Rankings: The best 10 players to watch at the World Cup

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GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – MARCH 26: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal looks on during the International Friendly match between Portugal v Netherlands at Stade de Geneve on March 26, 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo by Harold Cunningham/Getty Images) /

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

Having guided his team from the sidelines to win EURO 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be the hero for Portugal yet again.

It wouldn’t be a top ten list without Ronaldo, although it’s always hard to decide whether he fits in at first or second place. For sentimentality reasons alone, I stuck him at second.

However, let’s not allow the comparisons to take away from Ronaldo’s immense ability. He seems to be getting better with age, even more so on the big stage.

He’s been a real star for Madrid this season, particularly in the Champions League. However, is that really a surprise? He has consistently come up with the goods ever since he joined the Bernabeu from Manchester United.

He will hope to do just the same for Portugal in the quest for their second successive international trophy.

He will partner with the likes of Bernardo Silva in attack, but he is always going to steal the show even in a star-studded team. One would assume the goals will come primarily from him, but he will look to turn provider occasionally too.

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