It’s officially time to start looking ahead. With 2021 finally coming to an end, here are five things we expect to happen in world soccer in 2022.
Italy misses 2nd straight World Cup
Not even a year after winning Euro 2020, Italy will have to grapple with the harsh and unexpected reality of missing the World Cup for the second time in a row. The misfiring Azzurri, whose existential crisis in attack cost them an automatic berth in Qatar, will fall to Portugal in the playoff final; manager Roberto Mancini, who guaranteed qualification, will resign.
It will be a crushing and cruel end to a hopeful cycle under Mancini. Italy did so well relaunching its program, trusting the country’s youngest talent to guide it back to the promised land. But winning the Euro brought about the same complacency that caused it to crumble to Sweden in the 2018 World Cup playoffs.
Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci will retire, paving the way for the next crop of defenders to step up; Italy’s FA will convince Antonio Conte to leave Tottenham Hotspur and return to the national team at the end of the 2021-22 season.
Manchester City finally win Champions League
Pep Guardiola will finally win the Champions League with Manchester City. They’ll beat his former rival, Real Madrid, in a tense final to complete the double, as City will run away with their fourth Premier League title in five years.
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Early season concerns over City’s production up front will end up looking foolish. The club will lead all Champions League and Premier League clubs in scoring, with Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne coming to the fore in the second half of the season.
Guardiola will call it the greatest achievement of his career and City will end up commissioning a statue in his likeness to stand in front of the Etihad Stadium for eternity.
Haaland joins City from Dortmund
The huge windfall from the Champions League will give City the financial wherewithal to sign Erling Haaland in the summer. Haaland will announce his decision on social media, much like Eden Hazard did when he joined Chelsea from Lille in May 2012. Haaland will rave about joining his “childhood club.” City will reveal a touching video of the Norwegian playing alongside father and former City midfielder Alf-Inge at the club’s old Maine Road stadium.
Haaland will be an instant success in the Premier League and win the Golden Boot with close to 30 goals over his first season in the English top flight. City will become the fourth team in Premier League history to break the 100-goal mark en route to another title.
Real Madrid sign Mbappe on free transfer
Real Madrid will respond by signing Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. Mbappe will become the highest earner in football history as a result of the move, and Hazard will give up No. 7 so Mbappe can launch his new brand. He will have the highest-selling jersey in the sport’s history.
The Frenchman will line up alongside compatriot Karim Benzema and Brazilian star Vinicius Junior, completing the most fearsome triumvirate since the days of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar. Mbappe will narrowly beat out Haaland for the first Ballon d’Or of his career.
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PSG will put up a huge fight and accuse Madrid of tampering in a dispute that will last several months and end up in court. But the Spanish side will be exonerated of all accusations.
Messi lifts World Cup with Argentina
At long last, Messi will cement his status as the greatest of all time by winning the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar. Coming off the most disappointing season of his career, Messi will snap back into form and inspire his country as the tournament’s top scorer.
Much like Italy at the Euros, Argentina will roar back from the precipice of disaster to win the World Cup for the third time. La Albiceleste will also extend their unbeaten run to three years and counting, with Messi saving his best football for the international scene.
Argentina will exact revenge over Germany in the final, having lost to Die Mannschaft in 2014 at the Maracana.
With 2021 coming to a close, it’s time to celebrate the best that men’s soccer had to offer over the past 12 months of riveting club and international action. Below, we count down the top 10 footballers of the year.
Honorable mentions: N’Golo Kante (Chelsea), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Joao Cancelo (Manchester City), Pedri (Barcelona)
10. Romelu Lukaku
Club: Chelsea | Age: 28 | Position: Striker
Lukaku restored his place among the game’s best strikers in 2021, leading Inter Milan to their first Serie A title in a decade with 24 goals and 11 assists in the Italian top flight. To put that into perspective, only one other Serie A player reached double digits in both categories last season. But Lukaku was the entire package, leaving defenders for dead on the counterattack, crossing in balls from out wide, holding up play with immovable strength, and plundering the penalty area for goals. Chelsea paid £97.5 million to re-sign the Belgian star in the summer, making him the second-most expensive signing in Premier League history.
