The year 2024 is here and it promises to be a great year for football fans. While it will be a year where most future stars are expected to come to their own, many experienced players are in the twilight stage of their careers, while some are preparing for their last dance on the big stage. In this article, we will take a look at some of the footballers to look out for this year.
Young footballers to look out for
Since the past couple of years, many clubs’ academies have produced impressive young players. These young players include La Masia’s Gavi, Jamal Musiala, Eduardo Camavinga, Youssoufa Moukoko, Alejandro Garnacho and many more. Among these players, two players who could take the footballing World by small in the coming year or the next few years to come are Bukayo Saka and Pedri.
Bukayo Saka
22-year-old Bukayo Saka has been one of the most impressive U-25 players in the last few seasons. The English winger has won the England Men’s Player of the Year award for two consecutive seasons in 2021-22 and 2022-23. With Arsenal, Saka won the Premier League of the Month award earlier this year in March. He was also named in the PFA Team of The Year and Young Player of the Year in 2022-23. Saka has already won the FA Cup (2019-20), FA Community Shield twice (2020 and 2023) and was the UEFA Europa League runner-up (2018-19).
His breakthrough season came in 2019-20 and scored his first goal on the 19th of September in the Europa League. In the same match, against Eintracht Frankfurt with two assists in a 3-0 victory. After Sead Kolašinac and Kieran Tierney were faced with injuries, Saka established himself as a utility player and started playing as a left-back. He crossed double-digits in assists during the season.
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On 1 July 2020, he signed a long-term contract with Arsenal. Three days later, Saka scored his first Premier League goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers. He even became the first player to be born in 2001 to score a goal in the Premier League. In the following two seasons, he was named Arsenal’s Player of the Season and even was the club’s top-scorer in 2021-22 with 12 goals. Saka was a crucial part of Arsenal’s team that was the title challenger in 2022-23.
Pedri
Pedri is one of the many young stars in FC Barcelona (FCB) but unlike others, he did not come from ‘La Masia’. The 21-year-old has become a potent mid-fielder at Barcelona since joining them in July 2020 from Las Palmas. He has already won numerous individual awards as well as trophies. Pedri was named Golden Boy in 2021, won the Kopa Trophy in 2021 and was the second runner-up in 2023. He was named in the UEFA Champions League Breakthrough XI and UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament and won the UEFA European Championship Young Player of the Tournament in 2020. He has been named twice in La Liga’s Team of the Season in 2020-21 and 2021-22. With Spain, he won the silver medal in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. With FCB, the midfielder has won La Liga (2022-23), Copa del Rey (2020-21) and Supercopa de Espana (2022-23).
He made his debut for the club in September and got his first full start in October. His first goal for FC Barcelona came on the 20th of October in his UEFA Champions League debut. He quickly became a regular feature in Barca’s XI and reached his 50th appearance for the club on 8th May 2021 at the age of 18 years and 164 days becoming the second youngest to do so after Bojan Krkic (18 years and 3 days). Later that year in October, Pedri signed a fresh contract with the Spanish giant for a record €1 billion ($1.57 billion) release clause.
Footballers who could retire in 2024
Some of the big names of the past decade will be retiring in 2024. These footballers have been star players for their clubs and countries. Experienced players like Pepe and Luka Modric could well play their last football game this season while some players would be playing their last continental championships (Euros and Copa America).
Pepe
With an illustrious career coming to a slow end, Pepe might just play his last football match in 2024. The centre-back was at the forefront of the defence as Real Madrid went on to win three Champions League titles (2013-14, 2015-16, 2016-17). The 40-year-old experienced defender has been playing top-flight football since the 2001-02 season when he was with Marítimo. He then went to Porto and after spending six years in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, Pepe moved to Real Madrid. At Real Madrid, Pepe won numerous accolades in his stay of 10 seasons before moving to Besiktas and back to Porto.
Pepe won seven league titles (4 with Porto and 3 with Real Madrid). He also won six national cups (4 with Porto and 2 with Real Madrid). With Real Madrid, Pepe won the Champions League in 2013–14, 2015–16 and 2016–17, UEFA Super Cup in 2014, FIFA Club World Cup in 2014 and 2016. His biggest achievement with Portugal came in 2016 when he won the UEFA Euro Championship. He did not just win the championship but was also the Man of the Match in the final against France.
He even won several individual accolades. Pepe was named in the UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament three times in a row in 2008, 2012 and 2016. He was also named in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season in 2013-14.
Guillermo Ochoa
Guillermo Ochoa is one of those who might never be remembered for his performances for his clubs but will always be etched in football fans’ minds for his wall-like goalkeeping for Mexico. Being inspired by Peter Schmeichel, Ochoa has proven to be one of the safest keepers in the football world.
He has made 148 appearances for his national team including playing in three World Cups where he has been the centre of all attention many times.
International Retirement
Luka Modric
Luka Modric is an extremely talented and committed player for Real Madrid as well as his country’s team. As a talented midfielder, the 37-year-old baller is most recognised for his vision and control of the pitch. In 164 international matches, the Croatian captain led the team with 23 goals and showed his leadership abilities. Numerous sources claim that Euro 2024 will be the “last dance” for the legendary Croatian player, who plans to retire at the age of 39.
Olivier Giroud
After Euro 2024, Olivier Giroud has made suggestions that he would hang up his boots. He refers to this tournament as the “missing” trophy in his collection. The forward was closely monitoring the Euro 2024 draw, which took place in Hamburg. France was placed in Group D, together with Austria, the Netherlands, and the winner of the playoffs (a combination of Poland, Wales, Finland, and Estonia). It is one of the competitions that Giroud has not yet won in his remarkable career, and the 37-year-old promised to do everything in his power to place on the podium in Berlin on July 14. The former Arsenal striker stated that he is thinking about hanging up his boots after the continental tournament, so it may be a historic game for him.
