Ones to Watch: The Game-Changers of the Beach Soccer World Cup

With the beach soccer World Cup just around the corner, let's look at some players who might shake up the sand and prove themselves as VIPS!

1) Samuel Perez

The Guatemalan is one to watch out for, with decades of experience on his side, he is sure to make waves. What makes him an interesting character is that he is the oldest player at the competition, being 43.

Not only is he the oldest player at the competition, but it is also his debut in the said competition, as this is the first time Guatemala has qualified for it.

It is safe to say most people in his age bracket are not flinging themselves into bicycle kicks like him, which makes you wonder if he will be able to deal with not only the intensity of the tournament but the pace at which his team will be playing.

When asked about being the oldest player and competing at the highest level, he stated: “I feel blessed. It’s emotional, and to be one of the oldest players at the tournament says a lot”.

When asked about the team's hope in their debut, he stated: “I believe we are on the right track, so I feel happy about the group that we have, the majority of which are younger players. They tell me, ‘Let’s go! We can do it!’ Like I said earlier, Guatemala are all about intensity, and I think that’s why God has me here. He has given me an opportunity, and I want to take full advantage of it and enjoy it”.

Credit: FIFA

2)  Luca Bertacca

Italy's reliable rising star of the previous World Cup is back with vengeance and ready to take on every team to avenge their narrow defeat in the final of the last World Cup in Dubai.

Despite his young age, it is clear that the pressure did not get to him, stating: “Nervousness is not a part of me. No, no. I didn’t get nervous at that moment. Yes, it’s a World Cup, there’s so much at stake, but I’m a beach soccer player, I love playing beach soccer, I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to take a penalty in the World Cup.”

With the last World Cup in the past, the focus is ahead for him despite what was a difficult group stage and qualification process for the Italian national team, which he commented on, stating: “The group stage in Cadiz was really difficult. We knew it was going to be really difficult when we saw our three opponents. We lost the first match, we were under pressure, but that’s when you see the real Italy. In difficult moments, we find strength in unity.”

This is the mindset of champions, and it seems like the team is ready to go to war for each other. So could this finally be the year they are crowned champions?

Credit: FIFA

3) Chiky Ardil

The Spanish superstar is determined that this is the tournament to redeem himself after a disappointing last World Cup, when Spain were eliminated in the group stages.

The 36-year-old is still considered one of the top talents in the beach soccer world and is looking to prove this on the biggest stage this May.

Speaking on his age and his successful season so far, he stated: “For me personally, you could say it’s been the best year of my career. I’ve been the top scorer in practically all the competitions I’ve played: Euro Winners Cup, World Winners Cup, Acapulco Beach Soccer Cup. It has been a high level of working, consistency, training hard, eating well and knowing that each day you wake up you have to improve and watch matches to know how to attack opponents”.

Despite having bundles of experience, his team around him are considerably young.

He commented on this, stating: “It is a team with a lot of potential. It’s not at its optimal level because the players are young, so this World Cup could be good or bad. It’s going to depend on how we go in from a confidence standpoint and how the first games go”.

Could we see this Spain team reach new highs and take the silverware home, and will Chiky win another individual trophy this season? We will find out very soon!

Credit: Mediterranean Sport Village