The biggest names set to light up the AFC Asian Cup،
After an initial regular hiatus of four years, then a few more months of waiting due to a change of venue due to coronavirus restrictions imposed by original hosts China, the Asian Cup The AFC – the continent's premier international competition – finally returns on January 12.
Just over a year after being the battleground for the world's elite at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar will once again be the venue where Asia's top 24 teams will battle it out for the chance to win the coveted trophy on February 10.
Given the prestigious nature of the tournament, there will be no shortage of stars, but who are the biggest names to watch?
Son Heung-Min (South Korea)
There is no denying that Son Heung-Min will be the biggest name in the Asian Cup, especially since he can also lay claim to being the continent's greatest player of all time.
After a Golden Boot-winning campaign in 2021-22, Son's form dipped last season, but he is slowly but surely giving his best as Tottenham's new captain and remains a world-class talent .
Kim Min-Jae (South Korea)
Perhaps he's not yet regarded with the same adulation as Son, but Kim Min-Jae is arguably just as important to South Korea and is also quickly establishing himself as one of the best centre-backs in the world.
The 27-year-old's meteoric rise has seen him move from the Chinese Super League in 2021 to his massive move last summer to European giants Bayern Munich, where he already features prominently for the perennial Bundesliga champions .
Almoez Ali (Qatar)
After starting his career in Europe, Almoez Ali has spent the last seven seasons in his Qatar Stars League side with Al Duhail, but he is unequivocally one of Asia's most outstanding strikers.
His nine goals in the last Asian Cup earned him the Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer awards, helping Qatar win their first continental crown.
Wu Lei (China)
Now back in the Chinese Super League with Shanghai Port, Wu Lei is undoubtedly THE Chinese exports have been the most successful in Europe.
His time in La Liga with Espanyol saw him memorably equalize in a 2-2 derby against mighty Barcelona, and he certainly delivered on the promise expected of him when he made his professional debut at only 14 years old.
Kaoru Mitoma (Japan)
Kaoru Mitoma's career may have taken a little longer to take off, but he is now one of the most exciting players not only in Asia, but also in the Premier League.
With seven goals in 33 appearances, the winger played a key role in Brighton securing an excellent 6th place finish last season and he will be one of the biggest draws at the Asian Cup – albeit a recent injury so that he was on club duty could see him miss the early stages of the campaign.
Wataru Endo (Japan)
While Wataru Endo won't thrill fans in the same way Mitoma did, it would be remiss to assume he will be just as influential in Japan's quest for a fifth Asian Cup crown – and first since 2011 – especially now that he is captain of the team. Samurai Blue.
His no-fuss style of play tends to make him go unnoticed, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have his fair share of admirers, including Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who is happy to part ways with £16m to bring him back from Stuttgart. in summer.
Ali Mabkhout (United Arab Emirates)
Despite never playing outside of his native UAE, or for anyone other than Al Jazeera, Ali Mabkhout remains one of Asia's most feared strikers.
His record speaks for itself with more than 250 club goals, including 85 for the United Arab Emirates in just 114 caps.
Mehdi Taremi (Iran)
Ali Daei may be beaten as the best striker Iran have ever produced, but Mehdi Taremi definitely gives him a run for his money, especially considering the starring role he has played for Porto over the last three seasons.
Taremi's 80 goals during this period helped him win a Primeira Liga title, while he is also a two-time top scorer in the Portuguese top flight with a good share of goals in the UEFA Champions League.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Iran)
He may have had a difficult time in England with Brighton, but since last summer, Alireza Jahanbakhsh can boast Eredivisie champion status after helping Feyenoord win their first league title since 2017.
The skillful winger appears to be flourishing in the Netherlands, having already won the Eredivisie top scorer award for the 2017-18 season while playing for AZ Alkmaar, to say the least.
Mathew Ryan (Australia)
It's remarkable to think that Mathew Ryan is still 31 considering everything he has achieved in a career that has seen him feature as first choice in the Premier League with Brighton, while also boasting Arsenal and Valencia among his former teams.
Now plying his trade in the Eredivisie with AZ, he remains the most experienced and high-profile member of an Australian team with high hopes heading into the Asian Cup – although he faces a race to recover from a broken cheekbone in time for the Asian Cup. First Socceroos match against India.
Jordi Amat (Indonesia)
Perhaps an interesting addition to the roster given that he plays for Indonesia, a team that isn't expected to go too far in the tournament, but Jordi Amat will actually be a household name for many.
A La Liga regular over the past decade, Spanish-born Amat also spent four seasons in the Premier League with Swansea and was a welcome addition to the Indonesian ranks when he was granted citizenship in late 2022.
Salem Al-Dawsari (Saudi Arabia)
The last 12 months have given Salem Al-Dawsari many unforgettable memories, from the winning goal in a monumental 2-1 victory over eventual champions Argentina at the last World Cup, to earning his first AFC Player of the Year award in October. .
A true superstar of Asian football, Al-Dawsari's match-winning ability will be particularly important for a Saudi team that will be without their usual playmaker Salman Al-Faraj, who was surprisingly left out of the coach's 26-man squad Roberto Mancini. team.
Ali Adnan (Iraq)
As Ali Adnan gradually approaches the twilight of his career, he will still remain the first Iraqi international to play in Serie A, having played an important role for Udinese for several seasons when he was in his early 20s.
Adnan also spent two years in MLS with the Vancouver Whitecaps, but now plays in neighboring Iran after brief stints in Denmark and Russia.