Angel Di Maria
After the Copa America tournament in the summer of next year, Angel Di Maria has announced that he will no longer be playing for the Argentina national team.
The 35-year-old announced his plans on social media with a statement. After making his debut for his country in 2008, Di Maria went on to win gold in the Olympics, the Copa America, and the World Cup with La Albiceleste. After the competition in the United States, he will bid farewell to the national squad, having earned well over 100 caps.
The 35-year-old sent a statement on social media to reveal his plans. Following his 2008 national team debut, Di Maria went on to represent La Albiceleste in the Olympics, Copa America, and World Cup, winning gold each time. Having accumulated well over 100 caps, he will say goodbye to the national team following the competition in the United States.
After making his second career return to the Portuguese team in the summer, Di Maria will play the remainder of the season for Benfica. The forward joined the team on a one-year contract and left on a free transfer.
Players at the beginning of the end of the career
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved almost everything there is to win. The Portuguese star moved to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. The move triggered a tsunami of football players moving to the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo might not be playing his last few games but the forward might be at a stage at the beginning of the end of his career.
The 38-year-old five-time Ballon d’Or winner knows that, even if he keeps himself in peak physical condition, the day will come when he must hang up his boots. He has communicated his long-term objectives to Portugal and Al-Nassr, so there are no plans to accomplish that anytime soon.
Several sources claim that Ronaldo has expressed his desire to negotiate a contract extension that would take him through 2027 with his Saudi Arabian club. He would be able to represent his nation in another World Cup final that the US, Canada, and Mexico will co-host thanks to that agreement.
Ronaldo, the all-time great who has 201 caps for Portugal and 123 goals, had previously hinted that his international career would come to an end after the European Championship in the summer. But now he has his sights set on another international spectacle.
Lionel Messi
With the FIFA World Cup glory in 2022, Lionel Messi has won everything there is to win and has cemented himself as the best player in the history of the sport. Messi made the decision to join Major League Soccer (MLS) team Inter Miami this summer, closing off an incredible time playing football in Europe. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has no plans to retire in the United States, according to a report published by El Nacional. Messi’s current Inter Miami contract expires in 2025. Several reports indicate that Messi may depart Inter Miami after two years. According to the article, Rosario, the renowned football player from Argentina, will see the legendary player hang up his boots at his childhood club, Newell’s Old Boys.
Footballers who could be among the best this year
Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappé, the prodigious talent from France, is a footballer whose name resonates with brilliance and promise. Born on December 20, 1998, Mbappé’s meteoric rise to stardom began at AS Monaco, where his electrifying pace, impeccable dribbling skills, and innate goal-scoring ability captured global attention. His transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 shattered records, marking him as one of the most expensive players in history. With a dynamic style characterized by agility and intelligence on the ball, Mbappé has become a linchpin for both club and country. His achievements include multiple domestic titles, the FIFA World Cup triumph in 2018, and personal accolades like the FIFA World Cup Best Young Player award. Beyond his on-field prowess, Mbappé exemplifies humility and determination, embodying the potential to dominate world football for years to come. 2024 could finally be the year where Mbappe comes on his own and rule the footballing world.
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland, the Norwegian sensation born on July 21, 2000, has emerged as one of the most prolific goal-scoring talents in modern football. Standing out for his imposing physicality, incredible speed, and clinical finishing, Haaland’s rise to prominence began at RB Salzburg before moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2020. His goal-scoring exploits have been nothing short of extraordinary, breaking records and captivating audiences with his consistent ability to find the back of the net. Haaland’s prowess in front of goal, combined with his work ethic and determination, has earned him widespread admiration and numerous accolades, solidifying his status as one of the most sought-after forwards in the world. With a remarkable goal-scoring ratio and a relentless drive to succeed, Haaland embodies the future of elite strikers in global football. With Manchester City he has already won the Treble last and will himself winning a lot more in the years to come if he decides to stay at the Manchester club.
Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham is a rising star in the world of football. At just 20 years old, he has already achieved remarkable things. He currently plays as a midfielder for Real Madrid, one of the most prestigious clubs in the world, and the England national team. Bellingham began his professional career at Birmingham City, becoming their youngest-ever player at the age of 16. He quickly gained attention for his talent and maturity, and in 2020, he made a record-breaking transfer to Borussia Dortmund. During his time at Dortmund, he established himself as one of the best young players in the world, winning the prestigious Golden Boy award in 2023. In the summer of 2023, Bellingham made another big move, joining Real Madrid for a fee that made him the most expensive English footballer ever. He has already started to make an impact at his new club, showcasing his impressive skills and leadership qualities.
Harry Kane
After years of tantalizing the Tottenham faithful with goals galore, Harry Kane finally chased Champions League glory in 2023, swapping the familiar white of Spurs for the glistening red of Bayern Munich. In a record-breaking transfer, the English talisman set his sights on European dominance alongside the Bavarian giants. While Spurs nurtured his raw talent, Kane blossomed into a complete forward under Bayern’s tutelage. His lethal finishing remained, but his playmaking flourished, creating chances for teammates with pinpoint passes and deft touches. With Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané flanking him, Bayern’s attack became a hurricane, Kane the calm eye at the center dictating the storm. The Bundesliga has witnessed Kane’s ruthless efficiency, his goalscoring form barely dipping. Despite the change of scenery, the Englishman’s hunger for silverware hasn’t diminished. Bayern’s treble ambitions rest heavily on his broad shoulders, and the world watches with bated breath as Harry Kane, reborn in Bavaria, aims to conquer Europe at last.
