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Youngsters play football in front of a mural of Argentine football player Lionel Messi (left), Brazil's Neymar da Silva Santos Junior (centre) and Portugal's Christiano Ronaldo at a field of Tavares Bastos shantytown (favela) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on June 8, 2014. (AFP)
The Fifa World Cup in Brazil promises to produce a glut of goals as the South American nation reverberates to the Samba beat when the 'beautiful game' keeps the world in a trance for a month.
It is the perfect stage for stars to be born.
Here we showcase some of the key players to watch during the global showpiece.
You can rate from 1 to 10 who will shine brightest in Brazil.
Key players in Group A
Neymar - Brazil
Born: 5/2/1992 - 48 caps
The 100 million dollar Neymar is the most recognisable face of the Brazil side. The 22-year-old carries the hopes of a nation as he attempts to inspire his country's first World Cup triumph on home soil.
The young striker was the star of Brazil's victory in the Confederations Cup last year, finishing with four goals and the Golden Ball as player of the tournament.
The latest holder of Brazil's coveted No.10 jersey, previously worn by World Cup greats such as Pele, Neymar had a mixed first season in Europe after joining Spanish giants Barcelona in a controversial transfer from Santos valued at more than 100 million dollars.
He suffered a foot injury at the end of the season which ruled him out for several weeks, but has looked sharp in Brazil's games leading into the tournament.
Javier Hernandez - Mexico
Born: 1/6/1988 - 61 caps
The 26-year-old Hernandez, known as 'Chicharito' (Little Pea) is Mexico's best-known player after spending the past four years at English giants Manchester United and catching the eye at the 2010 World Cup.
His youthful promise was first put on display at the World Cup in South Africa, where he bagged goals in games against France and Argentina.
Football is part of a proud family tradition however. His father and grandfather played in the World Cups for Mexico.
Hernandez quickly became a fans favourite at Manchester in his first season, contributing key goals during the club's march to the Premier League title and run to the Champions League final.
Luka Modric - Croatia
Born: 9/9/1985 - 75 caps
The diminutive attacking midfielder arrives at the World Cup in the best form of his career after establishing himself as a key part of Real Madrid's Champions League-winning side.
The 28-year-old's vision and creativity will be key to Croatia's chances of progressing to the knockout rounds, although he has sometimes been deployed in a deep-lying defensive role by coach Niko Kovac.
A veteran of the 2006 World Cup, Modric started his career with Dinamo Zagreb before signing for English side Tottenham Hotspur in 2008 when he also emarged as one of the stars of the European Championship.
Modric's childhood was scarred by the Balkans conflict. His family became refugees to escape the Croatian war.
Samuel Eto'o - Cameroon
Born: 10/3/1981 - 115 caps
The grand old man of Cameroon football, Eto'o, 33, will be playing in his fourth World Cup in Brazil, after making his debut one day before his 16th birthday in a 5-0 defeat to Costa Rica. As a 17-year-old, he scored at the 1998 World Cup finals in France.
He is Cameroon's most successful player, having won African Footballer of the Year a record four times while winning the Champions League three times with Barcelona (2) and Inter Milan (1) during a stellar career in European football.
The 33-year-old, reunited with Jose Mourinho after joining Chelsea in 2013, is also a polarizing figure in Cameroon football.
He has twice retired from international football only to be persuaded back by the country's president.
Thiago Silva - Brazil
Born: 22/9/1984 - 45 caps
Arguably the world's best centre back and with his dual role as team captain will become a national hero if the team pull off their sixth title.
Silva converted from right winger to central defender while playing in Brazil, signed for FC Porto in Portugal but was mainly kept in the reserve team and then caught tuberculosis when he moved to Dynamo Moscow. That kept him out for six months.
Silva returned to Brazil and became a defensive star with Fluminense and his career took a meteoric turn.
In 2008, he joined AC Milan for 10 million euros and in 2012 made a 42 million euro move to Paris St Germain where he is also team captain.
Key players in Group B
Sergio Ramos - Spain
Born: 30/03/1980 - 115 caps
The World Cup has really got under Sergio Ramos's skin - literally. Real Madrid's defender has the World Cup tattooed on his right calf - and the Champions League - his goal sent last month's final into extra-time - on his left.
A product of Sevilla's youth academy, he is only 28 but already is a world champion, a double European champion, and now a Champions League winner. Any more success and he will need extra limbs for his questionable body art.
