The multiple Ballon d’Or winner will be the key to Argentina’s success in this FIFA World Cup. The Argentine wizard, hailed by Diego Maradona as his successor, has excellent dribbling ability. His ability to run with the ball will give sleepless nights to all the top defenders. He leads Argentina’s devastating attack that includes Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain.
International Matches: 86
International Goals: 38
The best player in the world right now will lead the attack for Portugal. The Portugese captain is an excellent dribbler, shooter and header of the ball. The onus will be on the 2014 Ballon d’Or winner to delivr the goods for his country. The Real Madrid winger is the leading goal scorer in Europe this season and has scored a record 17 goals in Madrid’s victorious Champions League campaign.
International Matches: 111
International Goals: 49
3. Neymar
Dubbed by many as the future of Brazilian football, he guided Brazil to the Confederations Cup title by beating Spain in the final last year. He moved to Barcelona at the beginning of this season but failed to impress the fans in his first year. But for Brazil, he has been a revelation as he scores and assists at a ratio of a goal per game. With a variety of skills at his command, Brazil’s hopes rest on his shoulders. Many believe this is going to be his World Cup.
International Matches: 49
International Goals: 31
4. Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez should be heading to Brazil as one of the most feared strikers in world 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 was elected Player of the Year by both his peers and the Football Writers’ Association. He played a starring role in Uruguay’s 2011 Copa America success.
International Matches: 77
International Goals: 38
The 36-year-old veteran German striker will go into his fourth World Cup as the only frontline striker in the squad. Having scored 14 goals in the three World Cups prior to this edition, Klose is at present just one goal short of Brazilian Ronaldo’s all-time record of 15 goals. Klose won the golden boot in the 2006 World Cup with five goals. His chase for the elusive record makes him one of the forwards to watch out for in this edition.
International Matches: 132
International Goals: 69
Sergio Aguero is one of the striker who has the ability to give the likes of Messi, Ronaldo and Suarez a run for their money. He was in a rich vein of form for Manchester City inspite of missing some of their matches due to an injury. He is always hungry for goals and is very consistent with his finishes. He shares the frontline along with Messi and Higuain and that makes Argentina the most feared team in the tournament.
International Matches: 51
International Goals: 21
7. Diego Costa
The Brazilian born striker, who chose to play for Spain, will be hoping to continue his goal scoring form which he showed for Atletico Madrid. He was a key part of Atletico Madrid’s attack, scoring 27 league goals as they won the La Liga title in 2014. He will be the spearhead of Spanish attack ahead of Fernando Torres and David Villa. He has the pace and technique to beat any defender and has a decent long range scoring ability.
International Matches: 4
International Goals: 0
The forward is ready to wreak havoc after a complicated injury-hit season with Manchester United. He emerged from European qualifying as top scorer with 11 goals, and captains the Dutch in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He is Netherlands’ all time goal scorer in International matches. He had a rather poor 2010 World Cup and 2012 Euros but he will be looking to steer Netherlands to their maiden World Cup crown.
International Matches: 84
International Goals: 43
Mario Balotelli has been controversies favourite child since his debut. He is the first choice striker for Italy and look to take his side to the championship in the tournament. The World Cup will provide Balotelli with a welcome distraction after a season to forget with AC Milan. The striker lost his 100 percent record from the penalty spot during the campaign and was unable to prevent his side from finishing a disappointing eighth in Serie A.
International Matches: 30
International Goals: 12
10. Karim Benzema
The back injury to Franck Ribery and his subsequent exit from the World Cup team places even more pressure on Benzema. The big striker has had a very good season with his club Real Madrid and that should give Didier Deschamps enough reasons to believe he will deliver in Brazil. He was in red hot form during the warm ups and he will look to carry it into the World Cup.
International Matches: 66
International Goals: 21
With this, the list of top ten Forwards to watch out for in the World Cup is complete and there are some names like Wayne Rooney, Fred, Dider Drogba and Edinson Cavani which were hard to leave out.