FRANCESCO ‘ISCO’ AlARCON, SPAIN:
The 26-year old Spanish midfielder has been that intriguing piece of magic and romance in an otherwise straightforward and ruthless Real Madrid lineup, but when Isco puts on the distinctive red of Spain this summer in Russia, connoisseurs of la Roja's beautiful game will be compelled to point their fingers at him and remark, "This man… he belongs here!" adding, "fits like a glove."
DAVID SIlVA, SPAIN: The 32-year old midfielder who plays for English club Manchester city will be a major part of the central creative force in the Spanish ranks. Silva made his senior international debut in the 1-0 to Romania on 15 November 2006. He has an excellent first touch, good dribbling skills, which, along with his intelligence, allow him to retain possession in tight spaces, and to create space for himself.
CASEMIRO, BRAZIl: The 26-year old Brazilian defensive midfielder made his debut for the Brazil senior side on 14 September 2011 in a 0-0 draw against Argentina. He was just 19 at the time. Seven years hence, Casemiro has excellend in tackling, ball interception, aerial duels and passes besides an eye for often providing good assists to his teammates.
MESUT OZIl, GERMANY: Ozil made his debut for the senior side during a friendly match against Norway on 11 February 2009. He scored his first goal for the senior team in his third appearance, another friendly, against South Africa. Ozil has impressed at all levels with his advanced playmaking role, as a winger on either flank, or as an attacking midfielder through the centre of the pitch.
RODRIGO BENTANCUR, URUGUAY: like all Uruguayans, the 20-year old midfielder has shown utter grit and tenacity in the game both for Juventus at club level and more recently for the Celeste, ehich earned him a call from manager Oscar Tabarez for the team's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Venenzula and Bolivia in October. Having impressed there, Bentancur is now part of the final Russia-bound Uruguayan squad.
lUKA MODRIC, CROATIA: The 32-year old Croatian — who is the captain of hte national team — is quick, creative, and gifted with playmaking virtues which provide for an excellent vision in getting the ball through the rivals’ defences. The seemingly fragile Real Madrid man has a penchant for providing deft passes and lending nimble touches to the ball that are likely to render even the giants of the game helpless on the pitch.
Christian Eriksen, DENMARK: The 26-year old Dane, who has grabbed eyeball with his talents in a Tottenham Hotspur shirt at the English Premier league, was eight years ago the youngest player of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Presently, with maturity by his side, he awaits his chance to deliver the kind of performance at the World that may turn out to be a flattering chapter in his career and make this summer in Russia a memorable one for him and his compatriots.
WIllIAN, BRAZIl: The deft and agile Brazilian is a conjurer of sneaky little tricks — like most Brazilians are — and contributes a good share to the creativity of the men in canary yellow — something that is so inherent to their players and the collective voice of the team. One can not be wrong to be expecting much from the Chelsea man.