Worlds Best On The World Stage!

With the world cup ceremony set to take place in 2 days we can all look forward to the start of a great international footballing campaign where new stars will emerge and old ones glisten like never before. In the past we’ve had more of the first scenario where new rising stars have made names for themselves through unbelievable performances during the tournament, but after seeing Ronaldo and his Portuguese comrades lift the International European championships two years ago I have a feeling that this world cup will allow one of the current crop of world class footballers the chance to achieve greatness with their nation.

In the past world class players like Pele and Maradona became national footballing heroes for their countries due to the outstanding performances they consistently shown on the national stage. Below we’ll individually take a look at some of the world’s current best players and the attributes they possess which could potentially help lead their respective nations to glory. Each of the players below have all achieved glory at club level but still aim for that missing piece, international glory with their country.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) the 2x in a row Ballon d’Or winner is arguably the most all rounded player of the last 20 years to compete on a football pitch. He can score with either foot as well as prop up with wonderful athletic goal scoring headers. He can also be effectively deployed as a creative winger on the flank or as a goal scoring centre forward who can be the key difference in a close game. But his most valuable attribute for his team is his leadership ability both on and of the pitch. He talks, encourages, unites, and even coaches from the side-lines when off the pitch. And as seen in the Euro 2016 Finals against France can be very effective in encouraging his team to victory through emotional and passionate instructions.

Leo Messi (Argentina) Seen by many as the best player in the world Lionel Messi is a one in a million type of player whose god given ability is something which not everyone is blessed with. At club level he has done and won it all collectively with the club which offered him an amazing opportunity outside of his homeland CF. Barcelona. Having been with the club from youth level Messi worked his way from boy wonder to world best as he grew into his own unique footballing style. As an Argentinian and with the talent he beholds a lot of expectations have been placed on his shoulders in reliving Argentina’s glory days when challenging and winning the world cup was a regular occurrence. Can Messi cement himself as arguably the best player of all time by leading his team to world cup glory in Russia?

Neymar (Brazil) since bursting onto the footballing stage as a raw teenager a lot of hope in terms of success in the competition with the national side has been put on the shoulders of Neymar Jr. He was always an outstanding talent in Brazil with his boy hood club Santos FC, but when he moved to Barcelona in 2013 his light really shone bright as he won many League and cup titles as well as the prestigious UEFA champion’s league in 2015. All this success at club level has only increased the pressure to perform on the international stage with his nation. AS the captain of Brazil and seemingly adapted to the expectations set for him, a mature and fit Neymar Jr can easily be instrumental in guiding his nation to their first world cup win In 12 years.

Eden Hazard (Belgium) A wonderful talent who is definitely in the world class bracket but still viewed as being a few levels behind Ronaldo, Messi, and Neymar. This Belgium star has won many titles with his current club Chelsea but many feel there is still plenty of career defining moments ahead for the winger who could potentially leave Chelsea this summer. Could this world cup stage be the moment where hazard defines himself as the best in the world with an astonishing triumph with Belgium?

Harry Kane (England) For Tottenham in the past few seasons Harry Kane has been an outstanding contribution in terms of goal scoring and inspiring his team to back to back top four finishes. He has a leadership mentality when on the pitch and when he is firing on all cylinders. His form has a ripple effect throughout the team and has a positive impact in terms of winning matches staying as a united group. As England’s captain at this year’s world cup there is a lot of pressure on the young forwards shoulders but at club level he has proved he can handle the pressure, and if he can influence his England teammates the same way he does his spurs buddies England will definitely have the potential to go very far in the cup.

Antoine Griezmann (France) Antoine Griezmann the footballer with rhythm has fast become a footballing star after consistent wonderful performances at club level with current club Atletico Madrid since 2014. He is a creative attacker with good link up play with his teammates, effective dribbling skills when attacking the opposition, and a calm but effective presence in front of goal with the ability to score effortlessly. If he can pick up where he left off with the form shown in the Europa League final against Olympic Marseille, then he will definitely be a key figure in France having huge success at this year’s world cup.