World Cup 2018: 5 pairs of clubmates who will go head-to-head in the group stage

The FIFA World Cup season is here and we are only days away from the much-awaited fiesta. It is a period when even non-football fans pull on jerseys and cheer the teams participating in the tournament. It is indeed a celebration.

However, the event has a habit of turning friends into foes and that includes the stars on the pitch. The World Cup only takes place every four years, rest of the period the players represent clubs from all around the world and happen to make international friends. But when the ball kicks off in Russia in few days, all these bonds will be forgotten as it will be a battle to make their countries proud.

Here are 5 pairs of clubmates who will be going up against each other in the group stage ties:

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#5 David Silva - Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)

David Silva and Bernardo Silva play for Premier League champs Manchester City

No, they are not brothers. In fact, David Silva and Bernardo Silva, who helped Manchester City to clinch the English Premier League title, will be going head-to-head at the World Cup this term.

David has been a key figure in the Spanish national team for quite a while and was also present in the side that won the World Cup in 2010. Even though he is on the wrong side of his 30s, the midfielder along with Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta will be pulling the strings for Spain and will be important in deciding the fate of the side in the tournament.

Bernardo, on the other hand, will be going to the World Cup as a part of Portugal's 23-man squad led by 5-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo. Unlike David, the 23-year-old is a youngster in terms of games played for country as he made his Portugal senior team only in 2015. However, the player's contributions will be needed for the team in order for them to progress in the competition.

Spain and Portugal, who are placed in group B along with Morocco and Iran, will go against each other on the 15th of June.

#2 Eden Hazard - Gary Cahill (Chelsea)

Gary Cahill and Eden Hazard play for Chelsea at the club level

Eden Hazard and Gary Cahill joined Premier League big guns Chelsea back in 2012 and have been teammates ever since. During their six years at the club, the two have led the Blues to the Premier League title twice, the UEFA Europa League, the English League Cup and most recently the FA Cup.

However, the longtime clubmates will have to keep their friendship aside as they sport the colours of their respective nations.

Hazard will be wearing the number 10 jersey and also the captain's armband for Belgium at the World Cup. The Red Devils have got a young but experienced side in their hands and could possibly challenge for the trophy if the likes of Hazard are on top of their form.

Gary Cahill won't be captaining his team England like his clubmate but will prove to be a leader at the back for the Three Lions. The centre-back along with Manchester United's Ashley Young are the oldest players in the 23-man squad named by manager Gareth Southgate. The 32-year-old is expected to be one of England's first choice centre-backs in the tournament.

Belgium and England, who are placed in group G, will go head-to-head on the 28th of June.

#3 James Rodriguez - Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

James Rodriguez and Robert Lewandowski are clubmates at Bayern Munich

James Rodriguez and Robert Lewandowski, who will be playing for Colombia and Poland respectively at the World Cup, are teammates at German club Bayern Munich. The two have joined their national teams after a league title-winning campaign for their club.

Rodriguez is actually a Real Madrid player but moved to Bayern last summer on a two-year loan deal. The Colombian scored seven goals and assisted eleven in Bundesliga last season and will be hoping to take that form to Russia. The 26-year-old along with veteran striker Radamel Falcao will be Los Cafeteros' rays of hope in the tournament.

Like Rodriguez, his clubmate is also a pivotal part of his team. It won't be too wrong to say that Poland is totally dependent on Lewandowski and his performances. Despite the presence of some good players like Kamil Glik, Piotr Zielinski, Jan Bednarek, Grzegorz Krychowiak, Arkadiusz Milik, etc, a lot of the side's weight is expected to be on the 29-year-old striker.

The two group H sides will lock horns on the 24th of June.

#2 Lionel Messi - Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona)

Lionel Messi and Ivan Rakitic pull the strings at Barcelona

Since 2014 Lionel Messi and Ivan Rakitic have been teammates at Barcelona. While the former is simply the Blaugrana's best player (and arguably the world's best), the latter was given the almost impossible task of replacing Xavi when he left the club in 2015.

However, the two friends will turn foes when their respective national teams play each other on the 21st of June in the World Cup.

Messi was on the verge of leading Argentina to glory last time, but the dreams were broken when Germany's Mario Gotze found the back of the net against La Albiceleste in the extra time of the finals. Argentina faced two further setbacks in the finals of the Copa America tournaments that took place in 2015 and 2016. This time in Russia, Messi will be praying that things go his way.

Rakitic, on the other hand, is a part of a very balanced but underrated Croatia squad. The team managed by Zlatko Dalic could be the surprise package of this term's World Cup and the Barcelona midfielder will play key role in. The 30-year-old along with Real Madrid's Luka Modric will be pulling the strings for the side.

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo - Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

Sergio Ramos won't be cheering if Cristiano Ronaldo scores against Spain

Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos inspired Real Madrid to a third consecutive UEFA Champions League a few days ago, but the two will be going up against each other when Portugal and Spain go head-to-head on the 15th of June.

After a triumphant UEFA Euro campaign in 2016, Ronaldo will be leading the Portugal side at Russia. The fans will be hoping that the 33-year-old brings his A-game to the tournament as his form is going to be crucial in deciding the team's fate in the World Cup.

Ronaldo's teammate Ramos will be wearing the captain's armband for his nation and will be leading the team from the back. The 32-year-old was a part of Spain's 2010 World Cup winning squad and will be aspiring to a part of yet another victorious squad. La Furia Roja is one of the early favorites to go home with the trophy.

Ronaldo and Ramos being attacker and defender respectively, it is going to be an exciting player to watch out for in the group stages of the World Cup.

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Which of these clubmates are you excited to see play against each other? Tell us in the comments below!