After what feels like an eternity, the 2022 World Cup is finally here. France have held on to a global crown for some four-and-a-half years now, with history being made as FIFA’s flagship event is slotted into the middle of a domestic campaign in Europe.
The searing heat in Qatar is responsible for that, with a major tournament having to be staged in the winter to keep everybody relatively cool. Temperatures will rise, though, once the action gets underway and the eyes of billions from every corner of the planet descend on one corner of the Middle East.
Superstar
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Some superstar performers – such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Harry Kane – will be strutting their stuff on the grandest of stages, with World Cup betting odds expecting cream to rise to the top.
Brazil are 7/2 favourites to emerge victorious, Argentina comes in at 7/2, reigning champions France are 7/1 to defend their title, and England are priced at 9/1. While those nations sit towards the top of a crowded market, several other contenders believe they have what it takes to go all the way.
Spain is one of those, with enough talent at Luis Enrique’s disposal to suggest that La Roja are capable of emulating their efforts from 2010. Back then, a team loaded with elite performers swept its way to success at three consecutive tournaments – with World Cup glory sandwiched between two European Championship triumphs. Legends were made of those involved, with international honours added to personal CVs that already included plenty of domestic prizes.
It comes as no surprise to find that certain individuals from that era have figured prominently when it comes to recognition in real life and virtual realms. Their exploits captured the imagination and left everybody wondering what it would like to boast such remarkable ability.
In the world of FIFA, gamers can get a taste of what that must have felt like. Leading figures from a golden generation for Spain have been immortalised within the FUT community. Icon cards are commonplace, and more will be delivered in 2022.
Carles Puyol, the no-nonsense centre-half that starred for Barcelona and his country, is one of those, while another very much breaks the mould. That man is one Iker Casillas, who got his hands on three prestigious trophies as captain of a star-studded Spain squad.
Ultimate
🤩 Made a stunning save from Robben
🧤 Won the Golden Glove
🏆 Lifted the #WorldCup Trophy🗓️ 11 July 2010 is a day Spain captain @IkerCasillas will never forget 🇪🇸@SeFutbol | #OnThisDaypic.twitter.com/ZCKFnRfSDb
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 11, 2021
The former Real Madrid goalkeeper is one of only two shot-stoppers – the other being ex-Chelsea star Petr Cech – included in the latest batch of FIFA World Cup ICONS. He would be a welcome addition to any Ultimate Team, with a 91-rating enough to place him above the likes of Thibaut Courtois (90), Manuel Neuer (90), Jan Oblak (89), Ederson (89) and Alisson (89) as the best custodian up for grabs.
Said standing is fully deserved as, while it does not offer parity with Gianluigi Buffon’s remarkable 95-rated card from FIFA 05, it recognises that a legend at Santiago Bernabeu is one of the best to have ever donned a pair of gloves and taken up residence between the sticks.