Russia 2018: The best player on every team at the World Cup

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Mario Goetze of Germany celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) /

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SOLNA, SWEDEN – MARCH 24: Emil Forsberg of Sweden during the International Friendly match between Sweden and Chile at Friends arena on March 24, 2018 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images) /

Sweden: Emil Forsberg

Have you ever wondered what a Sweden side without Zlatan Ibrahimovic would look like? Well we got our answer over the course of UEFA qualifying, and the answer is: good. Really good actually, as they pipped the Netherlands to second place and shocked World Cup regulars Italy with a playoff victory to reach their first World Cup since 2006.

Zlatan-less Sweden are much more structured and efficient and although no one could ever replace Sweden’s record goalscorer, young Emil Forsberg has taken the spotlight in Zlatan’s absence. Forsberg has performed exceptionally for his club RB Leipzig in recent seasons, with his most prolific campaign coming in 2016-17, when he racked up eight goals and 19 assists. Though not as productive this season, he’s been no less crucial for Leipzig as they bid to qualify for the Champions League for a second consecutive season.

Forsberg has found international soccer a little more difficult than club soccer, and is yet to really turn into a star for Sweden. Never will there be a better time to find his feet in a Sweden shirt than at the World Cup. There’s been a lot of talk over the past month about a possible return for Zlatan ahead of the World Cup, but the Swedish FA have since ruled out such a move. That means Forsberg will officially be the main man.

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