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Every nation is lucky to have a game-breaker, who could potentially take themall the way on his shoulders. When the stakes are high, it is those game-breakers who rise to the occasion and decide the fate of the team. They provide a cutting-edge to their side and it is no secret that manager Vicente Del Bosque is blessed with a handful of them in his star-studded lineup.With 31 other nations competing for the FIFA World Cup, the defending champions face arguably their toughest challenge in recent times. Can the Spaniards retain the World Cup and keep the on-going Golden era intact?Lets take a look at the 5 key players in this years edition.You can see the Top 5 players for other teams here:FIFA World Cup top 5 Players for each country
#5 Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos is undoubtedly an integral part of the Spanish lineup. Owing to the absence of Carles Puyol, the baton has now been passed to the Real Madrid defender to lead the defensive line. Ramos is the most experienced defender in La Rojas’ squad with 115 caps for the national side. Having won the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and the Euro twice with Spain, his familiarity with glory and pressure would prove handy to Spain as such familiarity doesn’t exist among other nations.
He is a complete defender having all the qualities to excel in modern-day football. His strength coupled with his aerial abilities makes him a threat in both attacking and defending set-pieces. The Spanish defence has been under the scanner for a while now and there isn’t a better stage for the Real Madrid man to step up and answer the critics.
Ramos is on an exquisite run of form, scoring 3 decisive headers in the UEFA Champions League, including the one in the final which took the game into extra time and eventually handing Real Madrid the win. And he will be looking to extend the on-going purple patch into the World Cup and should he succeed in doing so, La Rojas’ defence may not leave Casillas much to worry about.
#4 Xavi
It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Spain are very fortunate to have Xavi Hernandez in their star-studded squad as he is one of his kind. The Catalan has been through despair, defeat and hardship along with the national side in his early years and is one of the first few bricks laid in the foundation of this successful squad.
A player of Xavi’s calibre is exactly what a team needs at this level of the competition. Calmness, composure and absorbing pressure with equanimity is what that separates Xavi from any other midfielder in the world. Owing to his age, it is no secret that there is physical deterioration but his passing and distribution more than makes up for it. With 131 caps for Spain, Xavi is second only to Casillas as the most capped player for Spain
Surprisingly, Xavi had an average season at Barcelona and doubts regarding his ability to perform at a high level have already crept in. Nonetheless, the on-field presence of Xavi Hernandez in the decorated midfield of Xabi Alonso and Andres Iniesta will remain critical for Spain. And the experience he brings would be an invaluable asset to Del Bosque’s men.
#3 Diego Costa
The attacking prowess of Spain would largely depend on this man. Having hit a purple patch this season, scoring 36 goals in all competitions, Costa would be ambitious to extend his run of form into the World Cup. The strike force of Spain has always been led by big names (Raul Gonzalez, Fernando Torres and David Villa to name a few) and the expectations of Costa are of a similar magnitude.
Costa is a jack of all trades and a master of none. He isn’t blessed with blistering pace or exquisite dribbling skills but is a real menace to the defenders owing to his ability to position himself in those little pockets near the 18-yard box. Apart from his positioning, he deploys physical strength to bully the opposition defenders and thus becomes very difficult to dispossess.
Despite having a dream season at Atletico Madrid, Costa’s chances of playing for Spain in front of his home crowd have been hampered owing to a relapse of a hamstring injury. With Torres, whose Liverpool days are history and Villa who isn’t in the best shape either, Del Bosque would be sweating over Costa’s fitness as the Atletico striker could be the last piece in the jigsaw of a champion team.
#2 Iker Casillas
Iker Casillas, the captain of Spain has been the first-choice goalkeeper for over a decade now and is nearly an irreplaceable member for La Rojas. Casillas would be playing his fourth FIFA World Cup and would be yearning to keep hold of the ultimate prize, as what would make him the most illustrious captain in the history of Spanish football.
Fondly known as San Iker (meaning Saint Iker), he experienced World Cup football at a tender age, when he replaced Santiago Canizares in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Casillas put in a string of impressive performances and was instrumental in Spain’s progression to the quarter-finals. He was nicknamed the “Saint” after making 2 crucial saves in the penalty-shootout against Ireland in the Round-of-16. Thus, the FIFA World Cup isn’t a stage alien to Casillas and he would undoubtedly relish the pressure.
Casillas conceded merely 2 goals in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and would be hoping for a similar record in this year’s edition in Brazil. Having lost his place at Real Madrid to Diego Lopez, there seems to be a sense of insecurity and a lack of confidence in the captain that was evident on several occasions this season (the Champions League final being an example).
Iker Casillas would be looking to prove his critics wrong in the grandest stage of them all and thereby lead the Spaniards towards another major triumph.
#1 Andrs Iniesta
Andres Iniesta, the brain of Barcelona and Spain is undoubtedly the most important player of the Spanish squad. Don Andres needs no introduction as he is arguably the best midfielder in the world today. The Catalan would be the most dangerous threat going forward and could yet again prove to be the game-breaker whom La Rojas could bank on.
Manager Vicente Del Bosque described Iniesta as the most complete footballer in the modern era as he is an exquisite attacker and partly offers assistance to the defence. As the ball seems glued to his feet, he is one of the best dribblers of his generation. Iniesta is an excellent passer and offers versatility owing to his ability to play anywhere in the midfield but has predominantly excelled as a central midfielder for both Barelona and Spain.
He is widely known for his ability to score goals of high significance; the goal in the final vs Netherlands which handed Spain their maiden World Cup title being a prime example. He also holds a unique record of never losing a game with both club and country when he is on the score-sheet.
The central midfield of Xavi and Iniesta would be the backbone of Spain’s build-up play and it is no secret that their form would have a direct impact on Spain’s performance in the World Cup. Despite the season ending in despair for the Catalans, Iniesta’s game hasn’t suffered a dip and remains a player who could solely decide Spain’s fate in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