A bullfighting afficionado - he has celebrated victories with a matador's cape - Ramos, although a defensive kingpin, is adept at running rings round defences, as Group B rivals Netherlands and Australia are about to discover.
Fernando Torres - Spain
Born: 20/03/1984 - 107 caps
Spain's third highest goalscorer, man of the match and scorer of the only goal in the 2008 European Championship final against Germany, and on the mark again in the Euro 2012 final, Fernando Torres' international credentials were rock solid.
Yet the 30-year-old only played a bit part in Spain's 2010 World Cup success, and was left out in the international cold for 11 months from the 2013 Confedereations Cup, as his form dipped alarmingly with Chelsea who paid a reported 50 million euros for him.
But with Diego Costa under an injury cloud, Spain need Torres at his deadly best in Brazil. He described his La Roja return as "a spectacular prize" - "I feel good, very strong in my last games so we will have to see if that carries," he says.
Alexis Sanchez - Chile
Born: 19/12/1988 - 65 caps
Barcelona's top drawer winger Alexis Sanchez, who in another life washed cars to put food in his mouth, arrives at his second World Cup with his football star shining bright and Manchester United, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain jostling to secure his services.
Sanchez, whose silky skills England rattled in a Wembley friendly last year, has a street named in his honour in his hometown of Tocopilla.
The 25-year-old, who looks to have overcome a late shoulder injury scare, burst onto the international scene at the 2010 World Cup, his nose for a goal a key component in Chile's armour to deflect opposing flak.
Mile Jedinak - Australia
Born: 03/08/1984 - 43 caps
From filing papers in his uncle's Sydney office, to captaining Crystal Palace in the Premier League, combative midfielder Mile Jedinak has enjoyed a remarkable rise from humble beginnings.
Now his sterling work as Palace skipper has earned the 29-year-old the Australia captaincy ahead of Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano, veterans of Australia's last three World Cups.
He will be leading the lowest ranked team in Brazil into battle against world champions Spain, Netherlands and Chile.
Irrespective of how he fares in Brazil his reputation as a fans' favourite at Selhurst Park is assured after his 89th minute goal on the final day of the 2012/13 season earned Palace, then in the Championship, a place in the play-offs and a route to the fast lane of English football.
Robin van Persie - Netherlands
Born: 06/08/1983 - 85 caps
Luckily for the Dutch, Robin van Persie chose to ignore his artist parents' advice to follow their example and take up a paintbrush and easel.
The world-class forward arrives in Brazil ready to wreak havoc after a "complicated" injury-hit season at Manchester United.
He emerged from European qualifying as top scorer with 11 goals, and captains the Dutch after coach Louis van Gaal's change of heart.
Holland's all time top scorer he failed to leave a mark at the 2010 World Cup, mustering just one goal despite Holland making it to the final.
Arriving at United after becoming a fan's favourite at Arsenal he is the Premier League's tenth highest scorer of all time.
Now is the time for him to light up the international stage.
Key players in Group C
Keisuke Honda - Japan
Born: 13/6/1986, Caps 56
Keisuke Honda was one of Japan's leading lights in South Africa four years ago - his two goals helped Japan reach the last 16 - and will again be central to his nation's hopes in Brazil.
Honda, 27, endured a disappointing campaign with AC Milan having joined the Italian giants from CSKA Moscow in January but is aiming to put those struggles behind him on the grand stage.
Deployed primarily out on the right at club level, Honda is the hub of the national side and is hoping a return to a more central role will allow him to flourish under coach Alberto Zaccheroni's more attack-minded approach.
Yaya Toure - Ivory Coast
Born: 13/5/1983, Caps 94
Yaya Toure, the reigning three-time African Footballer of the Year will be crucial to Ivorian hopes in Brazil.
Toure, 31, was the Elephants' second-leading scorer behind Salomon Kalou in qualifying for the finals and terrorised Premier League defences this past season to the tune of 20 goals to help Manchester City regain the English title.
A colossus in the middle of the park, Toure's marauding runs from deep and blistering strike, not to mention his imposing physique, will present quite a headache for opposing sides seeking to shackle the driving force of the Ivorian team.
With Ivory Coast's golden generation turning decidely grey Brazil seemingly represents one final chance for the midfielder to leave his mark on the world stage.
James Rodriguez - Colombia
Born: 12/7/1991, Caps 22
In the absence of Radamel Falcao, the spotlight turns to midfield maestro James Rodriguez to lead the Colombian challenge in Brazil.
