World Cup 2018: 5 Real Madrid players to watch out for in Russia

Real Madrid once again won the Champions League and their key players have turned up for them in crucial matches.

Again, this season, they have had many controversial decisions go their way, but it cannot be discounted that so many of their players performed exceptionally well.

With the good form of so many of their players, they must be hoping to take it to the World Cup with them. The World Cup is a special occasion for every football player as it comes after every four years and the players want to play week in, week out to for their clubs so that they get a chance to represent their national teams.

Real Madrid players are no exception to it; when a player plays for Real Madrid it can be guaranteed that he is likely to be a regular for his country as well, because only the best manage to play for the Los Blancos week in and week out.

With the World Cup around the horizon and many Real Madrid players participating, we look at Top 5 Real Madrid players to watch out for in the World Cup.

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#5 Luka Modric (Croatia)

Luka Modric is equally efficient in attack as well as defense

Luka Modric, Real Madrid's little magician is probably the best central midfielder in the world right now and his performances in the Champions League are a proof of it.

The former Tottenham midfielder is one of the most hardworking members of this Real Madrid team.

Not only does he contributes in attack, he is equally efficient in attack as well. Despite all his attributes, many consider him to be underrated. The Croatian is the engine of this Real Madrid team.

At the age of 32, this is likely to be his last World Cup, though Croatia are not contenders for the World Cup, but with other players that they have got and him in midfield they are capable of causing an upset.

#4 Marcelo (Brazil)

Marcelo's experience will be crucial for Brazil.

The Brazilian has been one of the most influential figure for Real Madrid and he has been a leader for the Los Blancos on and off the pitch.

He has been often accused of being too adventurous when going forward and leaving space behind him, but he is equally efficient defending

After winning his 4th Champions League, he became the Brazilian with the most Champions League titles and has been a crucial part of Madrid's defence.

The Brazilian National Team will be hoping that he turns up for them as his experience and ability on the ball will come in handy for the Samba boys.

With him and Neymar on the left-hand side, they are likely to keep the opposition on the backfoot.

#3 Toni Kross (Germany)

Kroos's passing game will be crucial for Germany

Football is a passing game and no one passes the ball more accurately than Toni Kross in world football. The pass master is not only the master of passing, but he is also very deadly with delivering set pieces into the box.

The former Bayern Munich star has been a constant figure in the German midfield and he was in the starting line up of the German team that won the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.

This season, he has been in impressive form for Real Madrid, as he notched up a 93.3% passing for the Los Blancos.

His style of play will be very crucial for Germany, as in such international tournaments teams tend to play attacking football with lots of passing and his ability to always find the right pass makes him a key player for the Germans.

He has played a lot of important games for both Madrid and the German National Team and he has always lived up to the expectations in those games, therefore the World Cup in Russia should not be any different for him.

#2 Sergio Ramos (Spain)

Sergio Ramos has a knack of scoring important goals

Like him or hate him, Sergio Ramos is probably the best centre back in the world right now.

He is not only a great defender but a proper leader and organiser of the Madrid defence as well. The former Sevilla center-back is not only the captain of Real Madrid but also of the Spanish National Team.

He has a knack of scoring important goals in finals and he is likely to use his aerial ability to score goals for Spain.

The current Spanish roster is filled with superstars and they are one of the favourites to win it, and Ramos' form at the back will be crucial for them, as teams do not win trophies without a strong backline.

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Portugal will be desperate for Ronaldo to bring his Champions League goalscoring form to Russia.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner loves to be the hero on the big stage and there is no bigger stage than the World Cup.

Even at the age of 33, he has shown no signs of slowing down as he has scored more than 40 goals for the Los Blancos.

He will be leading a Portugal team who enter the tournament as Euro 2016 winners and he will be their talisman once again.

The Portuguese squad may not possess the same quality and depth as other contenders but in Cristiano Ronaldo, they have a talisman who is more than capable of winning trophies by himself.

If he is able to replicate his Champions League goalscoring form into the World Cup for Portugal, there is hardly any team which will be able to stop Portugal from winning the World Cup.