Lionel Messi of Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal would likely make anyone's World Cup All-Star team. But who else would make the cut? Sporting News writer Ben Valentine puts together a full squad of talented stars.
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer (Germany)
The keeper for the best club team in Europe (Bayern Munich), Manuel Neuer was Germany’s No.1 in South Africa and for the 2012 European Cup. He was also named one of the three goalies on the Euro Cup team of the tournament.
Left back: Jordi Alba (Spain)
The 25-year-old Barcelona fullback Alba was the left back on Spain’s 2012 European champion squad and was named to the team of the tournament.
Center back: Thiago Silva (Brazil)
Thiago Silva was a big-splash signing by French side Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2012 and is expected to captain the favored Brazilian side when his country hosts the tournament this summer.
Center back: Sergio Ramos (Spain)
A center back on one of the world’s best club teams (Real Madrid) and the world’s best international side the last six years (Spain), Ramos will again be the heart of the defense as Spain tries to repeat as World Cup champion.
Right back: Philipp Lahm (Germany)
The long-time Bayern Munich right back, Lahm has been part of the dominant club squad that has won both the Bundesliga and Champions League. He has been a member of the German national team for 10 years and is currently the captain of the squad.
Central Midfielder: Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)
Three-time African Footballer of the Year, and of the best box-to-box midfielders in the world, Toure will finish among the Premier League leaders (with Manchester City) in goals this season, showing his versatility.
Central Midfielder: Andres Iniesta (Spain)
When it comes to pure passing and playmaking ability, there may not be a better on-the-ball player than Andres Iniesta, who makes Spain and Barcelona’s possession-style soccer go. Iniesta was the 2012 Euro Cup player of the tournament.
Right winger: Alexis Sanchez (Chile)
The 25-year-old Chilean attacker has already shattered his career high of goals scored with Barcelona and is challenging for top-five scoring honors in La Liga this season.
Left winger: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
The reigning FIFA Ballon d’Or winner, Ronaldo leads the back at a stacked left-wing position that includes players such as Franck Ribery and Neymar. But Ronaldo is the world’s most dominant player at the moment and the biggest reason Portugal could make noise in Brazil.
Attacking midfielder: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
He’s probably ceded the best player in the world mantle to Cristiano Ronaldo, but Messi is still one of the best attacking players in the world. On any team of all-stars, he needs to be near the top of the list.
Striker: Luis Suarez (Uruguay)
The best striker in the world at the moment, Suarez not only ran away with the Premier League scoring title but he’s also the top assist man as well. He is the biggest cog in the wheel of Liverpool’s surprise title challenge this season.
Substitutes
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)
Big (6-feet-6) but quick, Courtois backstops one of the best defensive outfits in the world in Atletico Madrid. He’ll look to provide the same cover for dark horse Belgium this summer.
Center back/fullback: Jerome Boateng (Germany)
A versatile defender who can play in the center or at either fullback position, Jerome Boateng has played for Manchester City and currently suits up for Bayern Munich. Boateng will likely meet his half-brother, Kevin-Prince Boateng, who suits up for Ghana, in the group stages in Brazil.
Central midfielder: Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)
Bastian Schweinsteiger has been a mainstay in the German midfield since 2004 and was named as one of the best midfielders in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He won his first German Footballer of the Year award in 2013.
Central midfielder: Arturo Vidal (Chile)
Another strong box-to-box midfielder, Arturo Vidal arrived at Juventus in the summer of 2011 and has been a key member of a team that has nearly locked up its third straight Serie A title.
Winger Franck Ribery (France)
Franck Ribery is arguably one of the top-five players in the World. He just happens to play on the left, as does Cristiano Ronaldo. Still, there’s no question Ribery, who finished third in the 2013 Ballon d’Or behind Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, deserves a spot on the team of the pre-tournament.
Winger Neymar (Brazil)
It hasn’t always gone according to plan for Neymar in his first season with Barcelona, but he still has 15 goals across all club competitions. Back at home for the World Cup, he is expected to star for Brazil.
Striker Diego Costa (Spain)
Costa has broken out this year for Atletico after being a solid player for the past. He could top Cristiano Ronaldo for the La Liga goal scoring title and should be a key player for Spain in Brazil.