32 Most Important Players in the 2014 World Cup

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Soccer is a team game played by eleven players on each side. Every single player has a specific job to help the team function as a whole and if he doesn’t do his job, then the team suffers for his mistake. As much as soccer is all about talent, cohesion plays a major role in becoming a successful team.

However, as important teamwork may be to have a great run at the World Cup, each team feature a crucial player who just can’t be replaced. This crucial player could be the difference between winning and losing because of his goal-scoring ability, defensive tenacity, or his ability to get the team to play cohesively. Without this specific player, the team could find their hopes of winning the World Cup (let alone escaping their group) end in disappointment. Here is a list of 32 players who are crucial for their team’s chances of being successful at the World Cup.