2018 FIFA World Cup: 10 players who could light up the tournament

If you live in India, you would know that the FIFA World Cup is due to start in just another 10 days!! June is finally here and we can't contain our excitement for the biggest event in the world anymore. The World Cup with all its history and tradition will feature some of the biggest stars in international football facing off against each other and is a good exposure for the younger players to showcase their talent and take the game and their lives to the next level. Many players post the World Cup have moved to clubs in record-breaking deals after their fabulous display, something we can expect this time as well.

Germany is the defending champions and favorites among other countries like France, Spain, Brazil, and Argentina. Belgium are the dark horses with their golden generation of football while teams like Egypt and Switzerland have players in their ranks to excite.

Now is the time when the entire nation gets behind their players and cheers for their country as one, or for another country if they haven't qualified for the World Cup group stages as a fan. It's the month we've waited all of 2018 for and family meetings will be arranged to watch the semi-finals or finals together for dinner.

No matter which team you support, or whether you are a newbie just watching with your friends, our eyes would be on some of our favorites who we would expect big things from in the upcoming month-long footballing extravaganza.

Here is who we think the top 10 players for their respective teams in Russia could be:

#1 Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

There's no doubt football enthusiasts will be closely following Egypt in this edition of the World Cup. That's all down to one man, Mohamed Salah, also called the Egyptian King who lit up the Premier League in the 2017-18 season scoring an unbelievable 46 goals in all competitions for Liverpool also assisting his team-mates 14 times in the process.

If this man is able to continue his season form into the World Cup after his heart-breaking injury in the UEFA Champions League Final against Real Madrid, there is no doubt Egypt could be headed to break records and reach the knockout rounds for the first time in their footballing history.

#2 Harry Kane (England)

If England are to reach the heights their previous golden generations haven't been able to achieve, much is expected of this prolific goalscorer and their captain, Harry Kane, who has topped the goalscoring charts in the 'most difficult league' in the previous 2 seasons just losing out to Salah in the latest 2017-18 English Premier League season.

We will be closely following the Three Lions and if they are to produce the exciting football and score the goals that are scored in their league, Kane will be instrumental to how England performance in Russia.

#3 Antoine Griezmann (France)

Antoine Griezmann of France during the the International... — Antoine Griezmann: French Fanatic

With the French boasting of a squad with unbound talent and one of the youngest squads travelling to Russia, picking one player to look out for from this team is an uphill task.

Many would believe they have the most complete squad and are definitely favorites for winning the ultimate Golden prize, but none would be possible without the contribution of their forward and fatal finisher, Antoine Griezmann.

Having completed a rather excellent season after lifting the UEFA Europa League trophy with Atletico Madrid and finishing second, ahead of Real Madrid in their domestic league, Griezmann will be raring to celebrate with his new famous Fortnite celebration at Russia.

#4 David Silva (Spain)

Spain v Switzerland - International Friendly — David Silva: Spanish Messi

Fresh off a record-breaking season with Manchester City in the latest English League season and regarded by many as the 'Spanish Messi', David Silva will be a crucial part of this new generation of Spanish footballers in the FIFA World Cup 2017-18.

Known for finding his players with ease and his attacking flair, the Spanish faithful will be hoping Silva can use his experience having already won the FIFA World Cup 2010 and the Euros in 2012 to stake his claim at the Golden trophy in Russia.

#5 Mesut Ozil (Germany)

Regarded to be the 'Assist King', the Germans will be expecting wonders from Mesut Ozil who was influential when they won the World Cup in the 2014 edition. With a lot of experience under his belt and an ever-evolving German squad who are still favorites for the Golden trophy, he will have to rise to expectations following some mediocre performances in the English league where he is known to 'go missing' in big games.

Known for his knack of finding an assist and the ease with which he gets past his opponents, Ozil's vision will be instrumental if Germany are to go far in the tournament.

#6 Luis Suarez (Uruguay)

Luis Suarez lit up the FIFA World Cup in the 2010 edition and rose to the scene when he led the Uruguay faithful to a fourth-place finish exceeding all expectations.

If Uruguay is to go far in Russia, they will be relying on Suarez to link up with his strike partner Cavani, as well as he does with Messi at Barcelona, since the two could be Uruguay's only fighting chance in the tournament.

No matter what happens, we can't wait to see what Suarez has in store for us in this edition of the FIFA World Cup.

#7 Eden Hazard (Belgium)

Belgium, who are the dark horse of this FIFA World Cup edition have a number of attacking options to choose from. The one constant among them will be the Chelsea star, Eden Hazard. Known for his swift dribbles where he can run past his entire opposition and score goals single-handedly, Hazard will have to perform big at the International stage if he is to become one of the greats of the sport.

We really hope the Red Devils can rise to their expectations and maybe even cause a shocker and lift the Golden trophy looking at the talent they boast of. They are without doubt one of the strongest teams on paper but how they play together as a unit, remains to be seen. If not now for their golden generation, then when?!..

#8 Neymar (Brazil)

Following his controversial move from Barcelona to PSG with a record-breaking transfer fee of 222 million euros, Neymar has found himself unsettled at the French Capital. Brazil who are favorites to reach the last four, without doubt, will count on their superstar to create some magic and lead the line to the end in Russia.

We haven't really seen the best of Neymar in 2018 following speculations over his future, but we know enough what the Brazilian is capable of and we hope he can reproduce his best to compete with the likes of Ronaldo and Messi who will be competing for the top spot in Russia.

#9 Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Lionel Messi: Argentine Magician — Lionel Messi: The Little Magician

No article about the top players in world football is complete without mentioning Lionel Messi's name so I definitely couldn't leave him out of this. The Little Magician will be hoping he can dribble and score his way into lifting the World Cup trophy for Argentina like he has for the past decade at Barcelona producing jaw-breaking football.

Words aren't enough to describe his achievements at club level, but on the International stage, this event could be his last best opportunity to be regarded as the Greatest in football history having just missed out in 2014 when Germany beat Argentina in extra time which left Messi in tears.

#10 Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Having won the greatest tournament at club level, The UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid 3 times running and the Euros 2016 for his country against all odds, Cristiano Ronaldo will be hunting for glory all guns blazing in Russia to add that one winner's medal that has eluded him and truly mark his name as the greatest footballer in the sport.

With age getting to him, this could be his last shot at a World Cup ever and hence we football fans can be extremely excited for all the crazy that he produces on the pitch - whether it is overhead kicks or scoring absolutely stunning goals.

As always, we can't wait to watch the Greatest 2 battle it out in Russia - JUST 10 MORE DAYS TO GO!

Who will you be rooting for? If you think there was any player that was not in this list, please let us know in the comments section.