While World Cup expectations can vary from country to country and player to player, every individual who puts on his national team jersey feels pressure to perform for his country.
In spite of this, there are some generational talents who will be responsible for carrying the hopes of an entire nation this summer. Here's a list of the players under the most pressure for Russia 2018.
Players Facing Greatest World Cup Expectations
Mohamed Salah - 25 - Egypt
Following his injury in the Champions League Final the Egyptian star was not selected for the Pharoahs’ opener against Uruguay, the odds-on favorite to win Group A.
Upon his return, when it comes, Salah will carry the weight of the nation on his shoulder as he is far and away the most talented player on the roster. Most people won’t predict much more from Egypt than a Round-of-16 appearance, but Salah has the ability to carry this team on a deep run. He scored the goal that got them to Russia and the team will only go as he goes.
What happens if Salah falls flat? It’s hard to see the Pharaohs making it out of the group stage. No pressure Mo.
Paul Pogba - 25 - France
One year, you’re the world’s most expensive transfer ever. Fast forward two years and 73 percent of fans want you to be on the bench for your nation’s opening World Cup match. Such is the life of Paul Pogba, who has faced loads of criticism for his lack of quality and consistency since coming to Manchester United.
Still only 25, a stellar showing at the World Cup would go a long way toward silencing critics and helping Pogba rediscover the brilliance that made him a star at Juventus. A disappointing performance in Russia will add to the list of growing complaints people have.
Queue the comments about him being too focused on his haircuts and celebrations. France has the talent to go far in this tournament but Les Bleus will need brilliance from Pogba if they hope to wrestle away the trophy from the Germans.
Neymar - 26 - Brazil
Neymar’s career can be defined as one long road with immense pressure along the entire journey. He played his first game for Santos when he was only 17.
He moved to Paris last summer for a world-record fee, where only a Champions League victory would justify the move and prove him worthy of Ballon D’or consideration. At 22, he was tasked with leading Brazil back to world glory on home soil almost single-handedly holding the hopes of a nation. That quest was cut short by injury and followed up by a 7-1 drubbing at the hands of the Germans.
Only a World Cup title in Russia will heal the wounds from four years back and you can bet all eyes will be on Neymar to guide that charge.
Lionel Messi - 30 (31 on June 24th) - Argentina
Didn’t see this one coming, did you? Some will tell you he’s the greatest player of all time while others will tell you he isn’t even the best from his country. The argument is plain and simple for many: Maradona has won a World Cup and Lionel Messi hasn’t.
La Pulga is facing the most pressure of any player at this year’s tournament, chasing the ever-elusive international trophy. We all remember the image of Messi looking longingly at the trophy four years ago (above), knowing he had just missed out by the narrowest of margins. Back-to-back defeats in Copa America finals mean Messi remains trophy-less with his home country.
It’s win or bust for the crafty Argentine and you can bet that if this team wins, it will be a result of Leo’s brilliance.
Luis Suarez - 31 - Uruguay
Luis Suarez will be facing a slightly different type of attention from the other players on this list. Yes he will feel pressed to lead Uruguay to success, but they were placed in one of the easier groups in Russia and he’ll have Edinson Cavani by his side to help shoulder the load.
The pressure will be less about his play and more about his antics. Most people will remember Suarez’s game deciding handball in the 2010 quarterfinals to send Uruguay to the semis and his bite on Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini in the 2014 edition of the tournament.
It’s actions like these that can often detract from the Barcelona man’s high level of play. Suarez’s every move will be watched in Russia and viewer’s will be anxious to see if he can prove he’s matured since Brazil. He's not off to a great start.
Harry Kane - 24 - England
30, 29, 25. That’s how many goals the Tottenham man has scored in each of his last three Premier League seasons. If it weren’t for the sublime season from the previously mentioned Mo Salah, Kane would have secured his third straight EPL Golden Boot this year.
Expectations are always high for the Brits in major tournaments, but the Three Lions have also struggled when the lights shine the brightest. Expectations this year are no different as the squad is full of stars. Harry Kane will be at the center of attention and England will need a big tournament from him if they hope to shake off the ghosts from past tournaments.
After posting zero goals and zero assists in the European Championship two years ago, Kane will hope he can bring his Tottenham form with him to Russia.
Julian Brandt - 22 - Germany
Have you heard of Julian Brandt before? Depends on how closely you follow soccer, but nobody would debate the fact that he isn’t the household name that many of these other players are.
Brandt’s pressure is rooted mostly in his inclusion in the German squad ahead of PFA Young Player of the Year and Manchester City star Leroy Sane. One could argue that this decision means the pressure falls more on coach, Joachim Löw, but if Germany fails to repeat as champions and Julian Brandt struggles in Russia, you can bet that many supporters will question Brandt’s inclusion in the team.
Hirving “Chucky” Lozano - 22 - Mexico
In each of the past six World Cups, Mexico has been knocked out in the Round of 16 and it is certainly hoping to avoid reaching the “lucky” number seven. The player who could have the biggest say in whether or not that happens is the up and coming star Hirving “Chucky” Lozano.
The PSV man is being tabbed as a potential breakout star for this year’s tournament and a quick Google search of “Chucky Lozano Highlights” shows exactly why. Fans of El Tri can only hope that he will be as good as advertised and finally help this team break the curse.
Roberto Martinez - 44 - Belgium
We know he isn’t a player so he doesn’t technically count for this list but we felt the need to include someone from Belgium and, frankly, it has be Martinez.
This is Belgium’s golden generation: Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens, Michy Batshuayi, Jan Vertonghen, Thibaut Courtois … the list keeps going. On paper, this is one of the most talented teams in the tournament, yet it never seems to live up to its potential. They seem out of sync and many point to Martinez as being the reason this team hasn’t been able to click despite their embarssement of riches.
If Belgium fails to reach the final eight (although the final four is a more realistic goal with this squad), expect Martinez to take much of the blame, and most likely be out of a job.
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