49erssports.com - Slowly but surely, AC Milan is again showing its class as a top European team. The 2021/22 Serie A title is a testament to the rapid development of AC Milan under the tutelage of Stefano Pioli.
The rapid development is not only influenced by the game strategy offered by Pioli. However, the development of the ability of the AC Milan players individually is also a factor in the strength of the black-red team.
Several Milan players are now starting to be recognized for their prowess at the European level. Not only at club level, they are also predicted to be influential for their country in the 2022 World Cup.
Who are the AC Milan players who will be the key to each country's game? Here are four AC Milan players who are predicted to shine at the 2022 World Cup.
Theo Hernandez
Theo Hernandez's contribution is very big for AC Milan the last few seasons. The decisive moment successfully won the Scudetto last season and his performance was maintained until this 2022/2023 season.
The French player is Stefano Pioli's first choice at left back for AC Milan. Theo's contribution to AC Milan was proven by scoring five goals and 10 assists when he won the Serie A title last season.
In the French national team, Theo did not have much space in the middle of the names of the stars. However, his impressive performance with AC Milan last season has the potential to catalyze his name as the main player for Les Blues at the 2022 World Cup.
Rafael Leao
Rafael Leao, who is Theo Hernandez's partner on the left wing of the field, also has great potential to shine in the World Cup. What's more, Leao is the player with the most contributions to AC Milan's goals this season.
Of AC Milan's 20 goals in the 2022/23 Serie A season, Leao has contributed four gold and four assists so far. Last season, Leao also made a significant contribution by scoring 14 goals and 12 assists.
At the national team level, Leao has not made a major contribution from 11 caps with Portugal. Leao is predicted to be Portugal's first choice on the left side following the injury suffered by Diogo Jota some time ago.
Ante Rebic
Ante Rebic is one of the names that is predicted to shine at the 2022 World Cup. This Croatian player is in a positive trend at AC Milan the last few seasons.
At AC Milan, Rebic has scored a total of 29 goals since joining in the 2020/21 season. This season Rebic started quite well at AC Milan. Playing seven games, Rebic has scored three goals and provided two assists.
In the Croatian national team, Rebic has also participated in two editions of the World Cup in 2014 and 2018. The 2022 World Cup is predicted to be the most successful edition of Rebic with the Croatian national team.
Simon Kjaer
Simon Kjaer may be making his final contribution to the 2022 World Cup for the Danish national team. The 33-year-old defender will lead the Danish national team as captain over the Group D teams.
Although his place in AC Milan's defense has been replaced by the Kalulu-Tomori duo, Kjaer's toughness is still to be reckoned with. Moreover, Kjaer has a wealth of experience in other top European leagues before playing for AC Milan.
In the Danish national team, Kjaer has also been a mainstay of the defense line in recent years. The experience of 13 seasons defending the Danish national team is a good capital to lead his colleagues at the 2022 World Cup.
Source: Transfermarkt and Whoscored