Toluwani Lasisi
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has come to a close, and while new heroes emerged on the global stage, several established marquee names were unable to replicate their elite club form for their respective national teams.
Here is a look at five world-class players who fell short of expectations during the tournament:
1. Viktor Gyökeres (Sweden)
Coming off a dominant club season for Arsenal where he registered 14 goals and 1 assist across 36 Premier League appearances—plus 5 goals in 13 UEFA Champions League matches—Gyökeres was expected to spearhead Sweden’s attack alongside Alexander Isak. However, the talismanic striker struggled against elite defenders throughout the tournament, repeatedly losing possession and failing to establish a foothold in dangerous areas. He departed the competition without a single goal or assist as Sweden bowed out to France in the Round of 32.
2. Bruno Fernandes (Portugal)
Following an impressive club campaign in which he recorded 12 goals across 43 appearances in all competitions for Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes was counted on to provide creativity and leadership for Portugal. Instead, the midfield captain produced what many categorized as a major disappointment. Struggling to establish his usual tempo and passing range, Fernandes failed to dictate games in the knockout rounds, leaving Portugal’s attack looking disjointed when it mattered most.
3. Sadio Mané (Senegal)
Sadio Mané enjoyed a prolific 2025–26 season, racking up 14 goals and 12 assists across 45 total appearances for club and country. However, the Senegal captain was unable to rediscover that spark on the World Cup stage. While his work rate and commitment never wavered, the explosive pace that once made him one of the world’s most feared wide forwards looked noticeably diminished. Frequently forced into congested central spaces, Mané struggled to impact matches before Senegal’s campaign ended in an agonizing extra-time defeat to Belgium.
4. Neymar Jr. (Brazil)
Having tallied 7 goals and 4 assists in 15 matches leading into the tournament, the 34-year-old Brazilian icon returned from injury hoping to inspire A Seleção. Instead, Neymar never looked fully match-fit. The veteran playmaker repeatedly dropped deep into his own half searching for touches on the ball, inadvertently crowding the midfield and limiting space for Brazil’s dynamic wide attackers. Neymar failed to register a single open-play goal contribution as Norway’s disciplined defense stifled him in an earlier-than-expected exit.
5. Vitinha (Portugal)
Vitinha entered the World Cup on the heels of a decorated season with Paris Saint-Germain—scoring 7 goals, adding 10 assists, winning a second consecutive Champions League title, and earning a spot in the FIFPRO World 11. Known for his composure and midfield orchestration, the Portuguese maestro struggled when pressed by high-intensity opponents. Spain’s relentless engine room repeatedly disrupted his rhythm, while his limitations in defensive transition exposed Portugal’s backline during critical moments.