9. Cristiano Ronaldo
Chloe Knott – Danehouse / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Club: Manchester United | Age: 36 | Position: Forward
While debate rages about his ability to play in a pressing system and whether or not Manchester United were misguided in signing him, Ronaldo simply continues to deliver goals and rack up accolades. The Portuguese forward broke numerous records in 2021, including becoming the all-time leading scorer in men’s international football. He’s undeniably – and understandably – a lesser force than he was at his peak, but Ronaldo still finds the net with frightening frequency. The top scorer in Serie A last season, he’s already reached double figures in just 19 matches since rejoining the Red Devils. Say what you will, but he can still produce, particularly in key moments.
8. Ruben Dias
Club: Manchester City | Age: 24 | Position: Center-back
There was a sense of desperation in how Manchester City signed Dias two days after a 5-2 home defeat to Leicester City early in the 2020-21 campaign, but the Portuguese defender had a transformative effect on Pep Guardiola’s side. He helped City to 15 clean sheets in his 32 Premier League appearances, led the top flight in blocked shots and clearances, and completed the second-most passes in the division. He’s simply obsessed with the art of defending. “It gives me pleasure to make the other team feel powerless,” Dias said in January.
7. Mohamed Salah
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Club: Liverpool | Age: 29 | Position: Forward
Salah isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. After being labeled by some as a one-season wonder, the Liverpool star came roaring back this year. He scored at a rate similar to his record-breaking 2017-18 campaign when he broke Alan Shearer’s single-season scoring record. Despite a dip in goals after setting the new Premier League mark, the Egyptian king has re-established himself as one of the world’s best players this term by netting a league-leading 15 goals in 19 matches.
Haaland has set lofty standards for himself. He scored two or more goals on 18 occasions in 2021, finishing the year with 41 in 43 appearances in all competitions for Borussia Dortmund. He’s averaging nearly a goal per game, and he’s doing it on a team that’s struggled to compete both domestically and in Europe. He’s the true heir to Ronaldo’s throne, a throwback center-forward with a singular focus and ruthless efficiency in front of goal. Haaland’s served his apprenticeship and is looking as ready as ever to make the leap to megastardom.
5. Kylian Mbappe
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Club: Paris Saint-Germain | Age: 23 | Position: Forward
Some players would’ve struggled to pick themselves up after such a disappointment. Mbappe wasted two big chances in extra time before he missed the decisive penalty in France’s shootout defeat to Switzerland at the European Championship. But he ensured that was merely a blip as he racked up 49 goals and 22 assists over 66 matches for club and country in 2021. Mbappe finishes the year as a more mature player and appears destined for a huge move to Real Madrid in the summer.
4. Jorginho
Club: Chelsea | Age: 30 | Position: Midfielder
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Yes, Jorginho is an excellent penalty taker. He converted 12-of-14 spot-kicks in 2021 and turned in the deciding penalty kick in Italy’s shootout win over Spain at Euro 2020. Yes, he’s an excellent passer, but he isn’t Gareth Barry with penalty-taking prowess. Jorginho protects the backline and kick-starts sweeping moves that result in goals. He anchored Chelsea’s midfield this year, particularly when N’Golo Kante was out injured, and won the Champions League title a month before winning the Euros with Italy. Jorginho wasn’t a passenger, either, having played an astounding 73 times for club and country in 2021.
3. Karim Benzema
Helios de la Rubia / Real Madrid / Getty
Club: Real Madrid | Age: 34 | Position: Striker
Now that Benzema is out from under Ronaldo’s shadow, the Real Madrid forward is finally getting the recognition he deserves. After playing a prominent role in Real Madrid’s push to win La Liga last season, France manager Didier Deschamps surprisingly rewarded the 34-year-old with his first call-up in years. The prolific striker finished behind Lionel Messi in scoring in each of the last three seasons, but Benzema appears on his way to picking up his first La Liga scoring title after more than a decade in Madrid.
