5 key players for Spain at the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Every nation is lucky to have a game-breaker, who could potentially take themall the way on his shoulders. When the stakes are high, it is those game-breakers who rise to the occasion and decide the fate of the team. They provide a cutting-edge to their side and it is no secret that manager Vicente Del Bosque is blessed with a handful of them in his star-studded lineup.With 31 other nations competing for the FIFA World Cup, the defending champions face arguably their toughest challenge in recent times. Can the Spaniards retain the World Cup and keep the on-going Golden era intact?Lets take a look at the 5 key players in this years edition.You can see the Top 5 players for other teams here:FIFA World Cup top 5 Players for each country

#5 Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos is undoubtedly an integral part of the Spanish lineup. Owing to the absence of Carles Puyol, the baton has now been passed to the Real Madrid defender to lead the defensive line. Ramos is the most experienced defender in La Rojas’ squad with 115 caps for the national side. Having won the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and the Euro twice with Spain, his familiarity with glory and pressure would prove handy to Spain as such familiarity doesn’t exist among other nations.

He is a complete defender having all the qualities to excel in modern-day football. His strength coupled with his aerial abilities makes him a threat in both attacking and defending set-pieces. The Spanish defence has been under the scanner for a while now and there isn’t a better stage for the Real Madrid man to step up and answer the critics.

Ramos is on an exquisite run of form, scoring 3 decisive headers in the UEFA Champions League, including the one in the final which took the game into extra time and eventually handing Real Madrid the win. And he will be looking to extend the on-going purple patch into the World Cup and should he succeed in doing so, La Rojas’ defence may not leave Casillas much to worry about.