5 Keeps & 5 Swaps for Your Panini World Cup Sticker Collection

 

After four long years in the wilderness the month-long footy festival that is the FIFA World Cup is back! Welcome, to Russia 2018!

If you’re anything like us here at B&M HQ you’ll be counting down the days till kick off on 14^th June. And if you simply can’t wait that long to get your footy fix, you’ll no doubt be starting your Panini FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Sticker collection.

Here we take a look at the sought-after stars of the tournament – the rare and elusive stickers you’ll be prepared to swap your life-savings for – as well as those players unlikely to grab the headlines in Russia (you’ll only know they’re there because of the mountains of swaps building up in your collection!).

5 Keeps

LIONEL MESSI – describing one of the best players in world football as a flea might not sound terribly complimentary. However “La Pulga” – as Messi is known by some Spanish fans – is fairly accurate, for those who come up against him at least. Small, quick, impossible to catch and extremely irritating. Everyone will want their very own flea in their sticker collection!

CRISTIANO RONALDO – CR7 is the ultimate record breaker. Most World Cup qualifier goals, most caps for his country, most Champions League goals, most Champions League final wins, most goals for Real Madrid…we could go on! If Ron appears in your next pack, keep tight hold.

NEYMAR – in a world without Messi and Ronaldo, Brazil’s talisman would no doubt be known as the best footballer on the planet. Having signed for PSG for £200m last summer – and with Brazil eager to make amends for their 2014 humiliation – you can expect big things from Neymar in Russia.

ISCO – after a frustrating season at Real Madrid, Isco will be desperate to showcase his talents in a bid to court the attentions of the finest clubs across Europe. One of Spain’s most skilful players, Isco really is one to watch in Russia.

KYLIAN MBAPPE – bursting onto the scene with Monaco last season like a bolt of lightning, Mbappe’s progress shows no signs of slowing down. Now tearing it up in Paris alongside Neymar, the 19 year old could take Russia 2018 by storm!

B&M Top Tip: don’t forget to grab your Panini World Cup 2018 Starter Pack (including sticker album) and sticker packs at your local B&M!

5 Swaps

JOSE FONTE – once a well-revered Premier League star with Southampton, Fonte’s career hasn’t gone in the direction he might have thought it would. Signing for West Ham in 2017 was meant to be a step up for the Portuguese but 24 appearances later for the Hammers, Fonte now finds himself playing for Chinese club Dailan Yifang.

MILE JEDINAK – another player to quietly make a name for himself in the Premier League, only to find his career take a nosedive. The Aussie spent 5 years as a tough-tackling midfielder with Crystal Palace before dropping down a division in 2016 to join Aston Villa. Don’t expect much from his highlights reel in Russia.

KARI ARNASON –Aberdeen must be a home from home for this Iceland international. Iceland enjoyed a remarkable Euro 2016 (beating England to reach the quarter-finals) but the World Cup might be a step too far for Kari and his Viking friends.

TOMOAKI MAKINO – boasting a career that peaked in 2012 when he joined German side FC Koln on loan, Makino’s achievements in the world game are unremarkable at best. You may find yourself with more than one Makino sticker to swap!

JOHN OBI MIKEL – once hailed as the next big thing in world football, Mikel’s career could have turned out very differently if he had in fact signed for Manchester United (he actually signed for Chelsea in a controversial transfer saga). Mikel went on to win 11 titles with Chelsea in a successful spell but is now seeing out his career in the Chinese Super League. Not quite the force he used to be.

Which player will lead their team to World Cup glory in Russia? Tell us who you 'need' to complete your collection on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!