2. Lionel Messi
Club: Paris Saint-Germain | Age: 34 | Position: Forward
Messi hasn’t hit the dizzying highs we’re accustomed to since his sensational move to Paris Saint-Germain – just give it some time – but don’t let that obscure what was yet another exquisite year for the iconic Argentine. He led his country to a Copa America triumph, finally getting that King Kong-sized weight off his back, and extended his own record by capturing a seventh – if contentious – Ballon d’Or. He was the top scorer in La Liga last season, holding together an otherwise rotten Barcelona team that relied on him to do everything; it’s no coincidence Barca has totally fallen apart in his absence. Leading that hopeless side to a Copa del Rey title should have been impossible, but not for Messi.
1. Robert Lewandowski
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Club: Bayern Munich | Age: 33 | Position: Striker
Lewandowski obliterated numerous records in 2021. He surpassed Gerd Muller’s 49-year-old mark of 40 goals in a single Bundesliga campaign with a 90th-minute tap-in on the final day of the 2020-21 season. Lewandowski then demonstrated his continued brilliance by achieving an all-time high of 43 Bundesliga goals in a calendar year. For many, he should’ve beaten Messi to the Ballon d’Or. “I am like good wine, and I hope to become even better,” he warned in September.
With the January transfer window set to open on Saturday, we’re teeing up the wheeling and dealing by presenting 50 high-profile players who could be on the move in the coming weeks.
Note: Estimated transfer values provided by transfermarkt.com.
Having been stripped of the captaincy and routinely left out of the squad for disciplinary breaches, Aubameyang’s time at Arsenal appears to be nearing its end, barring a surprise revival of his relationship with manager Mikel Arteta.
One of many on this list on an expiring contract, Rudiger is in high demand amid an apparent contract standoff with Chelsea. The impending free agent, a stalwart of the Blues’ backline, is drawing serious interest from Real Madrid.
Arsenal are monitoring Calvert-Lewin, who enjoyed the best year of his career last season when he scored 16 league goals. Injuries have derailed his 2021-22 campaign, but when fit, he provides a dominant aerial presence.
Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
Jonathan Moscrop / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Age: 28 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €55M
Another transfer window with Pogba in the spotlight, and at some point, something has to give. The Frenchman’s contract expires in the summer, and he’s given no indication yet that he’ll renew with the Red Devils.
Navigating the murky transfer waters can be extremely tiring. Speculation is rife, and it can sometimes be difficult to track the lineage – and veracity – of certain rumors. Not this one, though. Martial has told Manchester United he wants out.
Unlike the splashy signings we get in the summer window, this would represent a more typical January deal. An impending free agent who can still produce is exactly the kind of short-term solution many clubs are eyeing.
Sterling’s influence at Manchester City has waned somewhat in light of Jack Grealish’s arrival and the irresistible form of Bernardo Silva. The departure of Ferran Torres creates space, but the Englishman is no longer untouchable.
One of the lone bright spots during an otherwise miserable season for Leeds, the electric Brazilian is again garnering attention across Europe, with the likes of Liverpool and Bayern Munich apparently leading the queue.
It might be time for a change of scenery for Alli. Despite his obvious skills, the Englishman’s career has stagnated badly since 2018, when he looked set for stardom. Perhaps Antonio Conte can reignite the 25-year-old?
Ever since Felix joined Atletico Madrid for €126 million in 2019, his fit there just hasn’t seemed right. That still rings true; the Portuguese phenom has started four league games this season under defensive-minded boss Diego Simeone.
A return to England could be in the cards for Trippier, who, despite retaining his place as Atletico’s starting right-back, has engaged in the holy grail of transfer speculation: liking social media posts involving other clubs.
Barcelona would love to rid themselves of Coutinho, who has become an albatross at the Camp Nou. Of all the questionable signings that have plunged the club into financial ruin in recent years, his is among the most glaring.
Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona)
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Age: 24 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €90M
Once viewed as a cornerstone for the future, de Jong’s untouchable status has deteriorated through no real fault of his own. He’s yet to fully settle under Xavi, and suddenly has lots of young, Spanish competition in midfield.
Your semi-annual reminder that, yes, Bale is still technically on the books at Real Madrid. At this point, it’s in name only. The Welsh veteran has made only three appearances in La Liga this season.
Few transfers have failed as spectacularly as Hazard’s move to Real Madrid. Since arriving in Spain, the former Chelsea star has spent more time on the treatment table than on the pitch and has quickly fallen down the pecking order.
Kounde’s a perennial presence on lists just like this and has long been a target for Chelsea, who could finally make a definitive move for the French defender to insure themselves against the potential departure of Rudiger.
Serie A
Franck Kessie (AC Milan)
MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP / Getty
Age: 25 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €48M
Until he puts pen to paper on a new contract with AC Milan, Kessie will continue to be a central figure in the January window. After watching Gianluigi Donnarumma leave for free last summer, the Rossoneri can’t afford a repeat.
Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe probably aren’t moving in January, which makes Vlahovic the prize of the upcoming window. But Fiorentina won’t allow their crown jewel to leave for anything less than a small fortune, if at all.
Arturo Vidal (Inter Milan)
Age: 34 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €2.5M
Once an all-conquering midfield dynamo, Vidal’s influence has understandably diminished as he approaches the twilight of his career. The Chilean seems primed for a return to South America at some point.
Arthur Melo (Juventus)
Age: 25 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €25M
Arthur has never quite established himself since arriving in Turin as part of the dubious – and potentially illegal – swap involving Miralem Pjanic. The Brazilian midfielder could seek a loan to garner more playing time.
Another player who hasn’t consistently hit the heights expected since his celebrated move to Juventus, the precocious Swede is apparently a transfer candidate should a suitable offer arrive. At only 21, he still has time to grow.
Aaron Ramsey (Juventus)
Age: 31 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €5M
Whether Juventus find a buyer or ultimately have to terminate Ramsey’s contract, it seems almost certain that the Welshman won’t be with the club come February. Injuries have completely torpedoed his time in Italy.
Luis Alberto (Lazio)
Age: 29 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €32M
Despite Maurizio Sarri’s insistence to the contrary, rumors of a disconnect between the manager and Spanish playmaker persist. The crafty midfielder continues to be one of Europe’s most underrated creative forces.
Another soon-to-be free agent, Insigne wants a new contract, but the pint-sized star and Napoli are at odds over his valuation. Toronto FC are reportedly keeping tabs on the Italian, who’s still more than capable of dazzling.
Torino mismanaged this one; the club missed its big chance to cash in after Belotti’s monstrous 2016-17 season. The 28-year-old is now an impending free agent who hasn’t scored more than 16 league goals since that campaign.
One of Italy’s rising young stars, the unorthodox Scamacca combines a tall, powerful frame with good ball skills and a penchant for spectacular goals. His feisty demeanor and ability to rile opposing defenders doesn’t hurt, either.
Any move for Wirtz is likely to materialize in the summer, but Europe’s heavy hitters would be wise to get an early jump on their peers. Competition for the teen sensation’s signature is going to be extremely fierce.
Bayern Munich director Hasan Salihamidzic said in November that talks over Sule’s new contract are “not easy.” That must have been music to the ears of every club in the market for a dominant center-back in his prime.
The mystical €75-million release clause, which reportedly becomes valid in June, is hanging over Dortmund. Sell now for twice that amount, or fight to convince notorious agent Mino Raiola that Haaland should stay long term?
Similar to Cavani, who we mentioned above, Witsel would likely be a stopgap solution for any January suitors. Dortmund are seemingly willing to part with the veteran midfielder should an offer come in.
Zakaria’s name is one of the hottest in the buildup to the transfer window. If the Swiss international desires a move away from Borussia Monchengladbach in the coming weeks, he has several enticing options across Europe.
