Top 30 players this FIFA World Cup 2014

If one were to say three years ago that Lionel Messi would be cheered and given all the affection he needed in Buenos Aires and not Barcelona, they would be asked from what parallel universe did they come from.It was both ironic for soccer fans as well as comforting for Argentines to see that bit of energy that he showed Wednesday night. There was a certain bit of solace that you saw in the first half when Messi attacked non-stop and was serving some impressive dagger-like, defense-splitting passes to Di María, Lavezzi, Palacio and even to Hugo Campagnaro at right back.

Cristiano Ronaldo has called on Brazilian fans to support his country at the World Cup, where he says Portugal are in the toughest of the eight groups. "To compete in the World Cup in a brother country like Brazil is appealing," the world player of the year wrote in a blog for the Sportlobster website.

In the past few months Neymar has been a hotter topic than usual in the Brazilian media. People were invariably analysing his first season at Barcelona and all the controversy surrounding his arrival in Spain. I find it a bit puzzling that Brazilians are so worried.The World Cup finals will still be a huge occasion for Neymar and he has done a great job in helping the national team win over the supporters again after a tricky few years.

Andres Iniesta hopes Spains period of dominance will continue at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but warns England must always be considered among the favourites. The Barcelona playmaker netted the winner in the 2010 World Cup final as Spain beat the Netherlands in South Africa before going on to help Vincente del Bosque's side defend their European Championship title in 2012.

The 32-year-old, who captained Spain to victory at the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European championships, also revealed that next year's World Cup could be his international swansong. Recife, Brazil: Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas feels the 2014 World Cup in Brazil would represent the end of an era for Spanish football.

It is a depressing thought, but one of the questions that face Barcelona and Spain is how to prepare for a post-Xavi era. The Catalan is 34 next year and the reality is that however many creative, technical, passing midfielders Spain produces, none are quite like Xavi. The man team-mates call the machine, he has been what could be described as the ideologue behind arguably two of the most successful sides in history, teams with an instantly recognisable identity. Brazil will be his last World Cup, maybe the last time he ever plays for the national team. Spain may never have had a more important player and may never have one again.

Dutch coach Louis van Gaal has vowed to hand van Persie huge responsibility on his national team at the World Cup, even before the duo start working together at Manchester United next season. Van Gaal sees this ex-Arsenal forward as a great leader, a mobile attacking option and a scorer of spectacular goals that few others could even dream of. RvP has also stated his desire to make Brazil 2014 the defining moment of his career.

The AC Milan striker said: "Our national team has a great challenge ahead and we are preparing to make our fellow Italians around the world proud" Mario Balotelli said he was determined to make Italy fans proud as the team unveiled their new shirts for the World Cup.

Amid the furore over his biting of Branislav Ivanovic, the 10-match ban that followed and the summer transfer saga, the thing that still stood out this year was the Uruguayan’s remarkable football talent. It is easy to forget now that under Kenny Dalglish he missed more chances than he took whereas in the past two seasons – and certainly since his ban – he has been lethal. His goal-per-game ratio against the best Premier League clubs can still improve but if he really is a reformed character there is no reason why he cannot continue to improve and join Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the best players in the world.

The most expensive footballer in the world has shown already that he is an ideal wearer of Real Madrid’s colours. He has power, speed, balance, an eye for the spectacular and that rare ability to run just as fast with the ball as without it. But more than anything, he has that left boot and its wonderful gifts, capable of great subtlety or bludgeoning power depending on its mood.

Steven Gerrard is the most important player for England in their quest for success in Brazil. Gerrard is 34 now and even if he probably privately accepts that his best chance of success was in Germany in 2006, he will be desperate to drive England as far as they can possibly go this time in order to give the supporters the optimism that it might just be possible.

A speedy, versatile attacker perfect for Jurgen Klopp's fast, counterattacking system. Dortmund’s run to the European Cup final meant Reus became established as one of Europe’s most exciting forwards and the departure of Mario Götze means Reus has become their key counterattacker. Having established himself ahead of talented compatriots at international level, he will hope to win his first senior trophy in 2014.