After a slow start to life at Monaco, Rodriguez shone in his first season in France, where he was named to the Ligue 1 team of the season following his tally of nine goals and 12 assists that helped the principality club to a second-place finish.
Nicknamed 'El Nuevo Pibe' (the new kid), a nod to the original 'El Pibe' Carlos Valderrama, there are in truth few similarities between the two, neither in playing style nor appearance, but the more direct and forward-thinking Rodriguez will be Colombia's creator-in-chief this summer.
Kostas Mitroglou - Greece
Born: 12/3/1988, Caps 32
The firepower of Kostas Mitroglou propelled Greece into a second straight finals appearance but since netting three times over the two-legged play-off with Romania the striker's fallen on hard times.
A move from Olympiacos, where he had set the Greek league alight, to Premier League side Fulham resulted in relegation as he failed to find the net after making just one start following persistent knee troubles.
The most expensive Greek player in history at reportedly £12.5m ($20.6 million, 15.3 million euros), 'Mitrogoal' poses a threat with both feet and is strong aerially, which are crucial strengths in a goal-shy Greek attack.
Eiji Kawashima - Japan
Born: 20/03/1983, Caps - 56
It's not often a goalkeeper is singled out as a key player but Japan's Eiji Kawashima has the ability to be a star at the World Cup.
Kawashima is one of only two Japanese goalkeepers ever to ply their trade in Europe and although he may be earning his keep in the relatively modest surrounds of the Belgian League, he has been mighty impressive there.
The 31-year-old headed to Belgian after an impressive last World Cup, where he conceded only two goals in four matches.
Twice named Most Valuable Player at Lierse, Kawashima's goalkeeping could be the difference between progression and an early exit in a group that is widely expected to be tight.
Key players in Group D
Steven Gerrard - England
Born: 30/05/1980 - 111 caps
The 34-year-old England captain has been rejuvenated since being moved into a deep-lying midfield holding role by Liverpool coach Brendan Rodgers and is expected to operate in a similar position in Brazil.
Gathering the ball from his centre-backs and spraying passes forward in the manner of Italy's Andrea Pirlo, Gerrard will be the man who sets the tempo for England.
Liverpool had a momentous 2013-14 season, but Gerard's untimely slip in a game against Chelsea gifted Manchester City the momentum in the title race.
He also has unfinished business at the World Cup, after disappointments in 2006 and 2010, and is likely to be appearing at the tournament for the last time.
Luis Suarez - Uruguay
Born: 24/01/1987 - 76 Caps
Suarez, 27, should be heading to Brazil as one of the most feared strikers in world football after an astonishing season with Liverpool.
But a knee operation after pulling up in training with Uruguay has put his tournament in doubt.
With 31 goals in only 33 games, he inspired Liverpool's charge to a surprising second-place finish in the Premier League and was elected Player of the Year by both his peers and the Football Writers' Association.
The former Ajax player earned international notoriety at the last World Cup after using his hand to block a header by Ghana's Dominic Adiyiah in the quarter-finals and then celebrating exuberantly when Asamoah Gyan squandered the subsequent penalty.
He played a starring role in Uruguay's 2011 Copa America success.
Mario Balotelli - Italy
Born: 12/08/1990 - 30 caps
The World Cup will provide Balotelli with a welcome distraction after a season to forget with AC Milan.
The 23-year-old striker lost his 100 per cent record from the penalty spot during the campaign and was unable to prevent his side from finishing a disappointing eighth in Serie A.
The former Manchester City striker also endured turbulence in his private life, having been obliged to undergo a DNA test to prove that he was the father of a girl born to a former girlfriend.
His displays at the 2012 European Championship, where he scored four goals, confirmed his status as Italy's number-one striker. He continues to be known as much for his controversial character as for his footballing prowess.
Joel Campbell - Costa Rica
Born: 26/06/1992 - 32 caps
If Costa Rica are to pull off an upset in Group D, inspiration is likely to come from the feet of Arsenal forward Campbell.
The livewire 21-year-old joined the London club in 2011 but is still awaiting his competitive debut, having been successively loaned out to Lorient, Real Betis and Olympiakos.
He enjoyed an impressive 2013-14 campaign with Olympiakos, notably scoring a fine individual goal in a shock 2-0 win at home to Manchester United in the Champions League.
A skilful, left-footed player, Campbell typically plays on the right for Olympiakos, but may be used as a central striker at the World Cup.
Wayne Rooney - England
Born: 24/10/1985 - 92 caps
Like teammate Steven Gerrard, Rooney has experienced only heartbreak at his two previous World Cups.
