In just 23 senior club appearances, Kobbie Mainoo has already left a significant mark, earning a call-up to the England national team at the age of 18.
His swift ascent has sparked speculation about his potential inclusion in England’s squad for Euro 2024.
Mainoo has displayed his talent in recent international matches, coming off the bench against Brazil and earning a starting spot against Belgium.
Meanwhile, his Manchester United teammate Marcus Rashford has seen a reduced role for England due to his struggles with form this season.
In contrast, Harry Maguire has shown resilience in overcoming club challenges, which has helped maintain his place in the England setup.
However, a suspected recurrence of a hamstring injury forced Maguire to cut short his appearance against Brazil and withdraw from the national team camp for recovery.
Alejandro Garnacho’s journey with the Argentina national team has also been notable. Despite being called up in March 2022, Garnacho had to wait over a year to make his international debut.
His first start for Argentina against Costa Rica underscores his growing importance within the team.
Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes has proven crucial to the Portugal national team, as demonstrated in their recent victory over Sweden. His absence in their subsequent defeat against Slovenia highlighted Portugal’s dependence on him.
In summary, the stories of Mainoo, Rashford, Maguire, Garnacho, and Fernandes illustrate the ever-changing nature of international football, where players’ fortunes can fluctuate rapidly due to form, injuries, and team dynamics.
As they continue on their respective paths, their performances will undoubtedly influence the outcomes of both their clubs and national teams.