Lionel Messi, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo and the 5 Key Talking Points from the International Break

5. Egypt could be flying the African flag high in Russia 2018

Egypt really ought to have won the Africa Cup of Nations, oughtn’t they? They were the most defensively solid side in the team by a mile – but were undid in the final by a combination of Hector Cuper’s natural tendency to go over-defensive and the sheer verve of a 'we’ve-got-nothing-to-lose' Cameroon side.

Thing is, if they had not retreated into the shell, they would have walked away with it - and as they've shown over the past week they are utterly irresistible when they move forward consistently.

In Mohammed Salah and Mohammed Elneny, they have two of the continent’s best players – and they are part of a formidable unit that can well be the best hope for the African contingent in the colds of Russia.

A surprise contender meanwhile could well be Nigeria. Having missed out on the AFCON party earlier this year, they’ve buckled down and Gernot Rohr’s men are now a young side bristling with talent throughout – none more exciting than the attacking trio Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi and Ahmed Musa – and given time they could well merge into an outfit that would do their ‘94 edition side proud (spearheaded, of course, by Iwobi’s uncle, Jay Jay Okocha).