There will be new kings in world football when the curtain closes on the 2022 iteration of the FIFA World Cup. Regardless of whether a favorite or an underdog wins the tournament, you can be sure that fans of the Beautiful Game will be spoiled with high-quality football on their TV screens or on betting websites like www.okbetcasino.live.
However, the ball doesn’t stop rolling even after the dust settles in Qatar. There’s still plenty of football to be played when club football makes its comeback. If the World Cup left you wanting more, here are some stories you should follow once your favorite stars return to their clubs. Following these stories should help you make better betting decisions when club football resumes.
Messi and Ronaldo’s Final Years
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo spent much of the 2010s as the best footballers in the world, and many will argue that either one or the other is the best man ever to kick the ball.
However, many agree that the two footballing titans—they won 71 major trophies combined—are in their final years as professional footballers. Ronaldo is 37 and Messi is 35, so many agree that Qatar is likely the last World Cup they’ll be playing in.
While both players have decorated careers for club and country, a World Cup trophy still eludes their trophy cases. Should they lead their nations to World Cup glory, one will have an undisputed boost to his legacy as the best player ever.
But even if neither of them lifts the Coupe du Monde, there are still compelling questions to be answered. Where will Ronaldo end up after his dramatic exit from Manchester United? Will Messi ever return to Camp Nou?
Young Stars Make Their Mark
While plenty of eyes are fixated on Messi and Ronaldo, three of the game’s wonderkids are using the biggest tournament in the footballing world to announce their presence to the world.
Gavi has been a revelation for Spain throughout the group stages. Barcelona’s starlet midfielder has been spectacular throughout the group stages, and his performance in the knockouts will determine whether he’s due for a big payday for the Blaugrana.
Another young star making his presence felt is Germany’s Jamal Musiala. Bayern Munich’s 19-year-old midfielder is one of the brighter spots of a struggling German squad. While it’s becoming more likely that Die Mannschaft will exit the tournament at the group stages, the former Chelsea academy product will enjoy more attention from the footballing media after the tournament.
Finally, Jude Bellingham quickly established himself as a future star for England. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder has been solid for the Three Lions, scoring a goal during England’s 6-2 dismantling of Iran and being a reliable cog in their draw with the United States. Premier League fans are already salivating at the opportunity to snag the latest product of Dortmund’s star-making machine.
How Will These Stars React?
Only 32 teams can make the big dance, so some of the game’s biggest stars were forced to watch the World Cup from the sidelines. It will be interesting to see how these stars react.
At the forefront of these World Cup misses is Erling Haaland. Manchester City’s latest behemoth goalscorer failed to bring Norway to the World Cup, so he should be well-rested. Premier League clubs should expect a rampage from Haaland when club football continues as he looks to add to his already-impressive 18-goal haul.
Arsenal fans should also expect Martin Odegaard to hit the ground running when they face West Ham on Boxing Day. He and Haaland failed to take Norway to the second round of UEFA qualification, so he should be raring to play. The attacking midfielder has been performing exceptionally well for the Gunners, netting six goals and providing two assists in his 13 Premier League starts this season.
Another star that should make waves is Luis Diaz. The flying left winger is also left watching from the sidelines as Colombia narrowly missed making the intercontinental playoffs by just a single point. Die-hard Reds fans should expect more high-quality games from their star Colombian on Boxing Day.
Keep Yourself Updated for Better Football Bets
These storylines should not only make your football-watching experience better, but they should also help you improve football bets you’ll make. Knowing what the sport’s biggest stars are going through should help you make the right calls when club football kicks off once again.
While the odds at trusted betting sites like OKBET sites can help, keeping track of these stories should help you make better punts that can help you win.
