There are 65 players from Serie A participating in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
As many as 21 of the 32 teams to begin the competition boasting at least one player from the Italian divisions – most from the top flight but one (Morocco’s Walid Cheddira) playing in the second-tier Serie B for Luigi De Laurentiis’ Bari.
So how are they getting on at the tournament? Olivier Giroud has showed no signs of slowing down, Adrien Rabiot has been a surprise package and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has kept Poland afloat.
But it’s been a disastrous tournament for Romelu Lukaku, Cameron stopper Andre Onana and Argentina forward Paulo Dybala.
Below, Sportsmail‘s Alvise Cagnazzo runs the rule over the Serie A stars to dazzle on the biggest stage, and the flops who will have a point to prove when the league returns to action in late December.
There have been plenty of thrills and spills from the 65 Serie A players at the Qatar World Cup
Below, Sportsmail’s Alvise Cagnazzo runs the rule over the Serie A stars to dazzle on the biggest stage, and the flops who will have a point to prove when the league returns to action
THOSE ON TOP
Record-breaking goalkeeper Szczesny – 8/10
The Juventus goalkeeper has put 18 months of ups and downs behind him with an exceptional showing at the World Cup which showcased his outstanding penalty-saving ability.
Stopping Lionel Messi’s spot-kick against Argentina helped the former Arsenal stopper enter the Guinness World Record books, becoming just the third goalkeeper to save two penalties (not including shoot-outs) at a single World Cup tournament.
Before him, American Brad Friedel did the same at the 2002 edition in South Korea and Japan, while compatriot Jan Tomaszewski also pulled off the feat in Germany back in 1974.
Record-breaking Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny brilliantly saved a Leo Messi penalty
He was certainly Poland’s best player in Qatar until their elimination, even surpassing star striker, Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski.
Despite his excellent performances, his Juventus future is uncertain, with his hefty £100,000-a-week contract weighing heavily on a team trying to reduce their wage budget and buy a younger, cheaper goalkeeper.
Atalanta’s Marco Carnesecchi, 22, or Empoli’s Guglielmo Vicario, 26, could be his heirs in Turin but his excellent showings in Qatar have increased doubts about his future.
Untamable Lion Amrabat – 9/10
Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat is the…