MEN FOR THE MOMENT THE TOP 50 IN RUSSIA THE WORLD CUP AND FOOTBALL H AS ALWAYS L ARGELY BEEN CONSIDERED A TEAM GAME, ALTHOUGH IT’S THE INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL M AKE THEIR M ARKS IN RUSSI A. THEY DRIVE THE TICKE TS THROUGH THE TURNSTILES AND THE TRAFFIC THROUGH THE STUDIOS TO HOUSEHOLDS ACROSS THE GLOBE. SPORTSBE T M AGAZINE H AVE ASSEMBLED OUR LIST OF THE TOP 50 PL AYERS FOR THIS YEAR’S WORLD CUP, FACTORING IN IMPACT, FORM AND POTENTI AL FOR SUCCESS.
fool you, Hummels has plenty of style and guile to go with his strength. 45. JOSHUA KIMMICH, GERM ANY Mature beyond his years and already part of the furniture for both Germany and Bayern Munich. 44. KEYLOR N AVAS, COSTA RICA The United States needs no reminding of his abilities. Will be pivotal if Costa Rica is to cause upsets again. 43. ROMELU LUKAKU, BELGIUM Powerful, intense and the front man for one of the tournament’s most exciting teams.
50. IGOR AKINFEEV, RUSSI A Veteran goalkeeper will need to have a big tournament if the host nation is to progress deep.
42. SERGIO BUSQUE TS, SPAIN Long seen as the ultimate team player, he recently surprised many by complaining about not receiving more individual awards.
49. LEROY SANE, GERM ANY Second-most assists in the English Premier League, and a rising force for a new-look and stacked Germany team.
41. SON HEUNG-MIN, SOUTH KOREA Best player from Asia and the creative force behind the South Korean team.
48. BERN ARDO SILVA, PORTUGAL His main duty will be to create chances for Cristiano Ronaldo. Few are better at doing just that.
40. JAMES RODRIGUEZ, COLOMBI A Still has the potential to be one of the very best despite some ups and downs for club and country.
47. M ARIO M ANDZUKIC, CROATI A Frustrated at being used out of position by club side Juventus, will have more license in Russia.
39. RADAMEL FALCAO, COLOMBI A Colombia’s form tends to mirror his own. Was devastated to miss 2014 tournament through injury.
46. M ATS HUMMELS, GERM ANY Don’t let that big, strong physique
38. SADIO M ANE, SENEGAL Pieced together a superb second half of the season for Liverpool and fronts an entertaining and skillful Senegal side. Scored in every round of the Champions League this season. 37. GERARD PIQUE, SPAIN This will likely be the final international tournament for the talented, ball-playing defensive star. 36. MESUT OZIL, GERM ANY Out of sorts at Arsenal, but still a vital part for Germany and motivated after a poor season. 35. THIBAUT COURTOIS, BELGIUM Hasn’t had his finest season, but still possesses remarkable poise for a young goalkeeper. 34. IVAN RAKITIC, CROATI A Lionel Messi is so worried about Rakitic leaving Barcelona he’s ordered club chiefs not to let it happen. High praise. 33.EMIL FORSBERG, SWEDEN Recently linked with a move to Arsenal thanks to consistently elite play in Germany. 32. DELE ALLI, ENGL AND Still improving and will carry a major burden at the heart of England’s midfield. 31. ISCO, SPAIN No-nonsense midfielder who has evolved into a key cog for both Real Madrid and Spain.
