With the World Cup only days away, it's time to keep up with some more predictions. The World Cup has long been known as a maker of stars in the soccer world. Names of the gods of football like Pele and Maradona have started and cemented their legend on the biggest stage the globe knows. So, let's look at five players who could burst into household names over the next month and begin life among football's elite!
1. Edson Buddle-F-United States
-If the United States is going to advance, no one player might be more influential than the journeyman striker from the MLS L.A. Galaxy. Sure players like Howard, Dempsey, and Donovan will play at their typically high level. But, with the more-favored Jozy Altidore struggling with injury, it could be Buddle's turn to shine. It might be late in the 29-year old's career to be considered a potential breakout star, but he did score two goals in the last U.S. friendly against Australia. Oddly enough, Buddle has credited David Beckham in helping him transform from lazy journeyman to MLS leading scorer. If he continues to find form at the World Cup, more than just the most hardcore MLS fans will know the man named after Pele.
2. Jong Tae-Se-F-North Korea
-What better chance for the man known as "Asian Wayne Rooney" to break through than at the World Cup, especially playing for North Korea. But, the mystery that shrouds the rest of the North Korean side isn't necessarily true for Tae-Se. He's the only North Korean footballer who plays outside his home country, in Japan. In his native South Korea, he is still beloved, even though he plays for the North Koreans, largely due to his outgoing personality and relentlessness on the pitch. He's scored 3 times in friendlies against Greece and Nigeria recently and could burst onto the world stage if he helps North Korea get any results in the Group of Death.
3. Marek Hamsik-M-Slovakia
-Hamsik is already the star of the Slovakian national team at the tender age of 22 as an attacking midfielder. Not only that, he's recently been appointed as his national team captain...hopefully he doesn't follow the lead of other WC captains like John Terry, but that's another issue. Hamsik plies his trade for Napoli in Italian Serie A where he is one of the top playmakers in the league, scoring 12 goals over the last season. He'll be leaned on heavily for the tiny nation to make any noise at this year's World Cup.
4. Mesut Ozil-M-Germany
-Anyone counting out the Germans after losing captain Michael Ballack should be weary, in part to the introduction of the 21 year old Ozil. While the Germans are traditionally a hard-working if low-scoring side, Ozil brings the type of flair and creativity necessary for success in the modern game. He's scored 11 times for Werder Bremen this past season in the Bundesliga and led the German Under-21 side to the European Championship last spring. Certainly, leading the Germans deep into the tournament could put Ozil front and center as an emerging star.
5. Javier Hernandez/Carlos Vela-F-Mexico
-Finally, a pair of Mexican strikers from the Premier League round out our players to watch at this year's World Cup. El Tri is usually full of attacking flair, and the young duo of Hernandez (22 years old) and Vela (21 years old) should find plenty of opportunities to find the back of the net. While Vela has been underused at Arsenal and Hernandez (nicknamed Chicharito) has just signed with Manchester United this summer, they could become much more well-known, in England especially, if they are at the front of the high-powered Mexican attack.
We'll be back tomorrow with our semifinal predictions for the World Cup and stay with us for more coverage of the NHL and NBA Finals. Until then, it's bye for now!
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