12 World Football Stars Who Have Built Their Careers in the Past Two Years
What have you done in the past two years?
We'll all have things we're proud of and events we wish we'd have handled differently since January 2013, but for some world football stars the past 24 months have really made their careers and got them where they are today.
Whether it's from a transfer move, simply hitting great form or coming of age, these players have really come to the fore in the recent past and the present, and we'd better not waste any more time and tell you just who they are.
Gareth Bale
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In January 2013 he was: Halfway through his first really prolific goalscoring season at Tottenham, the one which would turn him into the most expensive "Galactico" in both Real Madrid and world football history. From the end of January 2013 the Welshman scored 16 goals in 19 matches for Spurs in all competitions, but when that wasn't enough to get his side in the Champions League, Madrid came calling.
Now he is: A member of probably the most recognisable attacking trio in world football alongside Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as a European champion after his goal in the final helped Real win their 10th European Cup in 2014. One of the quickest and most dangerous forwards in the world game, Bale is spearheading his country's attempts to qualify for Euro 2016 as well as helping Real's quest for more glory.
Daniel Sturridge
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In January 2013 he was: A new boy at Liverpool having cut short a three-and-a-half year stay at Chelsea, where he'd developed a reputation as something of a selfish player following years spent on the fringes of the team and often in wide positions instead of up front. The Guardian claimed the transfer cost Liverpool "in the region of £12 million."
Now he is: The scorer of 36 goals in 52 appearances for the Reds, including 24 last season as they nearly won the Premier League. Injured on international duty on September last year, his absence has hugely affected Brendan Rodgers' side in this campaign following last season's destructive "SAS" partnership with Luis Suarez. When Sturridge returns, Liverpool and England will be getting one of the best out-and-out forwards in European football back.
Wilfried Bony
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In January 2013 he was: At the Africa Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast. When he returned to his club Vitesse Arnhem in the Dutch Eredivisie, he picked up where he left off, scoring 15 goals in 12 games to end the season with a huge tally of 37 in 36 in all competitions. A move to one of Europe's more competitive leagues beckoned.
Now he is: The most expensive African footballer of all time after completing a £28 million switch to Manchester City during the current Cup of Nations. Having moved to Swansea City in the summer of 2013, Bony proved he was able to score goals in the Premier League, hitting 25 in all competitions in his first season and becoming the division's leading scorer in the calendar year of 2014.
Diego Costa
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In January 2013 he was: Back at Atletico Madrid after several loan moves away from the club, but having scored just four goals in the first half of the 2012/13 season. He managed eight in the second half of the campaign as Diego Simeone finally managed to exert his authority at the club, leading to Atletico's brilliant 2013/14, which featured a La Liga title, the Champions League final and Costa scoring 35 goals in all competitions. A move to Chelsea was on the horizon.
Now he is: Leading the line for the Premier League leaders and the go-to man for Jose Mourinho as the Blues chase glory in three competitions. Also now a Spain international having switched allegiance from Brazil, Costa has scored 17 goals in his first season in English football, and he only looks like getting more.
Ivan Rakitic
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In January 2013 he was: A dependable Croatian midfielder at Sevilla, albeit one who didn't quite look as though he was going to make the step up to the really top level. Rakitic scored five goals in the second half of the 2012/13 season and created plenty more, before a stellar 2013/14 during which he scored 13 goals, created even more and won the Europa League.
Now he is: A classy midfielder for Barcelona, and one who will perhaps get more game time when both Xavi and Andres Iniesta fade away from the club they have served so well.
Aaron Ramsey
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In January 2013 he was: Viewed with suspicion by most Arsenal fans, who felt the young Welshman was never going to be able to reproduce the form he showed before infamously breaking a leg in a match at Stoke City in February 2010. In 2012/13, he didn't score a Premier League goal until the Gunners' penultimate match of the campaign at home to Wigan.
Now he is: One of the first names on Arsene Wenger's team sheet when fit. Ramsey managed 16 goals in all competitions last season as he established himself as one of the best goalscoring midfielders in the Premier League. Injury issues have still affected him, but the Welshman remains a crucial player for club and country.
Graziano Pelle
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In January 2013 he was: Halfway through his first really prolific season in professional football, having swapped Serie A for Feyenoord and the Dutch Eredivisie the previous summer. He would score 13 goals in his final 13 games of the season and go on to bag 26 more the following campaign.
Now he is: Leading the line for a hugely impressive Southampton team as they continue to defy expectations at the top end of the Premier League table. His 11 strikes for Saints this season have shot the 29-year-old into the Italy team, and he scored the winner on his international debut in a Euro 2016 qualifier away at Malta.
Mehdi Benatia
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In January 2013 he was: In the third of three seasons with Udinese in Serie A and establishing himself as one of the most dependable defenders in Serie A. Roma noticed and took him to the Italian capital that summer, with the Moroccan centre-back becoming the rock upon which Rudi Garcia's successful 2013/14 season was built.
Now he is: At Bayern Munich having moved on again, with Roma doubling their investment on him after just one season. The 27-year-old seems to fit the game plan of Pep Guardiola's side perfectly, and it is possible to see him at the Allianz Arena for years to come.
David de Gea
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In January 2013 he was: On the way to winning his one and only Premier League title with Manchester United, although still not totally convincing onlookers he had gotten over the problems which initially blighted his time in English football. He played in 28 league matches in the 2012/13 season to more than qualify for a medal, before playing in all but one of the league games in United's disappointing 2013/14.
Now he is: Firmly established as one of the best and brightest goalkeepers in world football, so much so you don't need to put "young" in front of that title to describe the 24-year-old. De Gea's stellar displays have been crucial to a United side still seeking stability in veteran boss Louis van Gaal's first season in charge, and he looks a shoo-in to sweep the board at the club's Player of the Season awards.
Paul Pogba
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In January 2013 he was: In his first season at Juventus having left Manchester United when he'd grown frustrated at a lack of first-team opportunities. Pogba was an instant hit in Turin, but once 2013 hit he seemed to take his game to a new level, dominating central midfield and able to score spectacular long-range goals on a regular basis.
Now he is: Arguably the best player on the planet at what he does, as well as a two-time Serie A champion and one of the most sought-after players in world football. The Frenchman is also a key player for his national team, and all at the age of just 21.
Marco Reus
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In January 2013 he was: In his first season back at Borussia Dortmund having rejoined the club he left as a youngster. The winger scored 19 goals in all competitions in a stellar 2012/13 season which ended with Dortmund reaching the Champions League final, and he followed that up with 23 more the following campaign as he established himself as one of the primary wide players in the game.
Now he is: A transfer target for several of the European heavyweights, according to Spanish reports (h/t Anthony Chapman of the Express), albeit one who has picked up several injury problems, including one which saw him miss Germany's successful World Cup campaign in Brazil. A summer move looks likely.
Marco Verratti
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In January 2013 he was: In his first season at Paris Saint-Germain in France having made the somewhat surprising move from Pescara in Serie B. The holding midfielder became an instant hit in the French capital despite his tender age, and he's improved over time to become one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1.
Now he is: Established in the Italy team having taken his performance levels to new heights. Verratti is a much sought-after player and a crucial part of PSG's attempts to find success both at home and abroad.
