FIFA World Cup 2014: Miroslav Klose, Cristiano Ronaldo players to watch out for in Group G

Rio De Janeiro: Five key players in World Cup Group G:

Philipp Lahm — Germany
Caps: 106
Injury to Michael Ballack thrust the Germany captaincy on Lahm before the last World Cup and the right-back has barely looked back  since taking over the arm-band. An ankle knock during the German Cup final for Bayern Munich hampered Lahm’s preparations for Brazil, but the 30-year-old will lead ‘die Mannschaft’ out for their opener against Portugal.

Lahm has shown his flexibility this season after being switched from right-back to defensive midfield for Bayern, an experiment Germany coach Joachim Loew has copied. Lahm claimed the first goal at the 2006 Cup before putting them into the Euro 2008 final with a winner against Turkey.

Jermaine Jones — USA
Caps: 43
The 32-year-old Frankfurt-born defensive midfielder turned his back on Germany after winning the last of his three caps in friendlies for ‘Die Mannschaft’ in 2008.
He has already made more than 40 appearances for the USA since 2010 and scored two goals.

Miroslav Klose — Germany
Caps: 132
Having turned 36 just before the Cup kicks off, Poland-born Klose travels to Brazil as the only recognised striker in the Germany squad. Having scored 14 goals at three inals, Klose, Germany’s joint top-scorer, can break the original Brazilian Ronaldo’s all-time record of 15 goals in Brazil. His five goals at the 2006 World Cup won him the golden boot award having finished joint second four years earlier in Japan and South Korea.

Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal
Caps: 110
The 2013 Ballon d’Or winner needs little introduction but he faces a race to be fit for the World Cup. Having picked up hamstring and knee injuries for Champions League winners Real Madrid, the first challenge for Ronaldo is to be fit for these finals. His stunning hat-trick against Sweden in last November’s play-off booked Paulo Bento’s side their Brazil berth.