Messi, Ronaldo Missing in Best XI Stars Heading to 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar

• Lionel Messi and Cristiano are conspicuously missing from the top eleven players heading to the 2022 FIFA World Cup despite Argentina and Portugal qualifying
• Kylian Mbappe tops the list of stars to watch out for when the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off in November with Qatar as hosts
• The draws for the 2022 FIFA World Cup will be conducted in Qatar on Friday, April 1, with 29 countries out of the 32 nations already confirmed

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are no longer the postal boys for world football nowadays despite having a total of 13 Ballon d'Or awards combined.

Both players have been excluded from the top eleven players to watch when the World Cup kicks off in Qatar in November.

According to a report via The Sun, France forward, Kylian Mbappe tops the list of players touted to shine in Qatar with Sadio Mane and Robert Lewandowski also making the list.

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Senegalese goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy makes the cut alongside Virgil van Dijk and Thiago Silva of Brazil.

Here is the team to watch at the 2022 Qatar World Cup

Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy

Defenders: Alphonso Davies, Virgil van Dijk, Thiago Silva, Achraf Hakimi

Midfielders: Declan Rice, N'Golo Kante, Luka Modric

Forwards: Sadio Mane, Kylian Mbappe, Robert Lewandowski

Ronaldo and Messi set to equal World Cup record

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi and Cristiano are set for another chapter in the history books as they are set to feature at the World Cup for the 5th time in their careers.

According to Marca, only three players can claim to have done so with Lothar Matthaus, Antonio Carbajal, and Rafael Marquez the only players to play in 5 tournaments.

Messi and Ronaldo both captained their respective national teams to qualify for the World Cup which is the only trophy they are yet to win in their playing careers.

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How Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi compare this season

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is having a better season compared to old rival, Lionel Messi, stats show.

The duo, regarded as one of the world's finest footballers both made transfer moves last summer, with Ronaldo making a stunning return to Old Trafford.

But with the two football greats in the sunset years of their careers, they have evidenced signs of rust this term, with each of them struggling to hit top form.