World Cup Player Rankings: Who has the edge among world's top stars?

Football's greatest spectacle offers an opportunity for the world's marquee stars to display their qualities on the pitch. With such a wealth of talent to choose from, we take a crack at ranking the best players at the World Cup.

20. Christian Eriksen, Denmark

Overshadowed somewhat at club level thanks to the goalscoring presence of Harry Kane - although he is finally starting to get the recognition he deserves in recent seasons - there's no denying that Christian Eriksen is Denmark's focal point. His playmaking ability has always been viewed as the strength of his game, but as he showed in World Cup qualifying with 11 goals, he's tasked with being the prime goal threat for the Danes as well.

19. Philippe Coutinho, Brazil

Similar to the emphasis placed on Neymar, Brazil's success at the World Cup will depend heavily on Philippe Coutinho's ability to influence matches in Russia. Compared to his usual position on the wing, the 26-year-old is expected to be thrust into a central role where his superb vision and creativity could prove vital to Brazil. Given the Selecao's depth, manager Tite likely won't hesitate to shift Coutinho back to the wing if he struggles to replicate the world-class form that triggered a £142-million transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona.

18. Sergio Ramos, Spain

It's easy to forget since he spends so much time partaking in the game's dark arts - just ask Mohamed Salah - but Sergio Ramos remains the best central defender in the game today. Together with longtime international teammate Gerard Pique, the Real Madrid stalwart will be crucial to Spain's bid for another World Cup title - assuming he doesn't get sent off along the way, of course.

17. Luis Suarez, Uruguay

An insatiable hunger to elevate Uruguay's status on the international stage has caused significant controversy around Luis Suarez's World Cup journeys. But when he manages to keep his head, there's few who can match his talent. The Barcelona star enters his third World Cup on a mission to bring joy to Uruguay fans who have remained loyal even after the wave of outrage that followed the infamous biting incident in 2014.

16. David De Gea, Spain

There's no doubting David De Gea's deserved rank among the world's best goalkeepers after years of success at Manchester United. Yet, the 27-year-old still has some convincing to do on the international stage, especially after an uncharacteristic howler against Portugal on Friday baffled those used to momentum-shifting saves. Despite the costly gaffe, De Gea's place as Spain's No. 1 is far from being in danger.

15. Robert Lewandowski, Poland

The 2018 World Cup could be Robert Lewandowski's last shot at World Cup success while in his prime. Unlike years past, Poland arrives in Russia with the confidence of a side that no longer has to rely on one player to determine its success, as the supporting cast around Lewandowski has vastly improved in recent years. Nonetheless, Poland will undoubtedly continue to search for ways to get the ball to its record-breaking goalscorer with hopes of earning a berth in the knockout stage for the first time in over 30 years.

14. Antoine Griezmann, France

Antoine Griezmann is the perfect two-way forward. He goes wherever the ball goes. It's common to see the Frenchman tracking back for a share of possession and relaunching the attack. Despite the additional workload, Griezmann manages to find ways to score goal after goal. A coach's dream.

13. Eden Hazard, Belgium

Eden Hazard is built to entertain. He's at his best when dribbling and taking on defenders. Hazard isn't the kind of player to sacrifice himself in his team's own half, but he's capable of scoring spectacular goals on the run. It's one of football's greatest pleasures to watch an uninhibited Hazard on the loose.

12. Paul Pogba, France

The critics like to find faults with Paul Pogba, but the reality is that he's really, really good. Few in the game rival Pogba's versatility in the middle of the park, and fewer still have the pace and range of passing to break a match wide open. Not to mention how often he arrives in the penalty area to score big goals. He's the definition of an all-action midfielder.

11. Marcelo, Brazil

Routinely hailed as modern football's premier full-back, Marcelo has the touch and vision of a playmaker. In another life, he could have been a No. 10. His runs down the left flank for both Brazil and Madrid always carry purpose. Even if he abandons his defensive duties, Marcelo more than makes it up for it in the opposing area.

10. Luka Modric, Croatia

Luka Modric is one of the best passers and readers of the game. His contributions in midfield powered Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles, so it's no surprise that he's at the heart of Croatia's operation. His ability to press and cut out passes are also underrated qualities that put him ahead of his peers.

9. Kylian Mbappe, France

One of nine teenagers on 2018 World Cup rosters, Mbappe is poised to vault from one of football's emerging stars to a household name. His versatility, whether as a wide attacker or as a No. 9, suits France's set-up, and his gazelle-like gait should be an effective counter to the litany of flat-footed defenders in Russia. It's impossible not to like the perpetually smiling superstar in wait.

8. Isco, Spain

The most natural heir Spain has to the magical Andres Iniesta, Isco's playmaking ability is one of world football's most beautiful sights. Popping up all over the pitch to orchestrate the Spanish attack, the 26-year-old is arguably the most important player on a team loaded with mesmerising quality. He's equally likely to put a defender on a poster as he is to pick out a gorgeous pass, making him a threat in every situation.

7. Harry Kane, England

A young, exciting, likable England side heads into Russia without the typical weight of the nation's expectations creating a shadow over the team. It's ironic, considering this iteration of the Three Lions should have fans excited, particularly because of the presence of star striker Harry Kane. The Tottenham goal machine is one of the best strikers in the world, and with plenty of attacking talent behind him, he could fill the net frequently over the next month.

6. Toni Kroos, Germany

The pass master. Setting up at the heart of Germany's midfield, Toni Kroos will dictate the pace for the reigning World Cup champion, much like he does at club level for Real Madrid. His composure on the ball is second to none, and, combined with his vision and range of pinpoint passing, makes him one of the world's finest central midfielders.

5. Mohamed Salah, Egypt

Off the back of his mind-blowing first season with Liverpool, when he made world class athletes look like turtles en route to winning the Premier League Golden Boot with 32 goals, Salah comes into the World Cup carrying the hopes of Egypt. It's a tough assignment considering he's just weeks removed from dislocating his shoulder, but even a less-than-fully-fit Salah will be a nightmare for defenders.

4. Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium

After an otherworldly club season with Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne is the marquee man on a Belgium side loaded with talent; being the focal point of a team that also boasts the likes of Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku is no small feat. His incredible vision, ability to seemingly always pick out the right pass, and wicked shooting with either foot make him one of the players to watch.

3. Neymar, Brazil

Everything Neymar has done this year has set the stage for this World Cup. The record-breaking move to the French capital, the foot injury with Paris Saint-Germain, and subsequent return to Brazil were all framed by the quadrennial event, and after playing a role in the 7-1 decimation at the hands of Germany, Neymar is in a position to make this World Cup his own. The 26-year-old has scored in each of Brazil's last two tournament tune-ups.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal

Forced to shadow Fernando Santos whilst pantomiming an impassioned, arms-flailing philharmonic conductor for the better part of the Euro 2016 final victory over France, Cristiano Ronaldo enters the 2018 World Cup fit and in form. If the peerless performance against Spain is an indication, the Real Madrid star is up for the task, and should the 33-year-old lead the Iberians to a second major tournament win on the bounce, cue the divisive discussions coining Ronaldo as football's best ever.

1. Lionel Messi, Argentina

The preeminent honour to escape Lionel Messi now sits on a burdensome platter that not even the Argentine star can lift alone as comparisons between him, Ronaldo, and national hero Diego Maradona become an inescapable narrative. Saturday's placid penalty against Iceland will only fuel that talk, though on the heels of a 44-goal campaign with Barcelona, doubting Messi is a fool's errand, and he merits top spot on these rankings, for now.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)