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The best 30 players at the World Cup

By James Dudko

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during the International friendly match match between Portugal and The Netherlands at Stade de Genève on March 26, 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during the International friendly match match between Portugal and The Netherlands at Stade de Genève on March 26, 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /
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30 best players at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, including Marco Reus, Antoine Griezmann and Harry Kane.

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and the usual suspects will shine at the 2018 World Cup in Russia this summer. Yet the two best players on the planet will have plenty of competition from stars of the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue1 and the Bundesliga.

Among the others sure to wow audiences are Germany’s Marco Reus and Tottenham striker Harry Kane. Less heralded players such as Sweden playmaker Emil Forsberg will also be worth keeping an eye on.

Find out who else features in the 30 best players at this World Cup.

LISBON, PORTUGAL – MAY 05: Sporting CP midfielder Bruno Fernandes from Portugal during the Portuguese Primeira Liga match between Sporting CP and SL Benfica at Estadio Jose Alvalade on May 05, 2018 in Lisbon, Lisboa. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
LISBON, PORTUGAL – MAY 05: Sporting CP midfielder Bruno Fernandes from Portugal during the Portuguese Primeira Liga match between Sporting CP and SL Benfica at Estadio Jose Alvalade on May 05, 2018 in Lisbon, Lisboa. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images) /

30. Bruno Fernandes, midfielder, Portugal

No doubt an under-the-radar name to many, Bruno Fernandes is the best player you don’t know about. Sporting Lisbon’s gifted No. 8 is an all-action, box-to-box force of nature who can be Portugal’s secret weapon in Russia.

Fernandes is coming off an outstanding season at club level, during which he scored 16 goals and recorded 12 assists in all competitions. The 23-year-old’s knack for late, well-timed runs into the box is similar to Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey.

Like Ramsey, Fernandes’ natural vision and flair is often overlooked. Make no mistake though, he be the creative fulcrum who helps Ronaldo enjoy his best-ever World Cup.

Portugal will likely only go as far as Ronaldo takes them. However, it will be fatal for other teams to overlook a midfield combining the technique of Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva and Monaco’s Joao Moutinho with a player as dynamic as Fernandes.

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