The 2018 German National Team possesses both talent and experience in an equally abundant quantity, and are traditionally defined by their collective strength of the team rather than individual stars when it comes to major tournaments.
This well-renowned mental ability to thrive under pressure has served Germany extremely well over the years - four World Cup titles and three European Championships tell their own incredible story.
Here, we have listed five of the best German players who could lead their nation to further glory in Russia.
1. Manuel Neuer
Thanks to his frequent ventures outside of his own box and his amazing footwork, Manuel Neuer will forever be remembered as his generation’s most brilliant ‘sweeper-keeper’.
Despite making mere four appearances for Bayern Munich last season after a foot fracture in September, Low announced Neuer will be Germany’s first choice goalkeeper in the World Cup.
Neuer won the Golden Glove award in the previous World Cup in 2014 for his outstanding performance in goal. He remains one of the key figures in this year's edition as well.
2. Mats Hummels
A winner of multiple accolades, including a five-time Bundesliga winner and a 2014 FIFA World Cup winner, Bayern Munich defender Mats Hummels is one of the golden boys of German Football.
Hummels, a calm and composed figure at the back is crucial for Germany's insistence to play possession-based football. He will be key to initiate attacks from the defense with his ability to carry the ball forward and play out from the back. If Germany is to win the whole thing, he remains a key figure.
3. Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil is a polarising player among his fans at Arsenal. He could be one of the best players in the world on his day, but a liability on his off days because of his reluctance to contribute to the team off the ball.
However, Ozil has been a brilliant player for the German National Team ever since he debuted in 2009. Known for his brilliant footwork in tight spaces, his amazing awareness of the surrounding as well as his superb pa s sing, Ozil remains a crucial player for Germany's hope of winning back to back World Cups.
4. Toni Kroos
The Real Madrid star knows exactly what it takes to succeed in football’s biggest competitions. His personal CV is nothing short of remarkable as it includes three Champions League titles, four German and Spanish league titles as well as the 2014 World Cup.
Toni Kroos, undeniably one of the best midfielders in the world for the ease at which he picks the right pa s ses with aplomb, was once dubbed by a Spanish paper as 'a one-man orchestra'. The midfield maestro's ability to bring symmetry and balance in midfield makes him a perfect midfielder, as hailed by his former manager Zinedine Zidane.
Kroos bossing the midfield like he usually does could be fatal for the rest of the nations vying to win the World Cup.
5. Thomas Muller
Thomas Muller has always been a strange but immensely effective player. Not just in Bayern Munich or Germany, but the entire modern football. He is a right-sided attacking midfielder and yet not a winger. Likewise, he is a goalscorer and creator but not an out-and-out forward nor a pure attacking midfielder.
Despite his peculiar nature, Muller is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most crucial players for Germany. He has netted 38 times while a s sisting 36 goals in his 91 International appearances. Most impressively, he scored 10 of those goals in 13 World Cup appearances.
You can count on Muller to deliver in the big games and Germany will be hoping this remains the case in this year's edition of the 2018 World Cup as well.
