International teams and their similarities to European clubs

The tournament that football fans across the globe have been waiting for has finally begun in Russia. The World Cup has kicked off and that's where fans will all be tuning in to see their favorite stars in action. 32 of the best international teams will contest to end the tournament with the prestigious World Cup trophy.

Even though the World Cup is on, fans cannot keep their minds away from their favorite clubs as they nervously look on with the transfer window open. The Premier League fixtures have been announced for next season and top clubs will be hoping for a few players to be signed before the pre-season starts.

To keep up with the craze of the FIFA World Cup and for all those fans missing club football, here's a small comparative study between some of the international teams and the European club they seem to resemble-

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Brazil- Real Madrid

Brazil is the most successful nation in international football. This football crazy country prides itself on its performance in world international tournaments. Brazil is probably the strongest team in the world with incredible bench strength as they have multiple players competing for the same position across different areas of the pitch. Brazil boast of some of the best attacking talent in the game and that has been the case for generations.

Real Madrid is without question the best football club on the planet and they have proved that by capturing a hattrick of UEFA Champions League titles. Real Madrid is the most valuable club on the planet and their success is unmatched. They boast of some of the best players in the world across all the positions, and even have the likes of Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio warming the bench. This goes on to show the bench strength they possess.

Real Madrid and Brazil are both led by talismanic left wingers Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar respectively, and both of them are central to their team's successes. Once they get going, both sides are ruthless and can pile on the score with their relentless attack.

Real Madrid had a minor blip from 2004-05 to 2009-100 when they kept getting knocked out uncharacteristically in the Round of 16. Brazil also suffered a similar blip in the World Cups in 2006 and 2010. Both the sides are now back to the top and Brazil will look to mimic Real Madrid and get their hands on the World Cup trophy in Russia this summer.

Common players: Casemiro, Marcelo

Spain- FC Barcelona

Spain were without doubt the best footballing nation from 2008-2013. Spain claimed the Euro 2008, FIFA World Cup in 2010 and a second consecutive UEFA Euro in 2012. They dominated the game with technically skilled players, by believing in the philosophy of tiki-taka football. This style of game was derived from the Barcelona core that the Spanish team possessed.

Barcelona ruled club football from 2008-2015, claiming three UEFA Champions League titles with their dazzling passing game. Pep Guardiola introduced the tiki-taka style of play with Spaniards Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets playing an integral part in that system.

The golden generations of Barcelona and Spain treated football fans to a spectacle of pass and move game, and the perfection was absolutely immaculate. It will be extremely difficult for any team to replicate that level of success with a dedication to their philosophies.

Common players: Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba

Germany- Bayern Munich

Germany has been one of the most consistent sides in the international tournaments over the past few editions, the same way Bayern Munich have been one of the favorites heading into the Champions League over the past few seasons. Germany and Bayern Munich have been built on steel and resilience of playing the big matches. Both sides have been regulars in the semifinals and finals stages of the respective tournament.

However, they have managed just one trophy each with Bayern beating local rivals Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final in 2012-13 whereas Germany got the better of fierce rivals Argentina in the World Cup final in 2014. The current German side and the German team of yesteryear was formed with most of the Bayern Munich squad.

Going by the talent both these sides possess in the ranks, they should have more trophies to their name. But, the golden generations of these teams have found a way to suffer surprising defeats in the semifinals and finals of tournaments.

Common players: Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Thomas Muller, Joshua Kimmich, Niklas Sule, Sebastian Rudy

Argentina- Juventus

Argentina and Juventus are two of the most decorated and admired teams in the game. Argentina has been looking to end their long trophy drought, and despite getting close on numerous occasions, that final hurrah has been missing. It's been the same case for Juventus, who have been one of the most consistent sides in the UEFA Champions League but they've just fallen short when the final leap was needed.

Juventus have been stopped twice by Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus each and were defeated by Real Madrid and Barcelona on one occasion in the final. Argentina meanwhile have been knocked out by Germany in three consecutive World Cups, with the previous one being the heartbreaking loss in the final in 2014. Argentina also went on to lose consecutive Copa America finals to Chile.

Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon left the club as one of the greatest ever players to have never won the Champions League trophy. Lionel Messi meanwhile is likely to end his international career without success, with Argentina facing a tough task of winning it this time.

Common players: Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain

Italy- AC Milan

AC Milan is the second most successful club in the Champions League with seven titles to their name. Italy meanwhile is the third successful nation in World Cup history as they've finished as champions of the world on three occasions. Both sides last won the title in the 2006 edition, after losing out in the final in the previous occasion they reached.

The shocking similarity between the two sides though is their sharp fall from great heights after their title triumph. Both sides have been through a period of transition after the retirement of their top players and they've been struggling to cope up with it for many years now. Andrea Pirlo's departure from Milan is considered as the main reason for their fall from grace and Italy are also clearly the services of their midfield maestro.

AC Milan haven't qualified for the Champions League for many seasons now and Italy shocking missed out on qualification for this year's World Cup in Russia.

Common players: Leonardo Bonucci, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Giacomo Bonaventura, Alessio Romagnoli, Ricardo Montolivo, Manuel Locatelli,

Netherlands- Arsenal

Netherlands has always been a side that has been refreshing in attack, but has remained a side with a weak defense. It's no different with Arsenal, as they possess an attacking line that would compete with the best clubs on the planet, but a defensive line that is capable of crumbling even against weak sides.

Netherlands was the pioneer of the style 'total football', in which any outfield player was capable of playing in any position, making it difficult for the opposition to defend. However, they have to failed to evolve and change their tactics despite not possessing the players to play in such a demanding style.

Arsenal meaning favoured a pass and move style under Arsene Wenger, and the last few years of his reign was a major struggle as he simply lacked the players to play in such a style. Wenger too persisted with the same style, showing a lack of adaptability despite knowing that it didn't suit his players.

Netherlands reached the final of the 2010 World Cup, while Arsenal reached the Champions League final in 2006, where both these sides lost to Spanish opposition. They performed well for a few years after that before dropping to low heights. Netherlands has failed to qualify for the last two international tournaments and Arsenal has failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the second year in succession.

The future too looks bleak for these sides as their competitors are making rapid progress while the progress has halted in their teams

Chile- Sevilla

Chile has been the top team from South America, at least when it comes to Copa America. They've won the previous two Copa America titles, ahead of more illustrious teams like Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. However, Chile have been unable to step up to such heights on the World Cup stage.

Sevilla, without doubt has been the best team on the Europa league stage this millennium. They've won three of the last five and five Europa league titles in the past 15 years, which is a staggering record. However, Sevilla have found the step up to the Champions League stage.

Chile and Sevilla have caused the occasional upset at the World Cup and Europa league stage respectively, but they've found success hard to come by. This time both teams suffered the shock of not qualifying for the respective tournaments.

Belgium- Tottenham

Belgium is one of the most exciting countries on the world stage at the moment. Belgium is now considered as one of the outside contenders when heading into these world tournaments when heading into these tournaments with a galaxy of stars plying their trade across Europe's top clubs. Belgium possess some of the best attacking talent in the game at the moment. Though they possess bundles of potential and quality, they just seem to lack the big game experience as a team to pull them through the knockout games. The golden generation head into this World Cup as genuine contenders and with star players capable of turning the games in their favour.

It's more or less, the same with Tottenham, who've become a very attractive side this decade. Tottenham possess a strong attack with creative midfielders pulling the strings. Spurs are not quite genuine contenders yet, but a few shrewd signings might just give them the hope of going on a spectacular run like Liverpool did this season.

Common players: Tottenham is shielded by the Belgian wall of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen in the centre of defense.