Rankings: The best 10 players to watch at the World Cup
By Kian Long
The World Cup is closer than I can contain my excitement for.
It’s the big one, perhaps the biggest and most prestigious stage in sports history – the World Cup.
While this tournament hasn’t received even half the hype it has in past years, many fans across the globe are still excited for it to commence.
The last two World Cups have come from tropical destinations, so it’ll be interesting to see how Russia go about their aesthetic.
As far as the players are concerned, there isn’t one story which is the same among the bunch. Whether players are opposed to their manager, are veterans for their country, or simply just love to play the game, there are a few names who stand out.
However, stories and conflict aside, this article will run through the best ten players based on ability and ability alone. So, without further ado, let’s commence…
10. Sergio Ramos
Quite the controversial character, but the first player to look out for is Sergio Ramos. He is widely-regarded as the best defender in the world, and those claims are by no means far-fetched.
The Spanish center back prides himself on his ruthless approach. He is known for giving his all to making sure his side wins the game, which Spanish fans should expect to see from him.
He is expected to partner with Gerard Pique in central defense, and the two will hopefully put their rivalries aside and allow the creative Spanish midfield to flourish without worry.
He has a lot of close scrutiny on him, perhaps more than ever. Both Liverpool and Egypt fans, well, essentially the whole world, will have their eyes on him for what he did to Mohamed Salah in the Champions League final.
He has come out to say his challenge wasn’t intentional, but there are still many who aren’t convinced. Let’s hope for a cleaner World Cup, and a masterclass in defensive football.