Hat-trick heroes and surprise stars: the players who could earn big money moves after World Cup breakthrough

The World Cup Finals are always a stage for football’s greatest names to showcase their talents to those around the globe.

The likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe were all expected to shine during the tournament in Qatar and have done for large parts. But there has also been several recent World Cups that have provided a platform for players to land big money moves away from their current clubs - this one is no different.

3AddedMinutes takes a look at five players that have attracted interest after shining in Qatar.

Sofyan Amrabat - Morocco

Morocco’s run to the quarter-finals has made history as they join Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) in becoming African sides to reach the last eight of the competition. The biggest hurdle now lies ahead of the Atlas Lions look to become the first to reach the semi-finals when they meet Portugal on Saturday afternoon.

Stars such as Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech and Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri have shone brightly in the attacking third - but the hard work, discipline and intelligent passing of midfielder Sofyan Amrabat has been equally as influential as his side went unbeaten in the group stage before shocking Spain in the last 16 of the competition.

Currently with Italian club Fiorentina, the midfielder has made 20 appearances in all competitions so far this season and is about to head into the final 18 months of his current deal with the Serie A club. Several of Europe’s big-hitters are said to have taken an interest in his services during the World Cup and La Viola could be tempted by an offer when the January transfer window opens.

Goncalo Ramos - Portugal

An opportunistic selection admittedly, given this article is being written less than 24 hours after the Benfica striker netted the first hat-trick of the tournament in Portugal’s 6-1 demolition of Switzerland. But the hype surrounding Ramos started long before he replaced Cristiano Ronaldo in such an effective manner after he enjoyed a remarkable start to the season with the Portuguese giants.

The 21-year-old has scored 14 goals and provided six assists in 21 appearances in all competitions for Benfica, including hat-tricks in a Champions League qualifying tie against Danish side FC Midtjylland and braces in league fixtures against Maritimo, Rio Ave and Gil Vicente respectively.

That form has captured the attention of several clubs across Europe with Newcastle United, Manchester United and Barcelona said to have shown an interest. Speaking of a possible move away from Portugal, Ramos said: “I’m at Benfica, I’m fine, we’re playing well. What matters to me is Benfica.”

He clearly matters to Benfica too, although you suspect they will receive some firm enquiries for their prize asset after the tournament.

Cody Gakpo - Netherlands

An obvious choice given his heroics in Qatar - but much like Ramos, the talk surrounding Gakpo had started before the World Cup Finals got underway. Premier League clubs such as Leeds United, Manchester United and Liverpool had been linked with a move for the PSV Eindhoven star and it seems likely they will all face major competition for the forward after his outstanding performances for the Netherlands.

After producing a remarkable return of 30 goals involvements in 24 appearances in all competitions for the Eredivise outfit, Gakpo scored in all three of the Netherlands’ group stage games against Senegal, Ecuador and Qatar, before putting in a lively display as his side secured a quarter-final place with a 3-1 win against the USA on Saturday.

Speaking about his future after that win, Gakpo said: “I’m not thinking about that now. I’m just really focused on the tournament, trying to keep performing well and helping the team and hopefully when we become world champions then I can think about that. I’m just trying to keep focused and the other players don’t really talk about those things which also helps me in this situation.”

Valued at £39m by Transfermarkt, it seems likely Gakpo’s performances in Qatar will see him command a far larger fee, if PSV opt to cash in on the forward over the coming transfer windows.

Mohammed Kudus - Ghana

One of the stars of the group stages, despite his side’s exit from the World Cup, Ghana star Mohammed Kudus was already believed to be on the radar of a whole host of clubs around Europe.

Playing largely as a false nine for Ajax, Kudus featured across the forward line during Ghana’s unsuccessful attempt to make it out of a group containing Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay - but he certainly did enough to show what he is capable of during the tournament. Skilful and clever on the ball, and hardworking out of possession, Kudus scored twice in his side’s dramatic 3-2 win against South Korea and impressed in defeats against Portugal and Uruguay that ultimately condemned his side to an early exit.

Already linked with a move away from Ajax, the forward showed he is confident in his own ability and displayed plenty of ambition during a post-match interview earlier this year. Speaking to the Guardian after a coming-together with Brazil star Neymar during a friendly in September, he said: “He was defending his country and I was defending mine. I wasn’t about to let him push me around. What makes him better, for now, is that he has achieved a lot. I’ll get there soon.”

That opportunity may come sooner than he thinks if any of the interested clubs look to make a move for the forward in the near future.

Ritsu Doan - Japan

Japan were unquestionably the story of the group stages after producing stunning results against two genuine football superpowers.

A goal down at half-time against Germany in their tournament opener, the Samurai Blue produced an outstanding second-half display as goals from Takuma Asano and Ritsu Doan turned the game on its head and gave them a famous win. A surprise defeat to Costa Rica punctured enthusiasm and an early exit seemed likely when Alvaro Morata gave Spain an early lead in their final game of the group stage.

But again Japan rallied, and again it was Doan that got them back on level-terms early in the second-half, before a controversial winner from Ao Tanaka saw them top the group in dramatic circumstances. There was penalty shoot-out heartache as Japan fell to a defeat in their round of 16 exit at the hands of Croatia - but the form of Doan has caught the eye during the tournament. Having already played for Gamba Osaka, Groningen, PSV and Armenia Bielefeld, Doan joined Freiburg during the summer but has spoken of his determination to move to ‘a bigger club’.

Speaking last week, he told ESPN: “If I were to say I’m happy, that would mean I’m playing for Manchester United, Real Madrid or Barcelona. That was my dream when I was young. So the bad thing is that I’m not happy but the good thing is that, because I’m never happy, I want to become better and better all the time. It is a bit strange that I’m still 24 but I’ve already had five clubs, but I can honestly say they are all great clubs and now I’m happy to play for Freiburg. But if everything is going well, I should be playing at a bigger club. That’s why I’m not satisfied.”

He has done himself no harm with his performances in Qatar and will now hope to continue to catch the eye when he returns to Germany over the coming weeks.