We take a look at six young South American stars to watch at the 2018 World Cup...

Argentina

Cristian Pavon The 22-year-old winger had a scintillating season for Boca Juniors as the club took its second consecutive title, and he is now being linked with a transfer to a plethora of European clubs. Moves to West Ham, Arsenal, Chelsea and even Barcelona have been mooted, with none other than Lionel Messi reportedly recommending him to the Catalan club’s hierarchy. Pavon will probably start from the bench for Argentina, with Angel Di Maria preferred on the right-hand side. But, like in the warm-up friendly against Haiti, Jorge Sampaoli will be able to use Pavon’s pace and trickery to destabilise tiring opponents in the latter stages of games. He is a player capable of wonderful skill and direct running, which he showed in the title-deciding game for Boca this season when he skipped past four defenders before putting the ball on a plate for Walter Bou. With the unfortunate injury to West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini, he could even be in line for a starting place, but he will face tough competition from my next pick. Maximiliano Meza Independiente player Meza is less of an out-and-out-attacker than Pavon, which could work in his favour as Sampaoli looks to balance out a team that is much stronger going forwards than it is going backwards. After standout performances in last year’s Copa Sudamericana and this year’s Copa Libertadores, Meza was given his first call-up for the friendlies in March. He played against Spain in Madrid and was one of very, very few bright points as the Albiceleste went down 6-1. Meza is known in Argentina for his combination of ability and tireless work rate. Independiente use a number of different formations and Meza’s tactical flexibility – he can play on the wing, as a centre-mid or number 10 – has enamoured him to Sampaoli and Argentina’s senior players. His agent has claimed he will not renew his contract with Independiente, which will put European clubs on alert. Mauricio Pochettino is apparently keen. Meza is 26 now and at his peak, so this tournament represents the perfect opportunity to put himself in the shop window.

Uruguay

Giorgian De Arrascaeta A player that few in Europe will have heard of, the 24-year-old currently plays his club football for Cruzeiro in Brazil. Over the last 12 months, he has led them to the Copa do Brasil title as well as the Minas Gerais state crown with his incisive attacking play. De Arrascaeta can be deployed as a creative central presence behind a striker or cutting in from the left, which is where we are most likely to see him turning out for La Celeste in Russia. Part of a new breed of technically competent Uruguay midfielders, De Arrascaeta has forced his way into the starting XI in recent friendlies and is the player responsible for providing ammunition for Uruguay’s lethal front two of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. He is also capable of getting on the scoresheet himself, as he proved with a magnificent volleyed effort in the warm-up game against Uzbekistan. If he shows all he is capable of in Russia, expect European sides to be sniffing around for his signature.