ROBIN VAN PERSIE, THE NETHERLANDS: Van Persie is one of the hottest players in the world, fresh off a remarkable 30-goal season for Arsenal in 2011-12 and his subsequent big money transfer to Manchester United. A player who’s light on his feet, the Flying Dutchman is dangerous scorer with a startling ability to score highlight reel goals. He’s also a brilliant playmaker, something he doesn’t get enough credit for.

LIONEL MESSI, ARGENTINA: The best player on the planet, Messi makes magic happen, as he’s able to dribble through entire teams at full pace with the ball glued to his feet. The Barcelona star is also renowned for scoring highlight-reel goals and often draws comparison to fellow Argentine icon Diego Maradona. All that’s left for him to do is guide his country to a World Cup title.

CRISTIANO RONALDO, PORTUGAL: Arguably the best player in the world, Ronaldo is coming off an amazing 2011-12 season in which he scored 46 goals in La Liga to help Real Madrid win their first league title in four years. Combining speed, sublime scoring touch and incredible dribbling skills, the Portuguese star is a threat to score every time he gets the ball.

PAPISS CISSE, SENEGAL: One of the most dangerous strikers in England’s Premiership, Cisse is a key player for both club and country. Cisse earned a move to Newcastle in January 2012 from German club Freiburg and wasted little time in announcing himself, scoring 11 goals is 10 games for the Magpies, and forming a lethal partnership with fellow Senegalese Demba Ba.

PARK CHU-YOUNG, SOUTH KOREA: With over 20 goals since making his national team debut in 2005, Park is a key figure for South Korea, and will be expected to lead the line for his country in the Asian qualifiers. He also has something to prove — after making just one appearance during his time at Arsenal, the South Korean forward has a chance to prove he’s a top notch player while at loan with Spain’s Celta Vigo.

RYAN NELSEN, NEW ZEALAND: Nelsen has valuable Premiership experience, although the current Queens Park Rangers defender saw limited action in 2012 with Tottenham. You’d think he would have called it quits after captaining his country at the 2010 World Cup. But at 34, he still has a deep desire to represent New Zealand, and the team could use his experience and expertise on the defensive end.

ATIBA HUTCHINSON, CANADA: As Hutchinson goes, so goes Canada. The PSV Eindhoven midfielder is easily Canada’s best player, combining speed, sublime distribution and playmaking ability. He’s battled injury problems in the past, and Canada has been a completely different team without him in the lineup. But when he’s healthy, he’s a game changer with his individual skills and the way he brings his teammates more into the match.

ALAN DZAGOEV, RUSSIA: The 22-year-old playmaker is considered one of his country’s top prospects. He was one of the very few bright spots for Russia during its dismal Euro 2012 campaign, netting three goals in three games and winning plaudits for his exceptional play.

ANDREA PIRLO, ITALY: The very picture of stylish and cultured football, Pirlo may be the wrong side of 30 but he continues to play at a high level, making all the critics who believe he is over the hill look pretty foolish. The midfield maestro was at the heart of Azzurri’s revival at Euro 2012, pulling the creative strings in an impressive Italian attack, and will be looking to guide his country to more glory in Brazil.

LUKA MODRIC, CROATIA: One of the best creative midfielders in the world, Modric combines sublime possession skills, speed, great on-field vision and deadly free kick expertise. Superb on the ball, the Croatian creator is a match-winner and a game-breaker, a fact not loss on Real Madrid who paid Tottenham over 33 million pounds in transfer fees to lure him to Spain.

BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER, GERMANY: The Bayern Munich star is the archetypal German midfielder: superb on the ball, physical and tough, creative and visionary. An excellent two-way player, Schweinsteiger is one of the best midfielders in the world, capable of dictating the pace of the game on his own thanks to his wide array of skills.

WAYNE ROONEY, ENGLAND: The Manchester United forward is England’s most important player, offering the team a touch of class and goal-scoring power. His pace and explosiveness off the dribble, combined with his predatory skills in the 18-yard box, make him one of the most dangerous forwards in the game today. It’s no exaggeration to say that as Rooney goes, so goes England.