Big Question: Who are some unsung heroes to watch?

Every World Cup there’s players who seemingly come out of nowhere to capture the world’s attention. They may not be household names before the tournament but they are the players you talk about after you watch their teams play. I’ve selected five guys that I think could have an impact for teams that aren’t necessarily expected to advance deep into the tournament. If their teams are to thrive, these guys need to have huge tournaments.

Francileudo Dos Santos, Tunisia
A Brazilian by birth, the exciting Dos Santos is a born goal scorer. He was naturalized a Tunisian citizen before the 2004 African Cup of Nations and he proven to be an excellent goal scorer at the international level. Dos Santos plays his club ball at Toulouse.

Dario Srna, Croatia
A midfielder who plays for Shakhtar Donetsk in Russia, Srna is a playmaker who has a habit of scoring timely goals for his national team. Sometimes called the “Croatian David Beckham”, Srna could be one of the players most to benefit from a breakout World Cup performance.

Ali Karimi, Iran

The Wizard is a marvel to watch with the ball. Those tuning into the Iran-Portugal match might become dizzy watching Karimi and Cristiano Ronaldo perform their crossover move magic. Beyond his amazing on-the-ball skills, Karimi is a player who makes those around him better.

Paulo Wanchope, Costa Rica
If there is a reason to watch Costa Rica at all this summer it is to get a glimpse at the enigmatic Paulo Wanchope. When he is on his game, the former Manchester City/Derby County/West Ham striker can leave you breathless. When he is uninspired, his play will make you think that breathing is an entirely overrated experience.

Roque Santa Cruz, Paraguay
If it feels like Santa Cruz has been around forever, it is because he has. He broke onto the scene at 17 and has been with Bayern Munich seemingly for a lifetime. Now at the ripe old age of 25, Santa Cruz is hoping to overcome an injury to regain his moniker “BabyGol” at this year’s World Cup.

Got an unsung hero not on this list? Go ahead and let us all know who we should be keeping an eye on.