Players to Know: #2 Lionel Messi

Forward, Argentina

Here’s a stat for you. In the 2011-12 campaign for Spain’s La Liga, Lionel Messi tallied 50 goals in 36 games for Barcelona; in doing so he outscored 13 of the league’s 20 teams by himself. On March 16 of this year, Messi became FC Barcelona's all-time scoring leader with 371 goals breaking a record that had held since 1927. He was only 26 years old on that day. Messi scores goals in many shapes and sizes, and they come so frequently it's as if he were playing FIFA '14 on easy mode. How is this possible?

Players to Know: #3 Luis Suarez

Forward, Uruguay

Luis Suarez kind of looks like the infamous "Most Interesting Man In The World". While he probably can't speak fluent French in Russian, Suarez may indeed be the most interesting footballer in the world. He will undoubtedly be one of the best players to get off a plane in Brazil, but the Luis Suarez story starts with his baggage.

Players to Know: #4 Neymar

Forward, Brazil

Meet Brazil's new golden boy, the player tasked with leading El Selecao to glory on home turf this summer. Neymar da Silva Santos Junior has assumed the mantle from a long line of Brazilian greats such as Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka and, of course, Pele. These are heavy expectations to place on the shoulder of a 22-year-old, and it's an open question whether Neymar is up to the task. One thing I can say confidently though, is that whether he succeeds or fails, Neymar will do it in some style.

Players to Know: #7 Arjen Robben

Midfielder, Netherlands

In youth leagues, there's that unstoppable player who could kick the ball past opponents and out-run them to score. There's that basketball player who always crossed over and drove to his right. Their coaches would tell them, "Son, if you ever want to make it in the big leagues, you're going to have develop another move." Arjen Robben, if he's so inclined, could look these people in the eye and laugh.

Players to Know: #8 Andrea Pirlo

Midfielder, Italy

Conductor. Technician. Maestro. High praise but also apt descriptors for Italy's deep-lying playmaker Andrea Pirlo. Watching Pirlo orchestrate his team is an understated and engrossing experience. Sitting between the back-four defenders and the more advanced midfielders, Pirlo is the fulcrum from which the Italian team's movements extend. He collects passes from all directions and rechannels as he sees fit.

Although this ability is impressive, there are other players who can perform this role for their teams - Xavi, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Yaya Toure - so perhaps what most defines Pirlo is the manner in which he performs this role.