Five stars ready to light up the World Cup
France's Kylian Mbappe could break the all-time record for World Cup goals (FRANCK FIFE) Form and fitness concerns are hanging over some of football's biggest names just three weeks before the World Cup kicks off. AFP sports looks at five of the stars who must shoulder the burden of their nations' expectation in the first-ever 48-team finals spread across the United States, Mexico and Canada: Kylian Mbappe (France) Mbappe could become the all-time top goalscorer in World Cup history over the next few weeks, but will cross the Atlantic after a troubled time at Real Madrid. The 27-year-old is yet to win a major trophy in two seasons at the Spanish giants despite his prolific goalscoring record.
Mbappe's commitment has been questioned after he went on holiday while nursing a hamstring injury towards the end of the season. A change of scenery on the international stage could be just what he needs as he aims to write more history on the global stage. Mbappe took the tournament by storm as a teenager in France's 2018 World Cup win.
He plundered another eight goals, including a hat-trick in the final, as Les Bleus missed out on penalties to Argentina four years ago. He needs just four more to match Miroslav Klose's record of 16 World Cup goals. Erling Haaland (Norway) Haaland finally gets his first taste of a major international tournament after ending Norway's 28-year wait to reach the World Cup.
The Manchester City striker struck 16 times in eight games during Norway's flawless qualifying campaign that included two thrashings of Italy. That took his tally to a remarkable 55 goals in 49 international appearances. Haaland is the poster boy for a golden generation of Norwegian players, including Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, that have been tipped as dark horses.
But Norway will need their star striker in top form after being handed a tough draw alongside France and African champions Senegal in Group I. Vinicius Junior (Brazil) Neymar's return to the Brazil squad has caught the imagination, but it is Vincius' performance that will likely determine whether Carlo Ancelotti's men end up with a sixth star on the famous yellow jersey. He and Mbappe have had to share the spotlight in Madrid, but the World Cup gives Vinicius the chance to become a national hero in Brazil and win the Ballon d'Or he craves.