There is a great deal at stake for a number of players and countries in the 2022 World Cup, as with every edition. Underdogs waiting to pounce, legacies on the line, and expectations to meet are just a few of the biggest stories as we make our way to Qatar in the near future. As the World Cup nears, group chats are rife with predictions in every conceivable area. The five storylines we are most excited to see unfold in Qatar remain standard procedure, but we decided to mix things up a bit by presenting them here.

Is Lionel Messi On The Verge Of Winning The World Cup He Has Always Dreamed Of?

The Qatar World Cup will be Lionel Messi's final chance to compete on football's biggest stage. There is one glaring absence in the trophy case of the Argentinian phenom since he began to venture into the conversation about being the greatest player to grace the beautiful game, and that is a successful World Cup victory. In spite of this, detractors of the game continue to champion Diego Maradona or Pele as the only two players worthy of occupying the position at the top.

Regardless of whether the aforementioned argument proves to be an accurate litmus test for assessing the technical knowledge of a football fan, it remains undeniable that all eyes will be on Messi if he is able to put such mindless arguments to rest once and for all. With his new ensemble, unlike in previous tournaments, the 35-year-old has put together a group of high-profile names as well as up-and-coming talents who are capable of punching above their weight class. Messi's Man of the Match performance against Italy at the 2022 Finalissima was backed up by incredible team performance, giving Lionel Scaloni's side a 3-0 victory. Messi's supporting cast gives him the best chance to leave football's grandest stage on a high note as his last dance approaches.

Neymar's Legacy: Can He Turn It Around?

There is no doubt that Neymar is among the most disrespected footballers in history. Critics have portrayed him as a classic example of "what could have been," almost implying he belongs to the same family as Hatem Ben Arfa and Adel Taarabt. A sideways move to the Parc des Princes did not compromise the Champions League winner's standing in the game. While Neymar emits stardust like Ronaldinho, he does so for considerably longer than his fellow countryman.

The upcoming World Cup provides Neymar with the opportunity to silence his doubters once and for all. With all eyes on the half-fit genius in the previous edition, Brazil now enters the tournament as the overwhelming favorite. Vinicius Jr. is considered one of the best wingers in the world and finished eighth in this year's Ballon d'Or. Alisson's stature makes the side one of the richest sides in the world, second only to Manuel Neuer's.

It is quite evident in Europe that players such as Bruno Guimares, Fabinho, Lucas Paqueta, and Casemiro, among others, form an enviable midfield department. The Premier League's Gabriel Jesus stands out as perhaps the most impressive striker aside from Erling Haaland and Harry Kane. Thiago Silva is still one of the best center-backs in the world. Neymar's ability to become one of the greatest Brazilian players of all time is further emphasized by the fact that Raphinha, Eder Militao, and Rodrygo haven't yet been mentioned. With the most in-form player in Europe and head and shoulders above his incredibly gifted teammates, his legacy could take a turn for the better if he spearheads Brazil's first World Cup win in two decades.

How Does France's Future Look? Does It Have A New Phase Or Has It Retired From Its Cycle?

It is difficult to predict Les Bleus' fate at the Qatar World Cup without heading towards either extreme. It is understandable why some are uneasy about France becoming only the third nation to win back-to-back World Cups. They still live in the memory of their disappointing performance at EURO 2020. France was anything but a sight for sore eyes throughout the tournament. France was as disjointed and uninspiring as possible despite having arguably the most well-stocked team in the world. The pre-tournament favorites were deservedly humbled in the round of 16 by a valiant Swiss side, with Kylian Mbappe's missed penalty completing a nightmare end.

