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Every World Cup sees the arrival of a superstar onto the global stage. It allows them the platform to make a name for themselves in the world in a manner that club football can't come close to doing. The world watches them enthral and dazzle, after all.
Thomas Muller's heroics in the 2010 FIFA World Cup will go down in history for being a prominent one. What James Rodriguez did for Colombia in 2014 attracted similar acclaim too. But with the World Cup just days away, there has to be a certain similar one this time around who will get the spotlight he deserves on a global scale.
We run the rule over lesser-known players from the big teams who can steal the spotlight in Russia this summer.
#4 Cristian Pavon
Cristian Pavon is not a household name in Argentina, let alone the world. Few know about this man from Cordoba, but for those who know who this man is, rate him very highly.
Just 22 currently, Pavon plies his trade with Boca Juniors in Argentina and his performances for the club have already attracted interest from clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona. An attacking midfielder by trade, Pavon also possesses the ability to play out wide on either of the flanks.
He made a jump into the senior team after having scored four times in just six appearances for the U-20 side and also because of his impressive tally for Boca Juniors. He scored six times and assisted 11 times in the Primera Division for his club and heads into the World Cup with some confidence.
He hasn't really been handed too many opportunities to shine for the senior side, but he'd love to seize this chance and make a name for himself on a more global stage than ever.
#3 Leander Dendoncker
This name is slightly more of a known one among football fans who support clubs in Europe. A Belgian midfielder who plies his trade with Anderlecht, Dendoncker has already attracted the attention of a long list of clubs across Europe.
Dendoncker is capable of playing as a defensive midfielder, as a centre-back or as a box-to-box midfield player. His versatility sets him apart from a lot of other Belgian players in the side and pretty same is the case with Anderlecht, where he made 27 appearances in the Jupiler League and even captained the side on a lot of occasions.
Although Dendoncker has appeared only four times for the senior Red Devils' side till now, this will the chance to prove his mettle, leadership, versatility and a dogged approach to the game. Although he has a fair share of potential suitors already, Dendoncker's versatile nature and approach to the game come in very handy when a team plays knockout fixtures.
And many are expecting Belgium to make a mark. But with the fire that Radja Nainggolan brings to the table absent, Dendoncker's passion can rekindle a bit of that spark.
#2 Julian Brandt
The 22-year-old Julian Brandt is one of those German players who just needs a bigger stage to shine for the perfect rise to prominence. He deserves it for the qualities that he has. And perhaps, the chance to shine in the World Cup offers him the opportunity to finally make a name for himself and establish himself as one of the most-wanted and the best young players in the world.
The Bayer Leverkusen youngster does have major European clubs after him, but interest in him will hit the maximum level, if things go well in the World Cup. He scored nine times and assisted thrice for Die Werkself and impressed for the national side in the Confederations Cup last year. He has already scored for the senior side and he has played regularly in the World Cup qualifiers and in the friendlies too.
And it does seem as if Joachim Loew trusts Brandt a lot, judging by the fact that he dropped Leroy Sane, who was the PFA Young Player of the Season in the Premier League. And with the faith of the boss on his side, Brandt will have to seize this chance and make sure that he leaves Russia with his head held high.
#1 Rodrigo Moreno
With the tournament about five days away, not all football fans would recognise who Rodrigo Moreno is. Especially if his popularity is compared to the likes of Sergio Ramos, David de Gea, Isco and Andres Iniesta. But the 27-year-old Rodrigo, who happens to be the cousin of Thiago and Rafinha Alcantara, could carry more of an important for Julen Lopetegui's side than most of the other players in the side.
While Diego Costa is heading to Russia, the former Chelsea man has never been a constant supplier of goals for Spain because of multiple tactical and temperament reasons. This could be another World Cup where Spain might have to rely on someone other than Costa to get them the goals that they need to go far in the tournament. And with Alvaro Morata not called-up, its Rodrigo's role that becomes vital.
A centre-forward by trade, Rodrigo can also play wide and behind the striker. But he probably goes into the tournament as Spain's second-choice striker behind Costa. The 27-year-old appeared 37 times in the La Liga for Valencia this season, scoring 16 times and assisting four times. He has previously appeared four times for Spain and has already scored twice for them. And the way Spain play seems to suit Rodrigo more than it suits Costa.
A more flexible forward, Moreno likes to drop deep and conduct play to get involved in it more often. That is the kind of striker that Spain might need in Russia and if there's anyone who fulfils that demand, then it is this man.
