Luis Suarez (Uruguay)
From the handball on the goal-line against Ghana at the 2010 World Cup to the biting incidents involving Branislav Ivanovic and Giorgio Chiellini, Suarez never seems to be too far away from controversy. He is cherished by Barcelona and Uruguay, but his on-field antics don’t always go down well with opponents.
Sergio Ramos (Spain)
Ramos has been in the headlines recently after his clashes with Mohamed Salah and Loris Karius during the Champions League final, and it is not the first time he has been cast as the villain. The Real Madrid man, described as an “idiot” by Roberto Firmino last week, is the most sent-off player in La Liga history.
Pepe (Portugal)
Pepe has fallen off the radar slightly after he left Real Madrid for Turkish side Besiktas last summer, but he remains a prominent figure for Portugal. Like his former club team-mate Sergio Ramos, the 35-year-old is something of a hot-head whose temper has riled fans on more than one occasion in the past.
Mesut Ozil (Germany)
Few players split opinion quite like Ozil. The Arsenal man’s performances can vary from the infuriating to the sublime, with some regarding him as a subtle genius and others insisting he is overrated. Which Ozil will we see at the World Cup?
Radamel Falcao (Colombia)
Radamel Falcao endured disappointing spells at Manchester United and Chelsea, but he has rebuilt his reputation at Monaco and he is loved by all Colombians. The World Cup is an opportunity for him to prove his critics wrong on the biggest stage.