6 Players to Watch at the FIFA World Cup

736 players will part take in the 2014 FIFA World Cup which gets underway today in Brazil. In order to get you caught up on what you need to know before the games begin, FieldTurf’s European division has compiled a list of six players that you must follow, to make you a high level soccer expert and to get the most entertainment from the tournament.

NEYMAR

Neymar is the best and most popular player of the Brazilian team. After a successful first year playing for a European club (FC Barcelona), he is back in his native country with the objective to win the 6th World Cup in the country’s history. The most optimistic fans believe Neymar was born for this very moment – to lead the Brazilian team and the hopes of 200 million people and winning a World Cup on home soil.

• Position: Striker
• Club: FC Barcelona (Spain)
• International career: 49 caps (31 goals)
• 2014 Statistics: An impressive 0.68 ratio of goals per match
• Fact: He may be the most expensive player in the history (98 million Euros)
• Quote: "I don’t want to be the best player of the World Cup, I want to win it."

CRISTIANO RONALDO

It has been an unbelievable season for one of the best players in the world. Ronaldo plays for Real Madrid, one of the best club's of the last century. He was the winner of the Golden Ball (awarded by FIFA to the best player of year), and led his team to win the Champions League Final, the highest honor for a European club football. Portugal’s qualification for the World Cup was in large part due to his extraordinary performances, scoring 3 goals in the last game against Sweden and solidifying his position as the most important player on the Portuguese team. He is the captain, the star and the #1 weapon for his team during the competition.

• Position: Striker
• Club: Real Madrid (Spain)
• International career: 111 caps (49 goals)
• 2014 Statistics: He has scored 24 goals in 24 matches
• Fact: He is still questionable to play the World Cup because of an injury to both knees
• Quote: “I am an artist of football. People who like football like me too.”

LIONEL MESSI

Messi’s accolades are aplenty. He has won four FIFA Golden Balls, so his resumé speaks volumes about his talent. However, the World Cup continues to elude him. With the World Cup being played on neighboring soil, Messi aims to be the first captain of the Argentinian “Albiceleste” to win the trophy in Brazil, which would then solidify Messi’s title as one of the best players in the history of the game. A difficult 2014 season for his club, FC Barcelona, means that Messi has his eyes set on one prize only – the World Cup.

• Position: Striker
• Club: FC Barcelona (Spain)
• International career: 86 caps (38 goals)
• 2014 Statistics: 41 goals in 44 matches (and observers say that it is a bad season for him)
• Fact: At only 26 years old, he is the best scorer in the history of FC Barcelona with 243 goals in 277 matches.
• Quote : “I would trade a Golden Ball for a World Cup”

SERGIO RAMOS

He is the leader of the Real Madrid defense, winner of the Champions League final, and will take on a similar role with the Spanish team defense, one of the best teams in the history and defenders of the World Cup championship and the last two European Championships. He is an exceptional center back who is also very effective on free kicks and corner kicks. Watch out for him, he will stand out. Should the Spaniards win once again, he may be one of the favorites to win the tournament’s Best Player award.

• Position: Center Back
• Club: Real Madrid (Spain)
• International: 117 caps (9 goals)
• 2014 Statistics: He scored 3 goals in the Champions League semi-final and final
• Fact: He tattooed the World Cup and Champions League trophies on his two calves. Where will he put the Golden Ball?
• Quote: “If Ramos plays a good World Cup, he can win the Golden Ball” - Guti (ex-player of Real Madrid and Spanish team.)

YAYA TOURÉ

He has won the African Golden Ball (Best African Player) for the last three years and many believe he may win FIFA's best player award this year because of his exceptional season, capped by win the English Premiership title with Manchester City. He is a versatile midfielder who can play just about anywhere on the field, and is the pillar of the Ivory Coast team, expected to be the best African team at the World Cup.

• Position: Midfield
• Club: Manchester City (England)
• International: 82 caps (16 goals)
• 2014 Statistics: 9 assists and 20 goals in the English Premier League... and he played defensive midfield role.
• Fact: He has played in 8 different international championship
• Quote: “I want to show that African players can be better than European or South American players.”

LUIS SUAREZ

On paper, Suarez has the best statistics in all of European football this season. In practice, he may actually be even better. Suarez led the mythical Liverpool FC out of its drought and back near the top of the English Premier League standings and a qualification into next year's Champions League. He is currently considered the best scorer in the world and will be the main asset for a Uruguayan which hopes to prevent Brazil from winning the World Cup on home soil, just like they did in 1950.

• Position: Striker
• Club: Liverpool FC (England)
• International career: 77 caps (39 goals)
• 2014 Statistics: 33 matches, 31 goals, 13 assists
• Fact: He is also known to be a controversial player and has been suspended numerous times, including an 8 game suspension for biting another player/.
• Quote: “I will be at the World Cup and my dream is still the same - to win it"