Six surprise breakout stars of World Cup tournaments who were unknown beforehand

Six surprise breakout stars of World Cup tournaments who were unknown beforehand,The 2022 World Cup is here and with it there is a chance for players to become household stars - so Daily Star Sport takes a look at six unknown players who became overnight sensations at the World Cup

Six surprise breakout stars of World Cup tournaments who were unknown beforehand

There's no bigger stage in football than the World Cup, and careers can be made in a matter of seconds with one famous moment.

And over the course of the World Cup, numerous players have taken their chance on the world stage to catapult their stock overnight. It can be a young star offering a glimpse of what is to come or a less-established name finally showing their true colours.

As the festival of football kicks off in Qatar, for a first-ever winter World Cup, Daily Star Sport is looking at six breakout stars from previous tournaments.

Denis Cheryshev, Russia – 2018

Denis Cheryshev earned plaudits at the 2018 World Cup (Image: Getty Images)

When Russia kicked off the 2018 World Cup, most assumed it would be a throwaway clash with Saudi Arabia. However, by the time the full-time whistle had blown, the same fans were scrambling to find out more about Denis Cheryshev.

Cheryshev netted twice against Saudi Arabia, and he found the net again in Russia's second clash with Egypt. The Russian winger also notched against Croatia, in what could have been the goal of the tournament if it wasn't for Benjamin Pavard.

By the time the curtain had closed on the 2018 World Cup, Cheryshev had graduated from Real Madrid flop to one of Europe's most in-demand stars.

Who do you think the breakout star of the 2022 World Cup will be? Let us know in the comments section

James Rodriguez, Colombia – 2014

James Rodriguez was the player of the tournament in 2014 (Image: Getty Images)

What a career James Rodriguez has had, from World Cup stardom and Real Madrid Galactico to Everton flop and an Olympiacos odyssey.

Rodriguez's defining moment of the 2014 World Cup came against Uruguay, when the diminutive midfielder flicked the ball off his chest and volleyed home. It was the goal of the tournament, and one of the all-time World Cup moments.

Rodriguez secured a move to Los Blancos off the back of the showpiece, and he would go on to star in Madrid.

Joel Campbell, Costa Rica – 2014

Costa Rica's forward Joel Campbell celebrates after wining a Round of 16 football match between Costa Rica and Greece at Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 29, 2014. — Costa Rica shocked the world in 2014 (Image: ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Costa Rica shocked the world when they reached the quarter-finals in Brazil – and Arsenal fans had their jaws on the floor as Joel Campbell fired his side into the final stages of the competition.

At Arsenal, Campbell had failed to break into the first team largely thanks to work permit issues. But here he was on the world stage, playing with the carefree arrogance that the Gunners had been lacking for the past decade.

Even after the World Cup, Campbell still couldn't force his way into the Arsenal side, and he eventually left in 2018 for Italian minnows Frosinone.

Michael Owen, England – 1998

Michael Owen scored one the greatest World Cup goals of all-time in 1998 (Image: Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)

Earlier this month, Michael Owen said: "When I was 19, 20 and at the absolute peak of my powers. I don't know, you're talking £100-something million probably, I guess it's hard to say."

And looking back at his 1998 World Cup campaign with England, it's hard to disagree. At just 18-years-old Owen burst onto the world scene with a wondergoal against Argentina, but his trip to France would ultimately end in tears.

Owen's career would derail too, as injuries caught up with the nimble star.

Diego Maradona, Argentina – 1982

Diego Maradona of Argentina #10 is confronted by a posse of Belgium defenders during the match in the 1982 Wold Cup in Spain. — Diego Maradona came of age in 1982 (Image: Steve Powell /Allsport)

Going into the 1982 World Cup, Zico was the planet's best playmaker, but after the tournament, the young pretender Diego Maradona had taken that crown.

Maradona headed into the World Cup still relatively unknown, with only rumours of a supremely talented star from Boca Juniors starting to make their way onto European shores. However, by the time the World Cup was over, Barcelona smashed the world transfer record for Maradona.

It's fair to say Maradona had a successful career after his maiden World Cup bow, and four years later he stood on top of the world with Argentina.

Pele, Brazil – 1958

Brazilian football legend Pele poses with the FIFA World Cup trophy — Pele won his first World Cup in 1958 (Image: FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images)

Similar to Maradona, when Pele arrived in Sweden in 1958 he was still an unknown quantity.

And Pele didn't start Brazil's first game, with the 17-year-old having to wait until the quarter-finals against Wales to notch his first World Cup goal. And after that goal he didn't look back, netting twice in the final against the hosts to claim Brazil's first World Cup win.

Pele went on two lift the Jules Rimet trophy two more times, allowing Brazil to keep the famous trophy forever.