Some of the world's greatest players will be in Brazil and match-winners will be plentiful. Jamie Redknapp picks his 10 to watch at the World Cup.
LIONEL MESSI
HE must be hurting with people saying he’s not the best player in the world anymore. I’ve never seen him walk around the pitch as much as this season at Barcelona — he needs to up his tempo. If he does, he can do what Maradona did and win the tournament for his country. Rumour has it he’s been saving himself for this — let’s hope it’s true.
NEYMAR
I was unsure about the Brazil star for a while, but he had a fantastic Confederations Cup last summer, devastatingly good.
There is more pressure on him than any other player at the World Cup: he’s the pin-up, the home talent, the hope of a nation.
It’s not a vintage Brazil side but he is the one man who can produce a moment of genius.
CRISTIANO RONALDO
The player of the year’s confidence will be sky high after winning the Champions League. If he catches fire, Portugal have half a chance of doing very well.
The Real Madrid forward can score any way — left foot, right foot, headers and free kicks — and is backed up by an organised Portugal side that is used to the heat.
ARJEN ROBBEN
Yes, he dives but Robben has so much ability and skill. Louis van Gaal wants to play him centrally instead of on the wing and he could thrive there.
Good players need to be in the game, not peripheral figures on the wing. Playing in the middle will allow him to produce more magic.
LUIS SUAREZ
If he’s fit, he will terrorise England and anybody he plays against. He’s an absolute phenomenon who is capable of doing things no-one else can.
It will be a real shame if he’s not quite right as the World Cup needs him on fire.
ANDRES INIESTA I love watching him. He makes Spain tick with his ability to outpass or outdribble his opponent from midfield.
Manipulates the ball so well, seeing a different game to everybody else. Is a step ahead of everyone.
If Diego Costa is fit and Iniesta can feed him, Spain will be so dangerous again.
MARIO BALOTELLI
I was never a fan of his at Manchester City because he was poison in the dressing room. In some ways, I’m not sure why I’m picking him on this list.
But the AC Milan striker is still box office and you never know what he is going to do.
His pace and power will cause trouble for England’s defenders and Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill will be hoping he is not in the starting XI.
Was Italy’s star when they reached the Euro 2012 final and will either destroy his own team or the opposition. Watch this space.
WAYNE ROONEY
He is either going to set the tournament alight or get dropped. This is the biggest tournament of his England career.
Rooney has never scored at a World Cup and that’s not good enough for a man of his ability. He can produce the magic England will need to get out of such a tough group.
IVAN RAKITIC
Croatia have got lots of good technical players, but Rakitic is the best of the bunch. A skilful playmaker, he dribbles well and was hugely impressive in the Europa League final for Sevilla. He will surprise people in Brazil and could earn himself a big move after the World Cup.
EDEN HAZARD
Hazard started the season looking like a world beater and ended it fading away and falling out with Jose Mourinho.
The Chelsea playmaker needs to bounce back and inspire this very exciting Belgium team.
He has the ability to go from standing still to sprinting in the blink of an eye, which makes him horrible to play against.
One criticism would be that he needs to add more goals to his game — he only managed one from open play in his last 16 games of the season. Now is a good time to start.
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