In 2006 he broke his foot shortly before the tournament and was then sent off for stamping on Portugal's Ricardo Carvalho, while four years later he again failed to score as England went out in the last 16.
He will be one of the most high-profile players in Brazil, but since bursting onto the scene as a teenager at Euro 2004, he has been to three major tournaments without leaving a mark.
Now 28, he should be at the peak of his powers, but the pressure to prove his worth at international level has never been greater.
Key players in Group E
Karim Benzema - France
Born: 19/12/1987, Caps 63
The back injury to his close friend Franck Ribery places even more pressure on Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, the only other player with real international cachet, to lead the team both up front and by example.
A return of 19 goals in 63 appearances is poor by top international strikers standards.
He failed to shine at his last major championships, Euro 2012, but a productive season with Real, where he found Carlo Ancelotti's less abrasive style of coaching more to his taste than predecessor Jose Mourinho's, gives Didier Deschamps reason to believe he will shine in Brazil.
Blaise Matuidi - France
Born: 9/4/1987, Caps 22
Even though Paris Saint Germain's former owners were reluctant to buy him according to former coach Antoine Kombouare, Blaise Matuidi has shown the 10 million euros they paid St Etienne in July 2011 has been a wise investment.
He is another who flourished under Ancelotti's coaching when the Italian replaced Kombouare in January 2012.
The son of Angolan immigrants, who fled a civil war and came to France via the Democratic Republic of Congo, his dynamic performances from midfield have been instrumental in PSG's two league titles in two seasons and Deschamps will be looking to him to break up the fluidity of their opponents' attacks.
Antonio Valencia - Ecuador
Born: 04/08/1985, Caps 60
A lot of pressure has been heaped on winger Antonio Valencia's shoulders going into the finals.
Coach Reinaldo Rueda appointed him captain in the wake of his best friend Christian Benitez's sudden death last year and if his under par performances for Manchester United last season was a reaction to the tragedy then his country will expect him to react more positively when he dons the national shirt.
One of the sole remaining players from the 2006 squad that reached the last 16, he showed he is on edge by reacting badly to Raheem Sterling's clumsy tackle in the 2-2 friendly draw with England last week and got sent off.
Wilson Palacios - Honduras
Born: 29/07/1984, Caps 94
A close friend of Valencia's from their days at Wigan Athletic together but unlike the winger Wilson Palacios's big money move, to Tottenham Hotspur, for £12 million failed to really work out.
A solid unspectacular midfield enforcer, who presently plies his trade with Stoke City, he has nevertheless been instrumental in the impoverished country reaching two successive World Cup finals.
Wilson Palacios of Honduras in action during their Road to Brazil match at BBVA Compass Stadium on June 1, 2014 in Houston, Texas. (GETTY)
Made World Cup finals history in 2010 when he and brothers Jerry and Johnny became the first sibling trio to be selected in a squad.
Jerry, a striker, has made it into the squad this time too and if there is one thing Wilson wishes to achieve it is that either him or his sibling score a goal as a tribute to another brother, Edwin, murdered in 2009.
"Everything we do is for our little brother in heaven," he said.
Valon Behrami - Switzerland
Born: 19/04/1985, Caps 48
While there is a lot of burgeoning young talent in the Swiss side, Valon Behrami provides a steady presence and his ball winning skills are priceless, although don't expect too many goals from him as he has just two for his adopted country.
Kosovo-born he was more interested in athletics as a youngster but switching sports proved a blessing and he's flourished since returning to play in Italy in 2011, first with Fiorentina and then with Napoli.
This is his third World Cup finals, though he will hope for a happier experience than the one in 2010 where he was sent off early in the group game with Chile.
Key players in Group F:
Lionel Messi - Argentina
Born: 24/6/1987 - Caps 85
There's not really a lot to be added that hasn't already been said about the most mercurial talent of his generation.
Lionel Messi is undoubtedly the greatest player the world has seen since his compatriot Diego Maradona, yet he has thus far failed to light up a World Cup with his outrageous skills.
He has perhaps taken a step backwards since the last World Cup in terms of his game-winning brilliance but that could work in his favour and allow the Barcelona star to shine with a little less of the spotlight on him - and a touch more on his club team-mate Neymar.
Messi has a magician's left foot, dribbles like a puppy, has the acceleration of a sprinter and pinpoint accuracy with his shooting.
