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Real Madrid: Exciting young players to watch out for at the World Cup

By Sahel Kazi

DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 21: Jude Bellingham of England acknowledges the England fans after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and IR Iran at Khalifa International Stadium on November 21, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 21: Jude Bellingham of England acknowledges the England fans after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and IR Iran at Khalifa International Stadium on November 21, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /
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3. Rafael Leao (Portugal)

Real Madrid
Rafael Leao, Portugal. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /

This one excites us the most. Mostly because a lot of fans aren’t looking in the direction of Rafael Leao when considering the most exciting young talents at the World Cup and because we cannot wait for the Portuguese youngster to surprise the masses.

Sure, Leao might not enjoy the same attention as some of the other English or German talents on this list. But he has already shown his ability for AC Milan, winning the Serie A MVP last season, as they lifted the league title for the first time in eleven years.

Tell you what, Leao is the pinnacle of what it means to be a modern day winger. At 6’2″, he is rather tall for a winger and is incredibly fast and skilful. He can change the complexion of games with something magical in the blink of an eye.

Over on the left flank for AC Milan he’s produced more than a few of those moments of magic over the course of the season. Playing in the Serie A brings with it its fair share of set-backs for creative ‘artists’ like Leao but being gritty and helping out in defence hardly holds back any player who wishes to play under the constraints of Fernando Santos’ rigid system.

Leao for us is one of the brightest and most in-form wingers going into the World Cup. Portugal certainly will not have it easy this time round with a group consisting of gritty defences like Ghana, South Korea and the high-flying Uruguay.

Leao could potentially take Diogo Jota’s place in the first XI, with the Liverpool star out injured. Having the combination of Bernardo Silva’s silky touch and Leao’s electrifying pace either side of Ronaldo will definitely help a Portugal team, who’s attacking end has often looked one-dimensional and stocky in recent months.

On his day, Leao can be just the spark Santos needs to set this team off. As for Real Madrid, we would be most pleased if the club manage to sign him from AC Milan someday. That being said, it’s unlikely anyone finds a solution to have him and Vinicius Junior in the same line-up.

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