Valverde, Williams And 5 La Liga Stars Whose Value Should Rise In Qatar

The upcoming World Cup brings excitement, intrigue and controversy. Viewers will be interested to see how players perform mid-way through a league season, whether the conditions benefit select teams and if a non-European country wins the trophy for the first time since Brazil in 2002. And then there is host Qatar and how it will respond to heavy criticism shouldered ahead of the month-long tournament, which runs from November 20 to December 18.

Another point of interest is how this edition, like any other, provides an opportunity for some eye-catching players to make the next jump in their soccer journeys. Some of them, such as likely World Cup debutants Pedri and Gavi, will turn out for Spain. And there are other La Liga players on track to feature.

Below are some Spain-based top-flight players—excluding Spaniards—for whom a good showing could set their career alight as the world watches on. That is assuming they avoid injury and make their nation’s final squad.

Federico Valverde (Uruguay)

Karim Benzema has claimed his first—and deserved—Ballon D’Or accolade. And it won’t be long before his teammate Federico Valverde is in the mix for the same honor if his Real Madrid form continues. In this competition, the acid test will be whether Valverde—in his maiden World Cup—can carry Uruguay, which has the ingredients to be dark horses for the top prize. Approaching his peak years, and with the European market as moneyed as it is, he will cost any side around the €100 million ($98 million) mark in future off-seasons. That’s if Real even contemplates selling him. The 24-year-old cost Los Blancos no more than €5 million ($5 million) in transfer spend six years back. Able to carry the ball forward and score spectacularly from range, his worth is multiplying by the game, and an impressive showing will see his stock rise even higher.

Iñaki Williams (Ghana)

Before he was born, Iñaki Williams’ parents heroically traversed barefoot across the Sahara desert to build a life in northern Spain. Now the striker, alongside his brother Nico, is a constant goalscoring threat for his hometown side Athletic Club and will attempt to be the same with Ghana. Williams has played more games across all levels for Spain than for the African nation but has finally pledged his international allegiance. He has two senior appearances for his chosen country and recently made it to game 350 for Athletic at Getafe, a game in which he scored. Aged 28, Williams is as pacy as ever and at the peak of his powers. Regarding outside interest, he will cost a lot to prise away from his club—especially with a good tournament under his belt—and his history with Athletic suggests he will likely stay on.

Eduardo Camavinga (France)

Injured Paul Pogba’s predicted absence presents Eduardo Camavinga with a chance to take the reins in midfield for France. By all accounts, he seems ready despite approaching only his first World Cup. With a charismatic online presence, Camavinga has become a prominent public figure since joining Los Blancos and is one of the favorites to feature in Les Bleus’ midfield come showtime. Despite saying his right foot leaves something to be desired, Camavinga is the real deal, unfazed and comfortable on the ball. And propelling tournament holder France to more glory would see his market value skyrocket. France is usually hit-and-miss at big competitions—depending on the camaraderie in the squad—meaning this tournament will reveal a lot about him and the current crop, including teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni.

Takefusa Kubo (Japan)

Jon Ander Ulazia, the CEO of second division Eibar, once informed me about the “Takefusa Kubo phenomenon,” highlighting how highly executives and coaches in Spain rate the 21-year-old. Asian players, and successful ones at that, are not only weapons on the pitch but help raise their teams’ international reach. Competing for minutes at Real Sociedad, Kubo has represented no fewer than five La Liga clubs, despite not playing competitively for Real Madrid. His technical ability makes up for a slight frame, and—if provided space to operate in a patient and creative Japan side—he will give Spain and Germany headaches in an intriguing Group F. This opportunity could be his making.

Awer Mabil (Australia)

Before making it in Australia and Europe, Cádiz winger Awer Mabil lived in a refugee camp in Kenya. His leap across the world and back to become a professional is, in itself, a story. And despite not being a household name, his pace will be invaluable to Australia, whose attacking verve is not at its most potent ahead of a fifth consecutive World Cup. Mabil is not prolific, but an impact in Qatar could put the 27-year-old in the shop window for one more notable career move or place him firmly on a soccer map he has traveled far and wide. A useful attacking option, he’s proud to be the one Australian in the Spanish top tier.

Abde Ezzalzouli (Morocco)

Barcelona’s decision to loan out Abde Ezzalzouli is evidence that, for all his talent, he is not ready to help carry the side forward. And at high-flying Osasuna, he’s often an option from the bench. Nevertheless, if Morocco decides to include the winger—who turns 21 on the eve of the final—in its squad, his speed and directness could be a good weapon against Belgium, Canada and Croatia late on in matches. It only takes one game, or one moment, for a developing player to fully announce himself and attract the attention of other clubs. His offensive dynamism gives him as good a chance as anyone, even if it’s only in a brief cameo.

Gonzalo Plata (Ecuador)

A winger for lowly Real Valladolid, Gonzalo Plata does not seem the one to dazzle at a World Cup. For his international side, though, he’s a youthful and trusted bet in the front line. The energy and atmosphere buoying Qatar in the competition’s first game will play into its hands. But the better soccer team is its first opponent Ecuador—whose presence at the tournament has angered absentee Chile due to its inclusion of Byron Castillo, who it believes should have represented Colombia. Yet these are merely distractions to a 21-year-old whose recognition will increase if Ecuador escapes Group A. He’s jinky on the ball and well-suited to La Liga, though he has also reportedly attracted the riches of the Premier League and Leeds United.