The FIFA World Cup has always been a tournament of players. Even though a national team writes its name in history, it has always been linked to the rise of a star who becomes a legend. Pelé did it with Brazil in 1958, Maradona in Mexico '86, Paolo Rossi in Spain in 1982, or Ronaldo in Japan and South Korea in 2002. In recent years, Mbappé in Russia 2018 and Leo Messi when he lifted his coveted trophy for Argentina in Qatar have joined that list. In this World Cup, there are players who will undeniably carry the weight of leadership in their national teams. Some due to their seniority and experience, others because they are here to take the torch. For all of them, what happens in the United States, Mexico, and Canada is a litmus test. They are the standard-bearers, the stars of those teams that, along with Spain, are considered favorites.
For Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, this will be their last World Cup. Both debuted in Germany in 2006 and, 20 years later, they aim to bid farewell by leading their teams to the top. The Argentine, at 38, lifted a weight off his shoulders when in Qatar, he pushed to bring the third star to the Albiceleste jersey. There, in his fifth World Cup, he became the player with the most games played, 26, and increased his goal tally to 13 and assists to eight. He started accumulating his eight Ballon d'Or awards in 2009, but his status as the best player, year after year, did not translate into success with Argentina. Germany crossed his path in a painful way: in 2006, they knocked him out in the quarter-finals, as in South Africa 2010, and dealt them a harsh blow in Brazil, snatching the title from them in extra time (1-0). In Russia, four years later, France was the executioner (4-3), this time in the first knockout stage, in the round of 16.
In Qatar, they sought revenge. Messi scored seven goals and was surrounded by talent at his service, just like when the ball starts rolling for them in Kansas City against Algeria. Scaloni knows he has a gem, even if his shine is not blinding now and he finds himself at Inter Miami in the MLS, but he still shines when accompanied by other experienced players who are still battling in the top European teams. That's why Argentina is not the favorite with the highest market value, with ¤760 million compared to the ¤1.31 billion that Spain is valued at by Transfermarkt. Messi is not even the most expensive player; it's those who are expected to take over: Enzo Fernández and Julián Álvarez (¤90 million).
Also facing his sixth and final World Cup is Cristiano Ronaldo with the captain's armband for Portugal. At 41, he still carries the burden left by Zidane's goal in the 2006 World Cup semi-finals. Back then, it was Figo and Deco leading the Portuguese team, now joined by the young star who only scored a penalty goal. Since then, they have only reached the quarter-finals in Qatar, where Morocco eliminated Portugal. Their worst memory was undoubtedly Brazil 2014, where they were knocked out in the group stage.
Cristiano is close behind Messi with 22 World Cup appearances, eight goals, and the record of being the only player to score in five editions, a feat he can improve now. Roberto Martínez, far from retiring him, has given him more responsibility, and he always delivers. His move to Al-Nassr in the Saudi League did not exclude him from national team call-ups. In fact, it was Cristiano who lifted the Nations League trophy in 2025 after defeating Spain, Portugal's first title since the 2016 Euro Cup. In this World Cup, Portugal's strength lies in its midfield, led by Vithina, valued at ¤110 million, making him one of the most prized players in the tournament. Despite taking care of his body like a temple, the possibility of reaching the World Cup in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco at 45 seems almost impossible. This is his last great chance to lead Portugal to the glory that, despite having a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, the best European player in history, they have not achieved.
Harry Kane is also contemplating if this will be his last World Cup. The captain of England will experience the tournament amidst a revolution following Thomas Tuchel's arrival. His approach for the Three Lions has not been tested in a major tournament yet, but he still has Kane's leadership, whose season at Bayern has been outstanding: 61 goals in all competitions. This will be his third World Cup, coming at a time of full maturity. In Russia in 2018, England fell in the semi-finals to Croatia and finished in fourth place. However, he won the Golden Boot with six goals. Four years later, in Qatar, France eliminated them in the quarter-finals 2-1: Kane scored a penalty for the English but missed another in the 84th minute that could have equalized and forced extra time. Despite not reaching the Champions League final, being thrashed by PSG in the semi-finals, his goal tally and England's performance in the World Cup will determine if he can dream of contending for the Ballon d'Or.
In the competition, he may encounter the leaders of France and Brazil, who belong to another generation with more World Cups ahead of them. Kylian Mbappé is entering his second World Cup, as he went to Russia at 19 to achieve glory. He debuted with the Les Bleus in March 2017 and a little over a year later, he was a champion, becoming a global star and the French national reference taking over from Zidane. He scored four goals in that debut World Cup, a brace against Argentina, and in the final against Croatia, making him the second youngest to do so after Pelé. In Qatar, he did everything for France: he overturned a two-goal deficit against Argentina and scored in extra time, a hat trick not seen in a final since the Englishman Geoff Hurst did it in 1966. Despite his efforts, Argentina lifted the trophy by winning in a penalty shootout. His knee could be a limiting factor in this tournament, as it has been during his season at Real Madrid. He was the La Liga's top scorer with 25 goals and scored a total of 42.
Among all the stars, Vinicius has the least experience. Ancelotti knows how to handle the Brazilian, who is entering his second World Cup after being eliminated in the quarter-finals with Croatia on penalties and returning from Qatar with just one goal. His stature has grown since then, both on the field and for speaking out against racism campaigns in stadiums. The latest incident, against Prestianni, will lead to rule changes in this World Cup: covering the mouth with a hand or shirt while addressing an opponent will result in a red card. Despite his unremarkable season with Real Madrid, he aims to lead the attack of a team that needs to wake up, as it has been 24 years and six championships since their last title.
They, along with Lamine Yamal, will lead the main favorites in a World Cup where there will be 22 players under 20 years old. The youngest, at 17 years and 240 days, is Gilberto Mora, a midfielder from Tijuana recruited by Javier Aguirre for Mexico, where Guillermo Ochoa will make history.