Neymar #10

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Seventy-nine goals in 128 international appearances: a formidable record for a striker at his fourth World Cup – but it’s obvious that the 34-year-old is a shadow of the player he once was. And that’s before you consider the calf injury he picked up just before the tournament, which will leave him, at best, lacking full match fitness in the early stages. He hasn’t played for the national team since 2023 due to injuries and patchy form since his return to Santos, but was still given the nod by Carlo Ancelotti ahead of rivals such as João Pedro and Richarlison, seemingly because of his aura. "I know full well that Neymar is much loved, not only by the public but also by the players," Ancelotti said. "This is ​a factor, because we have to consider the atmosphere that will surround Neymar's call-up.” He remains defiant in the face of criticism, and continues to embrace his off-pitch celebrity status. In 2020 he showed off his acting abilities when he made a cameo as a monk named João in episodes six and eight of his favourite Netflix series, La Casa de Papel, in 2020.

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