GABRIEL JESUS

While already a common name in most Premier League households, scoring bags of goals for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola in their title triumph, The Brazilian is the youngest in Tite’s squad at just 21.

His explosive debut for Brazil against Ecuador back in September 2016, where he scored a brace and set another goal up in a 3-0 win, signalled a diamond in the rough at Brazilian club Palmeiras. A further three goals and three assists in the following five games in qualifying saw Manchester City splash close to €32 Million on the starlet.

 

 

Jesus hasn’t had his name in lights just yet, but under the tutelage of Sergio Aguero at club level and Roberto Firmino and Neymar for The Seleção, Jesus is in good company when it comes to learning his trade on the big stage.

Jesus has a special concoction of speed, skill snd an exquisite eye for the corners of the net. Switzerland and Serbia’s teams are especially built with sturdy centre-backs that lack the movability to deal with a player like the Brazilian firecracker.

Can he perform on the biggest stage yet?

NEYMAR

A man who needs no introduction.

One of the best footballers going around and one of the biggest brands across the globe. Having traded Barcelona for a luxurious life in the hustle and bustle of Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar is taking Ligue 1 for a walk in preparation for the World Cup.

The Brazilian was in extraordinary form in qualifying scoring and assisting in all but one match as Brazil rocketed to the top of CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying.

 

 

With 46 goal contributions in 30 matches this season for PSG, Neymar’s engines were peaking heading into the World Cup before a metatarsal fracture ended his season. He is undergoing a steady recovery and will be fit for the opening game against Switzerland.

Lucky it’s good news for Neymar and Brazil, after a back injury following a high knee to his spine ended his World Cup in Brazil against Colombia. Neymar will see Russia as a chance to finally go the distance in front of the world.

XHERDAN SHAQIRI

Back in Brazil 2014, Xerdan Shaqiri was a Champions League semi-finalist with Bayern Munich and was going toe-to-toe with the best on a regular basis.

Besides a remarkable overhead kick in the 2016 European Championships in France, Shaqiri’s club career has been in limbo at Stoke City in the English Premier League. Since his move to Stoke, the Swiss winger has lost his shine.

 

 

Despite a respectable number of goals and assist this Premier League season, Shaqiri’s Stoke couldn’t avoid the drop, being relegated for the first time in ten years.

Nevertheless, Shaqiri remains one of Switzerland’s most important outlets in attack with seven contributions in eleven qualifying matches. Switzerland are built off a brilliant defensive unit, keeping seven clean sheets on the road to Russia.

Shaqiri will be used as a counter-attacking lynchpin under coach Vladimir Petković and still has the capability to blitz by hapless defenders with a bag full of tricks.

SERGEJ MILINKOVIC-SAVIC

One of the most talked about young Serbian players is Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The 23-year has represented Serbia at youth level and earned his first cap for his country in Novemeber last year in a friendly against China.

He may not be a stalwart in the Serbian side, but with an abundance of technical skill and mastery vision for passing and for goal, Milinkovic-Savic is a danger man if he starts or is brought on from the bench.

 

 

A stunning season for S.S. Lazio in the Serie A saw him nab 12 Serie A goals and four assists. He has a capability of dictating tempo deeper in midfield whilst also having the ability to make forays forward and make an impact in the final third.

A powerful shot, a deft touch and bravery in the tackle department makes Milinkovic-Savic one of the most talented midfielders in Group E.

BRYAN RUIZ

He’s proven himself in the best leagues and on the biggest stage.

Bryan Ruiz is Costa Rica’s conquistador roaming across the front three with creativity in immense proportions. 

The Los Ticos captain plies his trade in Portugal for Sporting Lisbon, Ruiz has enjoyed a rather successful year finishing despite just missing out on a semi-final place in the Europa League, they finished third in the Primeira Liga table.

 

 

The skipper produces when it matters. Ruiz led Costa Rica through to the quarter-final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup including scoring the winner against Italy in their third group game to cement a spot in the knockout rounds.

Ruiz has played in over four different positions this season for Sporting showing his extreme versatility and proves just how much a tricky customer he can be. From either wing to centre-forward and even holding midfield, Ruiz can penetrate defences from anywhere.

The 31-year-old had a total of six goal contributions in all of qualifying for Costa Rica indicating that he is used deeper than expeceted. Ruiz has a never-ending engine showing his usefulness as a left and right midfielder offering cover in defence as well as initiating Costa Rican attacks.

The skipper produces when it matters. Ruiz led Costa Rica through to the quarter-final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup including scoring the winner against Italy in their third group game to cement a spot in the knockout rounds.