Wide midfielder, inverted wide midfielder, central striker, free-floating space invader, Müller is a player who does not so much defy definition as effortlessly slip beyond its reaches, a footballing Houdini. One thing is certain: he is brilliantly effective, for all his air of ambling, skinny-legged unorthodoxy. Relentlessly exploiting space, he remains one of the most entertainingly cerebral players in European football.

André Schürrle (born 6 November 1990) is a German footballer, who plays as a forward and winger for Premier League club Chelsea and the German national team. A full international since 2010, he was a member of the German squad at UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Rooney can both disappoint and excite. He is not the player English football once hoped he would be, yet he is still a striker of uncommon gifts. Just consider the way the Maracanã broke into spontaneous applause when his picture flashed up on the giant screen before England’s friendly in Brazil in June. Rooney went on to curl an exquisite shot into the top corner and, though the raw magic of old is not always there, he is still a formidable player.

Could perhaps be much higher after an irresistible run of recent form. Manchester City’s understated little superstar is a player who essentially has everything: touch, vision, athleticism, explosive lateral movement, inventive finishing, link-up play. Agüero is effortlessly exceptional, a pure footballing talent who has now added a degree of relentlessness to his game after a difficult year personally. Still only 25, he looks to have the complete range of physical gifts, resembling at times the perfect footballing machine, and a player who looks all set to move from being a purveyor of beautiful moments to a true world star.

Italy and Juventus veteran Andrea Pirlo has been known as one of the world's top midfielders for the past decade.
The 35-year-old, who has won a World Cup, two Champions Leagues and five Serie A titles, spoke to BBC Radio 5 live about this summer's tournament in Brazil, where England are among the teams that the deep-lying playmaker will face in Group D.

Griezmann has enjoyed a prominent season in front of goal in La Liga, combining impressive athletic ability with a keen eye for goal and incredible technique and scoring 16 goals in the league for Real Sociedad this season. One would argue that the striker, who also in his versatility can play as a winger, still has his best years and ahead of him and he will definitely be one to watch in Brazil should he be given game time.

A dressing room leader and fundamental piece in Scolari's scheme due to his tactical discipline, Thiago Silva will be at his prime in his homeland after playing for elite teams in every country where he played, including Italy and France. Not only does he look unbeatable in one-on-one situations, he also manages to transmit this attitude to the whole defence. Brazil would definitely be a different -- and weaker -- team without him.

Germany captain Philipp Lahm's return to training is a significant boost. After another hectic season with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, Lahm was struggling with an ankle injury. But he has begun individual training ahead of the FIFA World Cup, which starts in Brazil, and is on the verge of a full return.

This has been the era of Spain's majestic, silky midfield performers, yet Busquets has emerged as a star with an entirely different skill set. Hard working, strong in the tackle and a good distributor of the ball, the 25-year-old does the gritty work that allows his teammates to shine. Expect him to form a potent holding midfield partnership with Xabi Alonso at Brazil 2014.

He’s a strong passer of the ball, vital for a centre-half in modern day football, and has so far appeared for The Old Lady 21 times domestically this season. At 32 years old, Brazil 2014 may well see Barzagli make his last appearance in a major tournament for the four-time World Cup winners.

Rodriguez’s slick dribbling, accurate crossing and eye for a through-ball have quickly seen him become Colombia’s primary creative force in the short time since his international debut in 2011. The 22-year-old has been a grateful recipient of the No. 10 shirt once worn by Carlos Valderrama, as he explained to FIFA.com in 2012.

Vincent Kompany says Belgium will embark on their World Cup quest believing that they can go all the way.Belgium head to Brazil this summer considered by many to be serious contenders for the crown. Kompany is aware that delivering on that expectation will not be easy, but a man who has enjoyed considerable success at domestic level with Manchester City feels anything is possible.

Bilic has been so impressed with Modric and feels he can ­maintain that club form for his country when they face the World Cup hosts in Sao Paulo on Thursday Slaven Bilic has backed Luka Modric to become one of the stars of the World Cup - and stun Brazil in this week's marquee opening game.