilly (England)
O’Reilly, 21, has already earned the trust of Pep Guardiola to become a regular for Manchester City.
Scorer of two goals from left-back in City’s League Cup final win over Arsenal in March, O’Reilly began his career as a goalscoring midfielder.
Guardiola has harnessed his blend of height, speed and skill as an attacking weapon from deep and may have solved a problem position for England coach Thomas Tuchel in the process.
England reached the final of Euro 2024 without a natural left-back for most of the tournament due to Luke Shaw’s lack of fitness.
“What a player,” Guardiola said. “He has made an incredible step up and he has had a lot of minutes, but he deserves it.”

Endrick (Brazil)
A teenage prodigy who made his Palmeiras debut at 16 and was snapped up by Real Madrid before his 18th birthday, Endrick’s hopes of shining at the World Cup have been rekindled by a successful loan move at French club Lyon.
Endrick burst onto the international scene by scoring the winner against England at Wembley two years ago and becoming Brazil’s youngest goalscorer since Ronaldo in the process.
Relegated behind international teammate Vinicius Junior and Mbappe after his big move to Madrid two years ago, the 19-year-old has found his scoring touch since his switch to France in January.
Often compared to another Brazilian great Romario for his squat but powerful physique, Endrick will be hoping to recreate the former’s success in scoring five goals as Brazil won the World Cup on US soil in 1994.

Pedri (Spain)
Spain’s latest passing metronome, Pedri, has proven to be a fitting heir to Xavi Hernandez for both club and country.
After first rising to prominence as an 18-year-old at Euro 2020, Pedri was key to Spain’s run to conquering Europe two years ago in Germany, but injury prevented him from featuring in the semi-finals and final.
For Barcelona he has put his fitness troubles behind him under Hansi Flick, playing a starring role in back-to-back La Liga title triumphs over the past two seasons.


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Pedri (right) has proven to be a fitting heir to Xavi Hernandez for both club and country and could be one of the breakout stars at this year’s World Cup. Photo: Reuters 

Nico Paz (right) has flourished working under Cesc Fabregas since a move to Como in Italy two years ago. Photo: EPA

Desire Doue (left) has to compete with Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise for a starting spot in France’s team. Photo: EPA

Nico O’Reilly (left) started his career as a goalscoring midfielder but is now a solid left-back. Photo: EPA 

Endrick (centre) was a teenage prodigy who made his Palmeiras debut at 16. Photo: AFP

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The 2026 Fifa World Cup will be televised in China after all. Photo: AP

Fifa’s Mattias Grafstrom, who was in China this week, confirmed the deal. Photo: Xinhua

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Despite being sacked, Chancy Cooke has backed Football Club’s calls for a relegation reprieve. Photo: Eugene Lee

Football Club’s Leo Montesinos tries to dispossess Kayron Ramos of Kowloon City on Saturday. Photo: HKFA

Sport

Football

Five contenders from Argentina, France, England, Brazil and Spain have the opportunity to become football’s next superstar


Five contenders from Argentina, France, England, Brazil and Spain have the opportunity to become football’s next superstar.


Pep Guardiola

Rising star to global icon: who could be the 2026 World Cup’s breakout player?

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Five contenders from Argentina, France, England, Brazil and Spain have the opportunity to become football’s next superstar

Nico Paz (Argentina)

Five contenders from Argentina, France, England, Brazil and Spain have the opportunity to become football’s next superstar