With five months left until the soccer world turns its attention, and T.V. sets, to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup, many players at their clubs are coming into great form.
This is helping to provide a glimpse of things to come when the world’s brightest soccer stars meet on the sport’s biggest stage.
Between the 32 teams that have qualified for the competition, stars young and old will come together to write their country’s name in the history books. From the iron defense of the German squad, to the tactical and precise passing in Spain’s midfield, to the overall team speed of the hosts, Brazil, the matchups that have been determined for the group stage will provide a great test for some of the world’s finest players and clubs.
With 64 games occurring between June 12 and July 12, one may be wondering which players to keep an eye on. Here are five select players who should prove to dazzle and entertain on the world stage, in no particular order.
Eden Hazard, Belgium
Belgian winger Eden Hazard plays his club soccer for current English Premier League leader Chelsea. His recent run of goal scoring has boosted him to No. 4 in the Premier League with 12 goals through 26 games played.
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He’ll lead an extremely young Belgium squad into the World Cup, a team so young that there are only four players above 30 on the current roster. Many young players will be making their World Cup debut, including Hazard, who is 23. These fast, tactical players have an amazing chance of making a great run into the tournament, especially if Hazard can carry his current form into the summer.
Luis Suarez, Uruguay
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez plays in the EPL for Liverpool and is the league’s top scorer with 23 goals despite only playing 21 games. He began the season serving the end of a 10 match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic last season. Suarez has been painted as a villain by the media since the end of last season.
And guess who Uruguay gets to face in its group? That’s right — England. This could be a story of personal redemption for Suarez and also prove how well he can perform against one of the sport’s historical powers.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo is the face of the sport and the current Ballon d’Or winner, which is awarded by FIFA to the best player of the
calendar year. His name speaks for itself. In 21 appearances, Ronaldo has 22 goals and has led Real Madrid to the top of the Spanish La Liga and the final of the Copa Del Rey Cup, Spain’s most prestigious domestic tournament. Ronaldo and Portugal will face a tough test against Germany in the group stage. In addition to Germany, the United States National team must face Portugal in the group stage, so if you happen to be following the USA this summer, Ronaldo will undoubtedly appear on your radar.
Thiago Silva, Brazil
Brazil has the honor of hosting this summer’s World Cup, and the Brazilian team is stacked and is a rightful favorite to win the World Cup. Thiago Silva is Brazil’s captain and anchor on defense. Silva is a very experienced veteran for club and country and, if he remains healthy, should become the captain of Brazil’s team for the World Cup.
Silva is often considered the best current defender and/or center back in the world, and certainly one of the most expensive. After playing for clubs in Portugal, Russia, Brazil, Italy and now France, Silva has competed in multiple tournaments and won multiple trophies. But can his experience help him lead his country to its first World Cup Championship since 2002? Only time will tell.
Manuel Neuer, Germany
Manuel Neuer represents Germany and plays goalkeeper for German Bundesliga club, Bayern Munich. Neuer is the current Goalkeeper of the Year winner and has 49 saves through 20 games along with 12 shutouts. He’s one of the many reasons that Germany is a feared opponent.
Germany’s defense will be tested by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and the United States forwards who have been churning out goals in recent games. Germany is another heavy favorite to win the World Cup, and if Neuer can continue being the best man between the posts in the world, then is has a great chance of braving the storm that is the world’s best offenses.