As any follower of the sport will tell you, football is mostly based on the squad as a collective, yet individual merits are also a target for the majority of the world’s best players. Whether it’s to top the scoring charts, provide the highest number of assists or keeping a long run of clean sheets, it all leads to the annual trophy which earns the most recognition, the Ballon d’Or.

Since the World Cup is the biggest stage for such players to showcase their skills, the sheer amount of talent at the fans’ disposal will be incredible. Recent Ballon d’Or winner and Real Madrid magician Cristiano Ronaldo will look to keep his current form on track in order to increase his nation’s potential at impressing in June.

He has, in this writer’s opinion, fully deserved the latest edition of this trophy. With Messi being largely absent during Barcelona’s first phase of the season due to injury, CR9 grabbed the chance to go full throttle for his club and country. Performing brilliantly and consistently for his club whilst saving his national squad’s qualification hopes in the play off versus Sweden, Ronaldo has been breaking record after record in recent years.

Franck Ribery was also a mighty contender for the trophy, enjoying a stellar 2013 which included the treble with Bayern Munich. That feat, however, was simply not enough, which goes to show how winning collective trophies will not necessarily confirm your status as the best in your position.

Should injury be avoided, all of the trophy’s contenders will be present this coming summer. With several other football stars keen to impress in Brazil, a highly impressive showing during the tournament will increase any player’s chances for the next edition of this trophy, equating to further viewing pleasure for us fans.