Who are the stars to watch in the international break this month as nations compete for the final phase of qualifiers across the world, while others look to steady themselves in what is still a long ride.

We take a look at the players to watchout for in different federation across the globe.

African Players to Watch - November 2024

Victor Osimhen of Nigeria

The 25-year-old has been on fire for his club Galatasaray, scoring five goals in his last three games and has eleven goal involvements in nine games across all competitions for the Super Lig champions.

Osimhen, who missed the last international break due to injury, is back with the squad as the Super Eagles set to take on Benin and Rwanda in the final phase of the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The current CAF Player of the Year award holder will be looking to add to his 22 international goals to equal and maybe surpass Segun Odegbami's total of 23 for the country, and become the second all-time leading goalscorer in Nigeria’s history, behind Rashidi Yekini, 37.

However, his primary assignment will be helping the team seal qualification for the AFCON tournament, an achievement they are poised to seal as they currently lead the way in Group D, ahead of other hopefuls, Benin and Rwanda.

Serhou Guirassy of Guinea

The Borussia Dortmund striker scored five goals in the previous international break as the National Elephants secured an impressive 8-1 aggregate win over two legs against Ethiopia.

It helped Michel Dussuyer's side get their qualification campaign back on track after losing their previous two games against Tanzania and DR Congo, who await them in this break — both games were played without Guirassy, who was injured at the time.

The striker has also gone on to register six goal involvements in seven Borussia Dortmund games, taking his goal contributions for Nuri Sahin's struggling side to 12 in 13 games across all competitions, nine goals, and three assists.

The responsibility of scoring the goals to topple two nations whom they've never beaten in their combined seven meetings since 2016 lies on the shoulder of the 28-year-old, who has scored seven times for his country since his debut in March 2022.

Jordan Zemura of Zimbabwe

The secret to Zimbabwe's odds-defying performances in the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifiers has been their solid defensive performance, which has seen them keep three clean sheets in four games so far.

Their only goal conceded came in the 90th minute at home to Namibia, when they were already leading 3-0 and had the three points in the bag.

Udinese left-back Jordan Zemura has been a vital part of that defence. The 24-year-old is having his longest run in the team since his debut in late 2019 and has taken his camp for The Warriors to 12, including four in this qualifier.

Zemura has been very solid, both defensively and going forward. He has registered one assist and won the penalty for the lone goal away in Botswana.

He will need his fellow defenders to be up and running in the upcoming games as just replicating their solid defensive performance against Kenya in their next game will be enough to secure qualification, even if they do not score.

For the least ranked nation in Group J, Zimbabwe reaching Morocco 2025 is no longer farfetched, but they have to cash in on the prize before starting a party.

European Players to Watch - November 2024

Bruno Fernandes of Portugal

The Manchester United captain has turned the tide around for himself following the departure of Erik Ten Hag earlier in the month and produced a wonderful short stint under interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Bruno Fernandes had goal involvement in each of the four games under the former United striker, totaling four goals and two assists in that period, which is more than five goal contributions in 13 games under Ten Hag this season.

He has also been a top star in the UEFA Nations League for Portugal, with goal involvement in three consecutive games before blanking in their most recent game at home to Scotland.

As Portugal prepares to take on Poland to boost their qualification chances before facing Croatia in what may be a decisive clash, Fernandes' creativity will be an asset for Roberto Martinez's team.

He has been a consistent performer for the country since marking his maiden senior appearance in August 2017. He has scored 24 goals and assisted 22 in 75 appearances, without a doubt their best player, behind Cristiano Ronaldo.

Matteo Retegui of Italy

The striker position is currently experiencing evolution and Atalanta striker Matteo Retegui is lucky enough to have made himself ready to take up the opportunity that presents itself.

For a player who made his debut in March 2023, the number of caps he has with the Azzurri is rapidly growing and now stands at 16, complimenting it with six goals and one assist.

His improved performance for Gian Piero Gasperini's side in Serie A this season, which has seen him score eleven times, at least three more than anyone in the division further solidifies his status as Luciano Spalletti's starting striker.

However, he has to justify his selection now and then as he potentially faces stiff competition, with Moise Kean returning to form and threatening his status, not only as Serie A top scorer but Italy's No.9 spot.

