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Remember how you felt when you took the stage for the first time. Your mind was a busy place, full of anxiety, nervousness, excitement and much more. Imagine this stage, and expand its manifolds. What you get is a footballer's first world cup experience.
For a professional footballer, there is no stage grander than the FIFA World Cup. With millions watching you worldwide, one good performance can turn you into a pop-culture icon. The experience could be intimidating and breathtaking at the same time.
In the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2018, there will be loads of players making their competition debut.
For some, it might be happening a little too quick, for others, it could be their last opportunity.
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Today, we present the strongest team of footballers who are set to make their debut this world cup.
Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (Germany)
The choice for this spot was between Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and David De Gea. But the latter had been part of Spain's 2014 FIFA World Cup squad, although not playing a single minute. As a result, the German got the nod.
From an erratic youngster to one of Europe's very best, Ter Stegen has come a long way. The 26-year old enjoyed an incredible 2017-18 season with Barcelona, completing the domestic double. 2017 Confederations Cup saw him prove his worth for the national side as well.
With uncertainty lying over Manuel Neuer's fitness, Ter Stegen happens to be the perfect man to fill his shoes.
Left Back - Filipe Luis (Brazil)
Being a full-back in Brazil is tough, you have to compete with the very best to earn an international cap. Atletico Madrid's Filipe Luis faced a similar problem over the years.
Despite performing consistently well season after season, Luis found himself behind Marcelo and Maxwell in the pecking order for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. But the hard-working fullback kept going and was rewarded for his persistence.
At the age of 32, Luis will finally be making his world cup debut.
Centre Back - Miranda (Brazil)
Like Luis, Miranda turned out to be a late bloomer for his country. The Brazilian earned his first cap in 2009. Since then he's been in and out of the side until becoming a regular starter under Dunga.
Miranda has been a critical figure in Inter Milan's revival, who will be participating in Champions League after a gap of six years.
The former Atletico Madrid man has earned the reputation of being a reliable worker at the back. His partnership with Thiago Silva will be decisive in Brazil's performance in Russia.
Centre Back - Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal)
Kalidou Koulibaly has been on a roll for Napoli this season. At 6'5", the French-born Senegalese is a real physical presence in the defence.
At the same time, he also possesses the ability to pass the ball and start attacks.
Koulibaly is expected to have a busy summer, with clubs like Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal looking for him.
But before that, he will be joining Senegal in their first FIFA World Cup appearance since 2002.
Placed in a relatively easy group, Koulibaly will need to be at his best for the African nation to progress into knockouts.
Right Back - Joshua Kimmich (Germany)
Ever since Joshua Kimmich joined Bayern Munich in 2015, people have seen him as Philipp Lahm's successor.
The 2017-18 season, however, proved that he could be much more. With six goals and 13 assists, Kimmich has been one of Europe's most prolific defenders.
The 23-year-old has already delivered at the international stage, playing in tournaments like 2016 Euros and 2017 Confederation Cup. 2018 FIFA World Cup will be Kimmich's real test as he takes the field to defend Germany's title.
Defensive Midfielder - N'Golo Kante (France)
When Didier Deschamps was picking France's 2014 world cup squad, Kante was yet to play a game of top-flight football. Four years later, he goes to Russia as a guaranteed starter for Les Bleus.
No matter how many times we talk about N'Golo Kante's phenomenal rise to the top, it never fails to amaze us.
The Chelsea midfielder's excellent ball-winning abilities make him a real headache for the oppositions. And the best part, he can do it all day long.
Central Midfielder - Thiago Alcantara (Spain)
Son of former world cup winner Mazinho, Thiago Alcantara was part of Spain's 30-man provisional squad in 2014. But a knee ligament injury forced him to withdraw from the side.
This time though, the Spaniard is all set to light up the world cup. Thiago has developed into one of the best central-midfielders in the world, well-round in all aspects of the game.
He, however, has the daunting task of filling in the shoes of Xavi Hernandez, something which is easier said than done.
Central Midfielder - Isco
After an impressive spell at Malaga, Isco's career came to a standstill under Carlo Ancelotti. It all changed under Zinedine Zidane, his current manager and idol, who gave him more freedom on the pitch.
All of a sudden, Isco became an unstoppable force, effortlessly dribbling past opponents as if it was a dance routine.
The attacking midfielder played a critical role in his team's world cup qualification process, top-scoring for Spain with five goals.
Russia presents him with an opportunity to emulate his idol and lead La Roja to their second title victory.
Left Winger - Kylian Mbappe (France)
With numerous attacking options at their disposal, 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe might find it difficult getting sufficient playing time. But then, it's Mbappe we are talking about, the teenager whom PSG is likely to buy for €180 million this summer.
Labelled as the next 'Ronaldo Nazario', Mbappe shocked the world by scoring over 20 goals for Monaco last season.
And he proved he was no one-season wonder, by repeating the feat during his loan spell in Paris. 2018 FIFA World Cup can turn out to be a great learning experience for the young Frenchman.
Striker - Harry Kane (England)
Over the last few decades, England has had the honour of being represented by a host of great strikers at the world cup.
These include names like Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Michael Owens and Wayne Rooney. This time, it will be Tottenham Hotspurs' Harry Kane leading their attack.
Harry Kane has been ranked among the best strikers in the world for quite some time now. In 2017, he even outscored Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, with 56 goals.
His phenomenal goalscoring display has given a new lease of life to English supporters. Can Kane end up doing the unthinkable for the Three Lions? Let's wait and watch.
Right Winger - Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
The 2017-18 season has been nothing short of a fairytale for Mohamed Salah. When was the last time a player scored over 40 goals in his debut season at a new club! Salah's talismanic form has carried Liverpool to their first UEFA Champions League final in 10 years.
And not just his club, he has been sensational for Egypt as well. The African nation would be making its first world cup appearance since 1990, courtesy five goals from Salah during the qualification process.
Egypt faces an uphill task ahead, considering they haven't won a single game in the world cup before. But with Mo Salah in their side, nothing seems impossible.