Edin Dzeko - Bosnia
Born: 17/3/1986 - Caps 62
His career hasn't always gone as he'd have wished it to since joining Manchester City in 2011 but Edin Dzeko will have a chance to shine on the world stage.
Unlike at his club side where he has often warmed the bench, Dzeko is the undisputed first choice forward for Bosnia.
His international goal record is better than one in every two games while his record at Wolfsburg, where he won the Bundesliga, was almost 0.6 goals per game.
A tall, powerful forward who is dominant in the air while maintaining surprisingly good feet, Dzeko is without a doubt Bosnia's most dangerous goal-threat.
Miralem Pjanic - Bosnia
Born: 2/4/1990 - Caps 48
Still only 24, Miralem Pjanic is coming into the prime of his footballing career and already he has turned himself into a crucial element in Bosnia's success.
A versatile attacking midfielder he is known for his dribbling, vision, passing and creativity.
He was a highly sought-after prospect when leaving his formative club Metz in 2008 following their relegation from the French top flight.
He ended up at Roma via Lyon and his star has soared since arriving in the Italian capital.
Having grown up mostly in Luxembourg, where he played youth football, he could have played for them but Pjanic was always adamant he would represent the country of his parents.
Victor Moses - Nigeria
Born: 12/12/1990 - Caps 17
Quick, strong and willing to take on players, Victor Moses can play either on the wing or up front.
Although born in Nigeria, he went to England as an 11-year-old asylum seeker after his parents had been killed in rioting in his homeland.
Moses quickly made a name for himself in junior football in south London and went on to represent his adopted homeland at youth levels.
But Moses, whose career has stalled since a move to Chelsea two years ago, was impatient to catch the eye of England's senior selectors and in 2011 opted to represent his homeland, although for various reasons he would not turn out for the Super Eagles until a year later.
Ashkan Dejagah - Iran
Born: 5/7/1986 - Caps 13
Yet another player with dual nationality who could have played for another country, Ashkan Dejagah picked Iran over Germany.
Dejagah was born to Iranian parents in Tehran but moved to Germany when only a year old due to the fall-out from the deposition of the Shah and the Islamic Revolution.
He played for Germany's youth teams right up to the under-21s but failed to make the step up to the full national side.
So when Iran came calling in 2012, when he was already 25, Dejagah took advantage of the old FIFA rules that allowed him to switch nationalities despite having played for Germany's under-21s beyond his 21st birthday.
The move has worked well for him as he quickly became an integral cog in Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz's team.
Key players in Group G:
Philipp Lahm - Germany
Born: 11/11/1983, Caps 106
Injury to Michael Ballack thrust the Germany captaincy on Lahm before the last World Cup and the right-back has barely looked back since taking over the arm-band.
An ankle knock during the German Cup final for Bayern Munich hampered Lahm's preparations for Brazil, but the 30-year-old will lead 'die Mannschaft' out for their opener against Portugal.
Lahm has shown his flexibility this season after being switched from right-back to defensive midfield for Bayern, an experiment Germany coach Joachim Loew has copied.
With five goals to his credit, Lahm has a knack of scoring key strikes for Germany, claiming the first goal at the 2006 World Cup and putting them into the Euro 2008 final with a 90th-minute winner against Turkey.
Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal
Born: 05/02/1985, Caps 110
The 2013 Ballon d'Or winner needs little introduction but he faces a race to be fit for the World Cup.
Having picked up hamstring and knee injuries for Champions League winners Real Madrid, the first challenge for Ronaldo is to be fit for these finals.
His stunning hat-trick against Sweden in last November's play-off booked Paulo Bento's side their Brazil berth as he scored all four goals in the two-legged play-off.
He netted twice in Portugal's 5-1 friendly win over Cameroon to take his tally to 49 goals, becoming his country's all-time leading goalscorer.
He has a golden chance to get Portugal's campaign off to a flying start in the opening match against Germany in Salvador, which could be a key factor in deciding the group.
Jermaine Jones - USA
Born 03/11/1981, Caps 43
The 32-year-old Frankfurt-born defensive midfielder turned his back on Germany after winning the last of his three caps in friendlies for 'Die Mannschaft' in 2008.
He has already made more than 40 appearances for the USA since 2010 and scored two goals.
The Besiktas star could return to haunt his old side when Jurgen Klinsmann's Stars and Stripes play Germany in Recife on June 26 in their final Group G clash.
Klinsmann turned to Jones, a powerful box-to-box midfielder who is strong on the tackle, to put some steel in the USA's midfield and he helped his country beat a weakened Germany side 4-3 win in a friendly in Washington in June 2013.