Games against Belgium and France will not be easy but the four-time FIFA World Cup winners can leverage on the injuries of their opponents and come out on top in both fixtures.

With ten points from four games, Italy is almost assured a place in the knockouts but will have to up their game to seal top status in Group 2.

Samuel Omorodion of Spain

Set to make his senior international debut for the country and the chances are very optimistic due to the absence of some important names, highlighted by AC Milan striker Alvaro Morata and Lamine Yamal.

Samu, who has been an impactful player for FC Porto since completing a mobe from Atletico Madrid in the summer, scoring 12 goals in 13 games across all competitions.

The 20-year-old has a big opportunity and if he takes it, he will have several more to make the No.9 position on long-term, given it is a nation that gives chance to youth, and his competitors are moving past their prime.

With four goals in the first half of his last international appearance, which came against Malta in October, Samu Omorodion will hope to impress Luis de la Fuente as Spain set to battle Denmark and Switzerland, in the hope of earning himself more chances in the future.

Asian Players to Watch - November 2024

Kang-In Lee of South Korea

Lee is having a phenomenon season with PSG and heads into the November international games on the back of a Player of the Week performance in Ligue 1 with two goals and one assist in the 4-2 win over Angers.

He has scored six goals in eleven league games this season, starting just six and doubling his entire goal scored in the competition last season.

Becoming an important player under Luis Enrique, the former Valencia playmaker has also had a good outing in the qualifiers for his country, contributing four goals and as many assists, numbers that put him only behind Heung-Min Son amongst his countrymen.

Given his current form, he is expected to play a huge part in this break, as the country prepares to face Kuwait and Palestine.

Almoez Ali of Qatar

Qatar will have to step up their game if they are to reach the next FIFA World Cup tournament as they currently are in danger of not making it, although they still occupy a play-off round place.

Their next fixtures this month will be decisive, with High-flying Uzbekistan coming to Doha before they travel to Abu Dhabi to face their direct rival, the United Arab Emirates.

They'll need to put up a good show and hopefully earn points to aid their cause. One man who has stepped up for them so far is Almoez Ali, and he will be needed at his best this month.

The Al-Duhail SC striker, 28, has scored 10 goals in the qualifiers, including in each of the last three games, taking his goal tally for his country to 53 since his debut in January 2013.

Ali also comes into the game on the back of a good run of form with his club, whom he has scored five times and assisted three for, in nine Star League games this season.

Sardar Azmoun of Iran

The 29-old is having a sensational time with Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai FC in his first season with United Arab Emirates, with ten goals and one assist in twelve games.

He has also been one of the country's best contributors in the ongoing FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with three assists and six goals, level with Mehdi Taremi on most goal involvements.

He has scored 50 goals and added 12 assists in 85 caps since his debut in January 2014 and with the qualifying campaign coming to a close, he will be hopeful of adding more, with North Korea and Kyrgyzstan awaiting this month.

With three goals away from equalling his best-scoring international year, his final chance is here, and taking it will not only be for his good but that of his country, too.

South American Players to Watch - November 2024

Raphinha of Brazil

Easily one of the best players in the world on current form, Raphinha has turned his career around for the best under Hansi Flick's watch in Barcelona.

From the unwanted arrogant player he was called, he is now the first name on the sheet for every matchday, and at the same time, he continues to justify his selection with impressive performances, consistently.

The attacker has been directly involved in 20 goals (12 goals and eight assists) in 17 games for the club this season, picking up the La Liga Player of the Month in August and UEFA Champions League Player of the match on two occasions.

Having missed the September games, he made his return to the squad last month, scoring two goals as Brazil secured two important wins against Chile, which helped get their qualification campaign on track.

Alongside other stars like Vinicius Junior, Raphinha will be expected to replicate those good performances when Doriva Junior's side takes on Venezuela and Uruguay in the coming days.

Lionel Messi of Argentina

With seven goals and two assists in his last five games for club and country, Lionel Messi will again be the source of inspiration for the world champions when he leads them out in the coming days.

Currently sitting at the top of the standing after ten games, Lionel Scaloni's side will look to increase their two-point gap lead with their closest rival, Colombia, set to face difficult tests against Uruguay and Ecuador.

Meanwhile, Argentina faces Paraguay and Peru, two teams Messi has had fun playing against in the past, including two brace in his previous two meetings with Peru.