In the early game, France’s Paul Pogba believes he’s the man in the middle, when he’s in more of a muddle. He’s a leader in the mind, but not on the pitch. Antoine Griezmann are Kylian Mbappe are expected to take the battle to Australia, but Pogba desperately needs to step up in a major tournament. The Manchester United midfielder must escape the shadow of his celebrity and deliver where it matters.
The limelight has never been a problem for Lionel Messi. He’s the greatest of all time, but he can look like a GOAT surrounded by sheep. In the second game, Argentina face Iceland, but the South Americans’ greatest enemies are the numbers on their birth certificates. Messi may feel like a man playing Chinese checkers on an HDB void deck; he’s trying to play his game surrounded by much older men.
At 26, Christian Eriksen doesn’t have that problem. An intelligent attacking midfielder, the great Dane will run out against Peru in the third game. Eriksen endured an anti-climatic club season with Tottenham, but should fancy his chances of an opening victory as Denmark seek a second-placed finish in Group D.
And finally, the understated little magician, Luka Modric, will attempt to steer Croatia past Nigeria in the final game of a packed night. The quiet Croat played a pivotal, occasionally overlooked, role in driving Real Madrid to Champions League glory and will take on similar duties against the Africans.
Modric, Eriksen, Messi and Pogba have different qualities, but an identical challenge. They must bear the burden of a nation’s hopes. Their respective countries will struggle to progress without them.
Neil Humphreys
Singapore’s best selling author and Football columnist
