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The FIFA World Cup, often described as the mother of all competitions, is the most prestigious tournament in world football. The tournament is set to come up again as 32 national teams from various continents prepare to compete for the famous trophy in Russia next month.
As usual, many professional footballers from different continents will be leading their various nations into the competition. South America in particular, have gained a lot of recognition ahead of the tournament due to the number of talented players from the continent that will light up the World Cup when it kicks off.
After producing spectacular performances for their respective clubs during the 2017/2018 season, these superstars are already looking forward to leading their various nations to glory and making their continents proud. Therefore, let's look at the top 5 South American superstars that will participate in the tournament next month.
#5 Luis Suarez - Uruguay
Luis Suarez is one of the deadliest attackers in the world at the moment, with his incredible ability to take on opposition defences and send the ball into the back of the net.
The Uruguayan has been one of the most consistent superstars from South America for the past few years, combining his amazing strength with his impressive talent to produce outstanding performances.
The striker led Barcelona to another fantastic season, bagging 25 goals and 12 assists, as the Catalans claimed the Spanish La Liga title. He also inspired the Blaugrana to a Copa Del Rey triumph, bagging 5 goals, including an incredible brace in the final of the tournament.
His decent performances during the 2017/2018 season earned him a call-up to the national team, where he will represent Uruguay during the World Cup in Russia. The striker will be looking forward to overcoming his negative reputation in the tournament after biting Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 edition.
#4 Angel Di Maria - Argentina
Di Maria was one of the outstanding performers during the 2017/2018 season. Fast, skillful and very creative, the winger impressed every time he got the chance to prove himself at Paris Saint-Germain during the campaign.
After the injury of Neymar, the attacker stepped up and produced scintillating displays, winning both the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de la Ligue with the Parisians. Di Maria bagged an impressive 11 goals and 6 assists in the French top flight as well as 7 goals and 2 assists in the Coupe de France during the season.
Following his incredible performances in which he led Argentina to the World Cup final in 2014, the attacker was included in the squad to represent the nation in the prestigious tournament once again.
#3 Neymar - Brazil
Neymar took his career to another height when he completed a world-record transfer deal from Barcelona to Paris Saint Germain in the summer of 2017. At his new club, the South American quickly established himself as one of the finest attackers in the world, putting up incredible displays during the campaign.
The Brazilian led PSG to reclaim the Ligue 1 title, bagging an incredible 19 goals and 13 assists in the French top flight. He also won the Coupe de France with the Parisians, recording 2 goals and 1 assist to his name.
Once again, his nation will be counting on him to produce spectacular performances in the World Cup next month. He impressed in the tournament back in 2014, bagging an amazing 4 goals and 1 assist before a terrible injury forced him out.
#2 James Rodriguez - Columbia
James Rodriguez is a trending figure at the moment, not just because of his successful campaign with Bayern Munich but also due to his memorable achievements during the World Cup in 2014.
The Colombian impressed in the previous edition, winning the FIFA Golden Shoe for his impressive 6 goals during the competition. He also won the award for the best goal of the tournament, after scoring a brilliant volley from outside the box against Uruguay in the round of 16. James led his nation to the quarter-final of the competition that year and all eyes will be on him to produce a similar impact in Russia next month.
The attacker will be heading into the World Cup in good form after helping Bayern Munich to claim the Bundesliga title, bagging 7 goals and 11 assists in the German top division.
#1 Lionel Messi - Argentina
Lionel Messi is the biggest South American superstar that will feature in the World Cup next month. Such is the relevance of the trophy to the Barcelona legend that he recently stated that he would gladly offer a club title in exchange for it.
After he single-handedly secured his nation's participation in the tournament this year, the Argentine will be carrying the responsibility of delivering the prestigious trophy in Russia. He went close in 2014, leading the Albiceleste to the final of the competition before losing to Germany in the extra-time.
The attacker had a good season at club level, bagging an incredible 44 goals and 14 assists in all competitions. He also led Barcelona to complete a fantastic domestic double and he will be hoping to have similar impacts in the World Cup next month.
