Every player in the World Cup will be coming to make his mark on the biggest stage in the world. Some will score a goal or make a tackle that earns them some hometown glory and a few extra cheers; most will fly under the radar. But only a very few will keep you on the edge of your seat every time they take the field.
We pick the players that are most likely to excite and amaze in June's tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo
He's the guy you love to hate. Unfathomably talented yet infuriatingly irritating, Ronaldo will make you gasp at his otherworldly skill, box of tricks that he is, seconds before making you curse at your TV for his flopping and pretending his leg was ripped off by an innocent bystander.
Unlike many of the world's best forwards, Ronaldo never tunes out or takes possessions off, making his games unequivocally watchable and his dominant ability a constant. His knuckleball free kicks, achieved by striking the ball exactly on its seams, are a sight to behold.
-- Leander Schaerlaeckens
Lionel Messi
When Messi is on form for Barcelona, which is much of the time, the ball appears to be stuck to his majestic left foot. No one is a better dribbler, and his goal against Getafe three years ago, when he beat five players, has to go down as one of the best ever.
He has it all -- speed, vision, power and touch. Messi can head the ball, too, evidenced in last year's Champions League final.
-- Ravi Ubha
Andres Iniesta
Slight of frame with a receding hairline, Andres Iniesta doesn't look the part of one of the world's best, but don't let his appearance fool you. Dubbed the "Anti-Galactico" for his quiet demeanor and unselfish nature, Iniesta's subtle movement and sharp passing is often overlooked in Barcelona's and Spain's star-studded sides.
The way he turns a defender with a drop of his shoulder or creates the angle to unlock a devastating pass might not always make you jump out of your seat, but it's a big reason Spain rolled to a perfect 10 wins during World Cup qualifying. Watch closely in June. When you see David Villa or Fernando Torres burying goals with astounding ease, it's likely the magic started with the diminutive maestro in the middle.
-- Conor Nevins
Cristiano Ronaldo
I first saw Cristiano Ronaldo "live" in December 2003. Though only 18 at the time, his was a confidence and self-belief that suggested he knew exactly of what he was capable, even if few others did at the time. Today, Ronaldo is arguably the best player on the planet.
Physically, he can do it all, while his maturation has led to better decision-making, the result of which is a talent which can be, at times, unplayable. And yet, for all his measurable improvements, what continues to strike me about Ronaldo remains a simple intangible I saw in him as a teenager. No matter the circumstance, he always wants the ball. He is impossible not to watch.
-- Andrew Hush
