11. Ciro Immobile, Italy
Following his stellar season as Serie A's top goal scorer, Ciro Immobile has more than earned his place in the Italian national team. Prandelli's wild card recently sealed a move to Borussia Dortmund from Torino and with his poacher instincts, he could well be battling for the golden boot.
10. Keisuke Honda, Japan
Alongside Shinji Kagawa, Honda is Japan's talisman. Considered one of the dark horses for the tournament, Japan always seem to do better than expected in major tournaments and Honda is a consistent performer in the side. Honda applies his trade at AC Milan but following his slow start to life in Italy, the midfielder will look to perform in Brazil. A dead ball specialist with aesthetically pleasing technique, Honda was one of the stand out stars last World Cup.
9. Daniel Sturridge, England
A prominent goal scorer next to Luis Suarez in a over achieving Liverpool side this season, Sturridge will look to replicate his sizzling form he has produced domestically. The forward will be England's first choice striker and is likely to be the national side's top scorer if the bookies are anything to go by. England will be reliant on Sturridge's direct pace and killer instincts in front of goal if they are to progress.
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| Sturridge will lead England's front line in Brazil this summer and will want to grab a few goals under Hodgson |
8. Yaya Toure, Ivory Coast
Considered the best African team in the tournament, the Ivory Coast will be hoping Yaya Toure performs this summer. Enjoying his best season to date with Manchester City, the Elephants will need Toure at his goal scoring best to do well in the tournament. Toure's midfield engine twinned with his long powerful legs allow him to cover the whole pitch and given the opportunity, he can punish with precision shooting.
7. Romelu Lukaku, Belgium
With Christain Benteke out injured, Belgium's goals are likely to come from the young striker. On loan at Everton from Chelsea, Lukaku has once again impressed in England and each season looks more and more like the finished article. Strong, powerful and a aerial threat, Belgium's crafty wingers will look to feed Lukaku with plenty of goal scoring chances and if he gets them, will score.
6. Diego Costa, Spain
A naturally born Brazilian, Diego Costa opted to choose Spain over Brazil when given the the choice of the two sides. Just the one cap to his name, Costa has already been told by Vincinte Del Bosque that he will be leading Spain's front line at the World Cup. Costa has had the season of his life, winning the league and scoring a majority of Atletico Madrid's goals as they also got to the Champions League final. If he produces what has done all season following his injury, Diego Costa will be a defender's nightmare.
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| Diego Costa has enjoyed the finest of seasons with Atletico Madrid and will want to add to the silverware gained this season |
5. Mario Balotelli, Italy
The second Italian in the list, Mario Balotelli has got to number 5 for wrong reasons just as many as there are right ones. The frustrating Italian can either help or hinder and will feature against England in the group stages. Blessed with unbelievable talent and the potential to be one of the world's best, "Super Mario" often wastes his talent with immature and quite frankly stupid mistakes, childish sulking or poor discipline. Whether or not he produces, Balotelli is more than entertaining and certainly one to watch.
4. Luis Suarez, Uruguay
Public enemy number one in South Africa for his hand ball on the line that robbed Ghana of progressing into the next round, Suarez will also feature against England with PSG's Edinson Cavani upfront. The top scorer this year in England for Liverpool, Luis Suarez will need to be watched very closely due to his close control dribbling, clever flair and deadly long shots. However, Suarez is more than a controversial character and is not exactly beloved in England for the number of high profile incidents he has been involved in. Hopefully he will keep his behaviour in check but if he doesn't he can expect a torrent of abuse.
3. Lionel Messi, Argentina
A man that needs no introduction, Messi has not enjoyed the best of seasons by his exceptionally high standards and will look to rectify the disappointing season he has suffered at Barcelona in the World Cup. Messi will also be out to prove critics wrong, as he is often accused of being unable to produce his Barcelona form for the national side. Argentina's squad are blessed with a abundance of attackers and Messi will not be short of service. Argentina will be relying heavily on their talisman in Brazil as they look to add yet another World Cup title and there will be nothing sweeter than winning it in their own rivals' backyard.
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| Messi was part of a disappointing campaign with Barcelona under Gerard Martino |
2. Cristano Ronaldo, Portugal
This year's Balon D'or winner, Cristano Ronaldo has the weight of a nation on his shoulders. Portugal will be heavily reliant on the attacker in Brazil and will need to produce if Portugal are to do well. Having just won the Champions League final, Ronaldo will be trophy hungry and the World Cup is a title that has eluded him in previous years. At the peak of his powers, if Ronaldo is to win the World Cup, now is the time.
1. Neymar, Brazil
The nation's golden boy, Neymar is Brazil's icon for this tournament. All eyes will be on Neymar and much of Brazil's attacking moves will come through the pace, flair and skill of the tricky left sided forward. Anyone that watched Brazil during the Confederations Cup will have seen how Neymar produces for his national side and can be incredibly potent for manager Scolari. The country expects the World Cup trophy to be won on home soil and if Neymar does not produce, this task will become a lot harder.
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