Top 5 Worst Players Of The 2022 World Cup: Disappointments!
Alright guys, let's dive into a topic that's always fun (and sometimes a bit controversial): the players who, shall we say, didn't exactly set the World Cup 2022 on fire. We're not talking about bad players, mind you, but players who, given their reputation and expectations, just didn't deliver the goods. This is all subjective, of course, so feel free to disagree, but here’s my take on the top 5 biggest disappointments of the tournament.
1. Lautaro MartĂnez (Argentina)
Oh, Lautaro. So much was expected, so little delivered. Before the tournament, many tipped MartĂnez to be a potential Golden Boot contender. Playing alongside Messi in a team that was heavily favored, the stage was set for him to shine. Instead, he looked a shadow of the player who regularly bangs in goals for Inter Milan. His link-up play was off, his finishing was woeful, and he generally looked out of sync with the rest of the team. Argentina still won the World Cup, but it wasn’t thanks to Lautaro’s contribution. He missed crucial chances, and his confidence seemed to evaporate with each passing game. Julian Alvarez eventually took his place and provided a significant impact, highlighting Lautaro's struggles even further. It's tough to pinpoint exactly what went wrong. Perhaps the pressure got to him, or maybe he just wasn't suited to the specific tactical setup employed by Lionel Scaloni during the group stages. Whatever the reason, Lautaro MartĂnez will likely want to forget his World Cup 2022 experience as quickly as possible.
Let's talk specifics. Lautaro's expected goals (xG) figures were significantly higher than his actual goal tally, indicating a clear problem with his finishing. He often found himself in good positions but failed to convert those opportunities into goals. His first touch also let him down on several occasions, disrupting promising attacks. Furthermore, his work rate off the ball, usually a strong point in his game, seemed to diminish as the tournament progressed. This lack of defensive contribution further compounded his ineffectiveness. In a tournament where fine margins make all the difference, Lautaro's inability to capitalize on key moments proved costly for Argentina, at least until Alvarez stepped up. It's a classic case of a player who couldn't replicate their club form on the biggest stage. Despite Argentina's eventual triumph, Lautaro's underwhelming performances remain a significant talking point and a stark reminder that even the most talented players can struggle under the immense pressure of a World Cup.
2. Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)
Big Rom, what happened? Lukaku's case is a bit different because he was coming back from an injury, but the expectations were still high. He's Belgium's all-time top scorer, and even at less than 100%, many believed he could make a difference. However, his performances were nothing short of disastrous. His cameo against Croatia, in particular, will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. He missed a hatful of clear-cut chances that would have sent Belgium through to the knockout stages. Instead, they crashed out in the group stage, and Lukaku was the scapegoat. It's harsh, but fair. Strikers are judged on their goals, and Lukaku simply didn't deliver. What made his performance even more painful to watch was the sheer simplicity of the missed opportunities. Open goals, close-range headers, simple tap-ins – Lukaku managed to miss them all. It was a shocking display from a player who, at his best, is one of the most lethal finishers in the world.
Adding to the disappointment was the fact that Belgium's golden generation was likely playing its last World Cup together. The likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard were relying on Lukaku to provide the firepower upfront, but he let them down badly. His lack of sharpness and composure in front of goal was evident, and his body language suggested a player lacking in confidence. While injuries undoubtedly played a part in his struggles, Lukaku's overall contribution to the team was far below par. He looked sluggish, his movement was restricted, and he failed to provide the focal point that Belgium desperately needed. The missed chances against Croatia will haunt him for a long time, and they ultimately contributed to Belgium's premature exit from the tournament. It was a sad end to what was supposed to be a glorious chapter in Belgian football history, and Lukaku's poor performances were a major factor in their downfall.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Okay, hear me out. I know Ronaldo is a legend, but let's be honest, this wasn't his finest hour. While he did score a penalty against Ghana, his overall contribution was minimal. He looked off the pace, his link-up play was poor, and he was eventually dropped from the starting lineup. For a player of his stature, being benched in a crucial knockout game speaks volumes. There's no denying Ronaldo's incredible career, but his World Cup 2022 performances suggest that his powers are waning. His presence in the team seemed to disrupt the flow, and Portugal actually looked better and more fluid when he wasn't on the pitch. It's a tough pill to swallow for Ronaldo fans, but the truth is that he wasn't the player he once was.
Furthermore, the constant media attention surrounding Ronaldo and his future club situation created a distraction for the Portuguese team. The focus was often on him rather than the team's overall performance, which can't have been helpful. While his experience and leadership are valuable assets, his on-field contributions simply weren't enough to justify his place in the starting eleven. Gonçalo Ramos' emergence as a goal-scoring threat further highlighted Ronaldo's decline, and Fernando Santos made the bold decision to prioritize the team's needs over sentimentality. It was a difficult but ultimately correct decision, as Portugal looked much more dangerous with Ramos leading the line. Ronaldo's legacy remains intact, but his World Cup 2022 campaign will be remembered as a disappointing end to his international career.
4. Harry Kane (England)
Harry Kane is a world-class striker, no doubt about it. But his World Cup 2022 was a mixed bag, to say the least. He started the tournament slowly, then exploded with a couple of goals against Senegal, but then...that penalty miss against France. That single moment overshadows everything else. It was a crucial moment in the quarter-final, and had he scored, the game would have been very different. Instead, he skied it over the bar, and England crashed out. While it's unfair to judge a player solely on one mistake, the fact remains that Kane, the captain and talisman, missed a penalty that could have changed England's fate. Beyond the penalty miss, Kane didn't quite reach the heights expected of him. He wasn't as sharp or clinical as he usually is, and he didn't have the same impact on games as he did in previous tournaments.
His hold-up play was still excellent, and he contributed with assists, but his primary job is to score goals, and he didn't score enough. The pressure of being England's captain and leading goalscorer seemed to weigh heavily on him, and he didn't quite manage to shake it off. While he showed glimpses of his brilliance, he wasn't able to consistently deliver match-winning performances. The penalty miss will undoubtedly haunt him, but it's important to remember that he is still a fantastic player. However, given his high standards and the expectations placed upon him, his World Cup 2022 campaign has to be considered a disappointment. He will be looking to bounce back strongly in future tournaments and prove that he is still one of the best strikers in the world.
5. Serge Gnabry (Germany)
Germany's entire World Cup campaign was a disaster, so it's hard to single out just one player. But Gnabry, who was expected to be one of their key attacking threats, was particularly disappointing. He looked isolated, lacked creativity, and failed to make any real impact on games. His performances were a far cry from what we've seen from him at Bayern Munich. He seemed to struggle with the tactical setup and failed to form a cohesive partnership with his fellow attackers. Germany's early exit from the tournament was a major shock, and Gnabry's lack of contribution was a significant factor in their downfall.
He wasn't able to create chances for himself or his teammates, and he often made poor decisions in the final third. His dribbling and crossing, usually strong points in his game, were also below par. He looked short of confidence and struggled to impose himself on opposing defenders. While the entire German team underperformed, Gnabry's lack of impact was particularly noticeable, given his reputation as a dangerous and prolific attacker. He will need to rediscover his form quickly if he wants to remain a key player for both Bayern Munich and the German national team. The World Cup 2022 was a harsh lesson for Gnabry, and he will be determined to learn from his mistakes and come back stronger in the future. This is a sentiment that goes for most of this list, they are all incredibly talented players, but simply didn't perform when it mattered most at the World Cup.
So there you have it, my take on the top 5 biggest disappointments of the World Cup 2022. Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments!