Amadou Haidara (RB Leipzig)
Age: 23 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €24M
This one is a matter of connecting the dots. Manchester United need help in midfield – the time for giving Nemanja Matic important minutes is over – and Ralf Rangnick knows Haidara from his Red Bull days. Hence, the speculation.
One of the star performers in the Champions League group stage – even if RB Leipzig were underwhelming as a whole – Nkunku catapulted himself into contention for a January move. United and Liverpool are in the mix.
Ligue 1
Aurelien Tchouameni (AS Monaco)
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Age: 21 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €40M
The next great product of AS Monaco’s famed talent incubator? Tchouameni is perhaps the most desired young midfielder in Europe at the moment, with suitors throughout the continent ready to battle for his signature.
It’s just a matter of when, not if, Botman departs Lille at this point. In the wake of Simon Kjaer’s knee injury, AC Milan are being heavily tipped with a January move for the impressive Dutch defender, who is also of interest to Newcastle United.
Fiorentina are reportedly on the verge of closing a deal for Ikone that will net Lille an initial €15 million. If finalized, the Frenchman would provide another exciting attacking piece in support of Vlahovic – should the latter stick around.
Renato Sanches (Lille)
Age: 24 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €30M
Sanches has done well to revitalize his career after a tough spell at Bayern Munich temporarily derailed his rise. In a hilarious twist, the Bavarian giants are apparently considering re-signing the energetic Portuguese midfielder.
Versatility within your squad, especially in the COVID-19 world of congested schedules and overworked players, is crucial. That’s partly why Kamara, who can play both in midfield and at center-back, is so enticing.
Should it get to that point this summer, Mbappe would arguably be the most exciting free agent in the history of the sport. Real Madrid appear to be the inevitable landing spot, so it’s just a matter of when and for how much.
Paris Saint-Germain look destined to take a significant loss on Icardi eventually, but the uber-rich club is one of the few that can likely withstand the financial hit – even if the pandemic has lightened the coffers.
Georginio Wijnaldum (Paris Saint-Germain)
Age: 31 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €25M
Wijnaldum has made 16 appearances in Ligue 1, but he’s only started nine of those matches. He also went public earlier in the season with his disappointment over a lack of action since joining the club from Liverpool as a free agent.
Mazraoui is in an interesting position going into January. A free agent this summer, he needs to weigh a potential move now against the prospect of finishing the season with an Ajax side capable of winning multiple titles.
All the usual suspects are being linked to Nunez, a combative Uruguayan striker who has an alluring combination of top-line speed and strength that can cause all kinds of problems for defenders.
Mid-table Premier League clubs are on high alert right now watching Blackburn. The blossoming Chilean striker has been on fire in the Championship this season, registering 19 goals in 23 matches.
With Lucas Digne seemingly falling out of favor with manager Rafa Benitez, Everton have been on the hunt for a new left-back. They appear to be closing in on Mykolenko, who profiles as a better defensive fit than the Frenchman.
After a breakthrough year for club and country, Pepi and FC Dallas are reportedly in talks with Wolfsburg over a transfer. If it materializes, the teenager would be the latest young American to make the leap to Germany.
Watching the dynamic Colombian wreak havoc on opposing defenders, it’s no wonder the likes of Liverpool are intrigued at the prospect of signing the Porto winger. If he does move, rival full-backs will be in danger of getting posterized.
A breakout showing in the Champions League rocketed Adeyemi to the top of many wishlists across Europe. The latest explosive German teenager to come through Red Bull’s vaunted pipeline will soon generate a bidding war.
Billed as the next star to come out of Argentina, Alvarez has already made waves at home; Europe is next. He could wait until the summer, though, to avoid sitting on the bench and putting his place in Argentina’s squad at risk.
Christian Eriksen (free agent)
Age: 29 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: N/A
Unable to play in Italy due to the implantable cardioverter defibrillator placed in his chest after Euro 2020, Eriksen was released by Inter Milan. It was a mutual move that allows him to hopefully continue his career elsewhere.
