The next big shot

World Cups are where rising stars of soccer quickly transform into global icons.

We look at five of the contenders to become the game's next superstar at this year's finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada:

Nico Paz (Argentina)

The son of former Argentine international Pablo Paz has opted to play for the world champion, despite being born and raised in Spain.

A rising star in the Real Madrid academy, Paz has flourished in two years working under Cesc Fabregas since a move to Como in Italy.

Madrid is reportedly set to exercise its buyback option on the 21-year-old.

His technical ability and eye for goal from range has alerted Europe's other top clubs.

Paz could have the daunting task of filling in for Lionel Messi, with Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni expected to manage the 38-year-old's minutes during the champion's title defense.

Desire Doue (France)

Doue has already lit up the biggest stage in club soccer, winning the man-of-the-match award and scoring twice in Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League final thrashing of Inter Milan last year.

But this will be the 20-year-old's first taste of a major international tournament.

Doue has a battle just to ensure he starts for Les Bleus, who can call upon a dazzling array of attacking talent that includes Kylian Mbappe, Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele and Bayern Munich's Michael Olise.

Doue, however, gave Didier Deschamps a timely reminder of his quality with his first two international goals in France's last outing, a 3-1 friendly win over Colombia in March.

Nico O'Reilly (England)

O'Reilly, 21, has already earned the trust of Pep Guardiola to become a regular for Manchester City.

Scorer of two goals from left-back in City's League Cup final win over Arsenal in March, O'Reilly began his career as a goalscoring midfielder.

Guardiola has harnessed his blend of height, speed and skill as an attacking weapon from deep, and may have solved a problem position for England coach Thomas Tuchel in the process.

England reached the final of Euro 2024 without a natural left-back for the majority of the tournament, due to Luke Shaw's lack of fitness.

"What a player," said Guardiola. "He has made an incredible step up and he has had a lot of minutes, but he deserves it."

Endrick (Brazil)

A teenage prodigy who made his Palmeiras debut at 16 and was snapped up by Real Madrid before his 18th birthday, Endrick's hopes of shining at the World Cup have been rekindled by a successful loan move to French club Lyon.

Endrick burst onto the international scene by scoring the winner against England at Wembley two years ago and becoming Brazil's youngest goalscorer since Ronaldo in the process.

Playing second fiddle to international teammate Vinicius Junior and Mbappe after his big move to Madrid two years ago, the 19-year-old has since found his scoring touch following his move to France in January.

Often compared to another Brazilian great, Romario, for his squat but powerful physique, Endrick will be hoping to emulate the former's success in scoring five goals when Brazil won the World Cup on US soil in 1994.

Pedri (Spain)

Spain's latest passing metronome, Pedri has proven to be a fitting heir to Xavi Hernandez for both club and country.

After first rising to prominence as an 18-year-old at Euro 2020, Pedri was key to Spain's run to conquering Europe two years ago in Germany, but injury prevented him from featuring in the semifinals and final.

For Barcelona, he has put his fitness troubles behind him under Hansi Flick, playing a starring role in the club's back-to-back La Liga title triumphs in the last two seasons.