32 nations will take 736 players to Brazil this summer to compete for the World Cup, arguably the most popular sporting spectacle next to the Olympics. Yet only one side can reign supreme and only a handful of players will set the imagination of fans alight.

Some players will be at their highest performance during the championship, and are all key figures when it comes to figuring out every country’s odds to win the  World Cup edition . Ronaldo will be one of the best players at the championship but there are several others battling him to be named the best player at the World Cup.

Here’s our run down of the top 10 players at the 2014 World Cup.

10) Paul Pogba, France

Allowing Paul Pogba to leave Old Trafford could rank as one Sir Alex Ferguson’s biggest mistakes. Since swapping Manchester for Turin, Pogba has established himself as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents. Brazil is ready made for Pogba to explode onto the international scene.

9) Mario Gotze, Germany

Since moving to Bayern Munich from Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund last summer, Gotze has shown flashes of playmaking brilliance yet he’s not an automatic starter in Guardiola’s team of Bavarian superstars. However, he’s a key man if Germany hope to become the first European team to lift the World Cup on South American territory.

7) Sergio Aguero, Argentina

Despite injury blighting Aguero’s season, he’s still bagged 16 goals in 21 league games. His fitness has been pivotal to Manchester City’s challenge for the Premier League title. Aguero’s fitness will also be vital for Argentina at the World Cup. There are few better goal scorers in the world when Aguero is fit and firing.

6) Eden Hazard, Belgium

Hazard is perhaps the brightest star of Belgium’s current golden generation. The Chelsea winger has been mesmerizing defences in the Premier League this season and has all the ability to lead a Belgian charge in Brazil this summer.

5) Neymar, Brazil

Whilst  Neymar has so far failed to live up to his controversial £50m+ move to Barcelona last summer he’s still a world class player- just not on the same level of Messi or Ronaldo. The 22-year-old winger carries the hopes of the host nation on his shoulders. If he can play to the level he produced during last summer’s Confederations Cup, the pacey and skilful Neymar will cement his name in Brazilian and World Cup folklore.

4) Diego Costa, Spain   

Diego Costa has burst onto the scene this season. His plethora of goals has been the driving force behind Atletico Madrid’s challenge for the Champions League and La Liga titles. The powerful Brazilian born finisher will be representing Spain this summer and his clinical finishing coupled with Spain’s dynamic, creative midfield makes him a firm favourite to win the Golden Boot.

3) Luis Suarez, Uruguay

The Uruguayan has been in scintillating form this season. Liverpool’s talisman has netted 31 league goals this season and his stunning form has seen him talked about in the same breath as Ronaldo and Messi.

2) Leo Messi, Argentina

We’re blessed to live in an age where Messi and Ronaldo compete for the title of the best player in the world. Messi is one of the greatest players to ever play the game. Yet by the Argentine’s incredibly high standards he hasn’t had the best of seasons- this is despite contributing 41 goals to a rather lacklustre Barcelona side. He is, however, the jewel in Argentina’s crown and it’s highly conceivable that Messi will add ‘World Cup winner’ to his impressive CV this summer.

1) Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal

Where to begin with Cristiano Ronaldo? Not only is he the best player on the planet right now but he might also be the best player to ever play the game. He heads into the World Cup in tremendous form having scored 50 goals for Real Madrid this season. The stage is set for the Portuguese superstar to take this World Cup by storm.

Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments section below.