Wales’s first FIFA World Cup appearance in 64 years has finally come, and the men who did it may not be the five best football players In Welsh football history, but this promises to be a historic World Cup for the Welsh national team.
Their trip to Qatar raises a lot of curiosity about the identity of the players at the Mundial. Still, it is expected that some of the best players worldwide in various leagues will be present in Qatar.
Therefore we present to you the five best football players in Wales in 2022.
1. Gareth Bale
Position: Forward
Age: 33
Gareth Bale falls into the category of the greatest football player in Wales, and he was a massive part of the success story in the qualification for the world cup.
The 33-year-old forward is the captain and record goal scorer for the Welsh national team and will carry the responsibility on his very experienced shoulder.
Had the former Tottenham player retired recently before the qualification for the World Cup, it would be an easy bet that he would have been recalled back into the team.
He moved to the MLS, but even without playing in mainstream Europe, his experience, especially with Real Madrid where he won five UEFA Champions League titles, is enough. If he can do it in qualifying, he can do it at World Cup.
The Welsh legend was one of the best wingers in the world in his prime, but he always played much better whenever he played for his national team.
2. Daniel James
Position: Winger
Age: 24
Daniel James broke into prominence when Manchester United trusted the then-teenager with a £15 million signing after a single season in the championship.
Although he’s not with the Red Devils after a series of unconvincing displays, Daniel James still does his thing in the Premier League with Swansea, although he is currently on loan with Fulham.
He is very pacy, and it is interesting what his combination with Gareth Bale will bring up for the Welsh national team at the World Cup.
3. Brennan Johnson
Position: Forward
Age: 21
There would be a lot of youthful energy giving support to Gareth Bale asides from Daniel James; there is a young Brennan Johnson who can dictate things in the attacking side of the midfield.
Johnson can play the number 10 role and has a lot of movement and technicality to succeed, including an enviable work rate.
He would be a good option as a substitute late into the game.
4. Aaron Ramsey
Position: Midfielder
Age: 31
Aaron Ramsey had done it before when he led Wales to the UEFA Euro 2016 semifinals, but it’s a stage he hasn’t been to before, talking about the World Cup.
Leadership in the Welsh team will fall on his shoulders collectively with Bale, not because of age but because of the experience of the Real Madrid legend and the former Arsenal star.
Ramsey moved to Juventus in 2019 in a deal that made him one of the ten most-paid players in the world, but it didn’t end up well for him. Even a loan deal at Rangers in Scotland didn’t do well either.
With OGC Nice in France, Ramsey may not be at the level he used to be, but he is good enough to be a part of the World Cup.
5. Neco Williams
Position: Wingback
Age: 21
Neco Williams will be one of the many young stars from Wales in Qatar, but his job will be from the back as a left-back or wingback.
Neco broke out at Liverpool in 2019 and has managed to go on loan at Fulham. In 2022, he signed a four-year contract for a fee reported to be around £17 million with Nottingham Forest.
The wingback has great dynamism and clean ball striking ability whenever he shoots or crosses the ball, which makes him a quality wingback when he goes up the pitch. He is undoubtedly one of the best soccer players in Wales.