Kevin-Prince Boateng - Ghana
Born 6/3/1987 - 12 caps
Heavily tattooed and with a glamorous television presenter girlfriend, Berlin-Born Boateng is Schalke's rock'n'roll attacking midfielder.
Despite rising through Germany's junior ranks, he opted to play for Ghana, the country of his father, and helped the Black Stars reach the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup.
He is set to face his half-brother, Bayern Munich centre-back Jerome Boateng, when Ghana play Germany in Fortaleza on June 21.
Having made his debut as an 18-year-old at Hertha Berlin, Boateng won the 2011 Serie A title during three seasons with AC Milan.
He hit the headlines in January 2013 for walking off during Milan's friendly at Pro Patria because of racial abuse.
Miroslav Klose - Germany
Born 09/06/1978, Caps 132
Having turned 36 just before the World Cup kicks off, Poland-born Klose travels to Brazil as the only recognised striker in the Germany squad.
Having scored 14 goals at three World Cup finals, Klose, Germany's joint top-scorer, can break the original Brazilian Ronaldo's all-time record of 15 goals in Brazil.
His five goals at the 2006 World Cup won him the golden boot award having finished joint second four years earlier in Japan and South Korea.
His header against Armenia on Friday left Klose as Germany's all-time top-scorer with 69 goals in 132 appearances to break Gerd Mueller's record.
Key players in Group H:
Alexander Kerzhakov - Russia
Born: 27/11/1982 - 81 caps
Alexander Kerzhakov is the only member of Russia's squad with experience of the World Cup finals.
He made made one appearance as a substitute in 2002, the last time Russia qualified.
This time, Russia will really need the goals of the 31-year-old all-time leading scorer for Zenit St Petersburg who has scored well over 200 goals in all competitions.
Coach Fabio Capello made him Russia's number one striker when he took over and dropped Andrei Arshavin and Roman Pavyluchenko.
Eden Hazard - Belgium
Born: 7/1/1991 - 44 caps
One of the most brilliant wingers in European football, and sometimes one of the laziest, according to critics, it is time for Eden Hazard to show his worth on the international stage.
Hazard, who comes from a footballing family, is known for his fearlessness in attacking opposing defences and the speed with which he can control the ball.
He made his debut for Belgium at the age of 17 and moved to Chelsea in the English Premier League in 2012 for a reported 32 million pounds ($54 million) after inspiring Lille to the 2011 French title.
There is much talk of a move to Paris St Germain if he can inspire Belgium to greater things at the World Cup.
Axel Witsel - Belgium
Born: 12/1/1989 - 47 caps
Ever present in Belgium's qualifying campaign in which the team won seven games on the trot, the 25-year-old Axel Witsel has become a silent force in the national team's rise.
Witsel left Belgium's Standard Liege for Zenit St Petersburg in 2009 in the wake of a horror tackle which badly injured an Anderlecht rival and left Witsel's family facing threats.
But he has won his way back into Belgian hearts with assured, powerful performances in midfield, setting up Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku for marauding attacks.
The Russian side paid about 50 million euros for him and anyone who wants Witsel after the World Cup will have to match that.
Islam Slimani - Algeria
Born: 18/6/1988 - 20 caps
The Sporting Lisbon striker is one of the Algerians being keenly watched at the World Cup and one of the reasons noone is taking the Desert Foxes for granted now.
The 25-year-old number nine was bought for less than 15,000 euros when he moved from Algerian third division side Cheraga to first division Belouizdad in 2009.
After becoming Sporting Lisbon's number one striker, there is now talk of a 10 million euro transfer.
A regular in the Algerian side for two years, he is known for his power and occasional hot-headed outbursts that coach Vahid Halihodzic has tried to curtail.
Son Heung-Min - South Korea
Born 8/7/1992 - 24 caps
Son Heung-Min of German side Bayer Leverkusen is one of a new generation that South Korea's 2002 World Cup hero Hong Myong-Bo can bring a new era of glory to the Asian side.
Leverkusen paid a reported club record 10 million euros to bring the 21-year-old forward from Hamburg a year ago.
His goals, including a hat-trick against Hamburg, have helped them to qualify for the 2014-15 Champions League.
Son's father also played for the national team and he has started as a ball boy at FC Seoul.
He dropped out of school to join Hamburg's academy and turned down a chance to play for South Korea at the London Olympics so he could concentrate on his Bundesliga career.
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