There were petty disagreements, dressing room rifts, and egos as high as skyscrapers after France's exit. France has three defeats, two draws, and one win out of six games in the latest edition of the Nations League. A poor set of results. Contrary to that, it seems borderline silly to claim France will be the biggest disappointment. Didier Deschamps' squad of talented players can render any cliché about football being played on paper, cliché. Karim Benzema, who won his first Ballon d'Or, and Mbappe, the leader of the new school, stand out as the two protagonists of this team. Unlike Brazil, France has an abundance of game-changers in every area. Mike Maignan, Jules Kunde, Theo Hernandez, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Ousmane Dembele barely scratch the surface. In the end, only time will tell whether the French makes history in Qatar or regret the chance to cement a legacy in international football akin to Italy in 1934 and 1938 or Brazil in 1958 and 1962.

Are The Dark Horses Capable Of Living Up To Their Reputations?

Since a dark horse pick is subjective, we're choosing the Netherlands and Denmark for the sake of this discussion. Especially after revealing in April this year that he was being treated for prostate cancer, watching Louis van Gaal lead his nation to glory would be a story for the ages. In 2022, the former Barcelona boss, who has previously sprung a surprise with the Dutch at the World Cup, could do the same. Following a long-term injury, Virgil van Dijk's return to the EUROs is the top topic of conversation. The 31-year-old Liverpool vice-captain has had a shaky start to the season, but it would be reactionary to suggest that he is past his sell-by date considering he was arguably the best center-back last season.

Jurrien Timber and Nathan Ake form one of Europe's best defenses heading into the tournament. Teun Koopeminers, Frenkie de Jong, and Ryan Gravenberch fill the midfield, while Coady Gakpo, Memphis Depay, and Steven Bergwijn are tactically malleable forwards. Despite the quality of the squad, a seasoned van Gaal may be the tactician the Netherlands has lacked in recent years. Christian Eriksen's return to a major tournament is also a compelling story for Denmark. The footballing world should be grateful that Manchester United's midfielder is still performing at a high level and can continue to spearhead the nation's World Cup bid. Apart from that, Kasper Hjulmand must be delighted that Eriksen remains a class act on and off the pitch.

Joachim Andersen, Pierre Emile-Hojberg, Mikel Damsgaard, and Andreas Skov Olsen, for example, don't generate constant conversation, but they are excellent performers. The performance of Hjulmand's side in their recent 2-0 win over France in the Nations League impressed, not just in terms of the result. Being almost as dominant on the ball as Les Bleus, and being pressing monsters, it would be foolish to underestimate them. As Turkey showed at the EUROs, all this pre-tournament hype would be impossible to forget if the Netherlands or Denmark deceive.

Spain's Potential: How Far Can It Go?

Even though there are still many questions that need to be answered, there is certainly a case to be made that Spain has a good chance of going all the way. Enrique is one of the most tactically adept managers at the international level, who has integrated his signature style of play into the DNA of his players. Under the guidance of Fernando Santos, Gareth Southgate, and Deschamps, respectively, fellow big hitters such as Portugal, England, and France cannot claim the same. In major tournaments, midfielders are crucial difference-makers, and Spain's Pedri, Gavi, and Sergio Busquets, who play together at Barcelona, give Spain an edge. Among those who can walk into a number of teams without breaking a sweat are Rodri, Carlos Soler, and Fabian Ruiz.

There are a few factors to support said argument. Besides its weakness in the middle, Spain's weaknesses extend across the entire pitch. Despite his strength and speed, Ansu Fati may not be able to travel to Qatar later this year due to fitness issues. Morata remains wasteful in front of the goal, Pablo Sarabia is undeniably one-note, and Ferran Torres is at the lowest point in his career. The lack of an established explosive winger and clinical goalscorer, despite Nico Williams' cameos, is telling. Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte lacks a center-back partner of the same caliber to ensure his impregnability. In the past, Pau Torres and Eric Garcia have come unstuck, as witnessed during the EUROs.

The aging left-back remains a reliable performer in international football, but with just 206 league minutes this season, the aging left-back is not ready for the World Cup. These Spanish players showed they are capable of punching above their weight at EURO 2020, which could tempt many to back them to surprise later this year. One of the most intriguing talking points ahead of the November tournament is this very conundrum.

By Rashmi Goel