Could the greatest show on earth be without its greatest stars? Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic, Suarez and Co in danger of missing out on next summer's World Cup

By Gerard Brand

PUBLISHED: 04:57 EST, 15 October 2013 | UPDATED: 10:23 EST, 15 October 2013


The greatest show on earth in one of the most perfect settings possible is in danger of missing its headline acts. 

This isn't club football, nations can't buy and sell world stars as they please. If they could, there would be no concerns over seeing the likes of Luis Suarez and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in Brazil next summer.

Some of the world's top footballers, including one half of the long-running 'best player on the planet' argument, could miss out on the World Cup in Brazil next summer if their sides fail to qualify on Tuesday night.

VIDEO: Scroll down to see Portugal training ahead of World Cup qualifier

Big loss: Ronaldo and Portugal will have to qualify through the play-offs for the third tournament running

Big loss: Ronaldo and Portugal will have to qualify through the play-offs for the third tournament running

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo looks set to be forced through the lottery of the play-offs once again, and what a tragedy it would be to have the Real Madrid man hitting the sofa rather than the back of the net.

Here, Sportsmail looks at the six men who may not be gracing our screens in June, and could instead be one of the millions of viewers for the most eagerly-anticipated World Cup in decades.

He's the man: Ibrahimovic is still in his prime, and would be a huge asset to the entertainment value in Brazil

He's the man: Ibrahimovic is still in his prime, and would be a huge asset to the entertainment value in Brazil

 

Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal

Bar a Russia defeat in Azerbaijan and a seven-goal swing in the process, Portugal will be heading to the play-offs for the third major championship in a row.

They always come through, but the quality of the second-placed teams in Europe could scupper Paulo Bento's side, including France due to their vastly inferior world ranking.

It seems impossible, but the Real Madrid man is even better than he was four years ago when he last graced the world screens.

It's simple. For the good of football and for the good of the World Cup, love him or hate him, Ronaldo must be on the plane to Brazil next summer.

 
World stage awaits: Ronaldo hasn't had the best of times in the World Cup with Portugal

World stage awaits: Ronaldo hasn't had the best of times in the World Cup with Portugal

 

Luis Suarez - Uruguay

No Suarez in Brazil would be like a James Bond film with no villain.

With the quality Uruguay have at their disposal, it is surprising they are struggling to qualify ahead of the likes of Ecuador, Chile and Colombia.

They are heading for the play-offs, where they will play (and surely overcome) Jordan, but it's all too close to call for a nation boasting the Liverpool man alongside PSG striker Edinson Cavani.

Suarez's 10-match ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic has not hampered his form, and his past history with the World Cup makes him one of the must-see characters next summer.

His handball against Ghana in the quarter-finals in South Africa may have been detestable, but the thrills and spills that the 26-year-old brings to the global stage cannot be denied and should not be shunned.

Love and hate: Suarez claims he has calmed down, but whatever happens in Brazil, we'll be glad to see him there

Love and hate: Suarez claims he has calmed down, but whatever happens in Brazil, we'll be glad to see him there

Controversial: Suarez stops the ball with his hands for Uruguay to give away a penalty kick during the World Cup quarter-final against Ghana in 2010. The penalty was missed and Uruguay progressed

Controversial: Suarez stops the ball with his hands for Uruguay to give away a penalty kick during the World Cup quarter-final against Ghana in 2010. The penalty was missed and Uruguay progressed

 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Sweden

If Suarez is the Bond villain, Ibrahimovic is his sidekick.

So often the star of the show, the 32-year-old Swede is guaranteed to be in the play-offs next month , and will be desperate to qualify after missing out in 2010.

The PSG giant, who is yet to score in the World Cup finals, has five goals in qualifying and 46 for Sweden overall.

He's the same dynamite, controversial character he was the last time he played in the World Cup in 2006, so qualification for Zlatan can only add to the entertainment factor in Brazil.

The big man: PSG striker Ibrahimovic is undoubtedly Sweden's main man

The big man: PSG striker Ibrahimovic is undoubtedly Sweden's main man

 

Luka Modric - Croatia

Croatia are guaranteed a play-off spot and will be seeded, and Modric is in his element in the national side.

Gracing our screens at Euro 2008, Modric was everyone's cup of tea and eventually got his move to the Premier League.

The 28-year-old got a taste of it by scoring at Old Trafford last season, but he'll want to show everyone where he has been since leaving Spurs last summer on the world stage.

Shake off: Modric's Croatia will be in the play-offs next month for a spot in Brazil

Shake off: Modric's Croatia will be in the play-offs next month for a spot in Brazil

 

Franck Ribery - France

Ranked 25th in the world, the French will most likely have a tough test in the play-offs next month, where they seem to be heading if Spain avoid a meltdown against Georgia on Tuesday night.

He was crowned UEFA's best player in Europe in August after his stunning performances for Bayern Munich last term, and conquering in the world with a France team often blighted with in-house problems will surely be his next aim.

It's not just Ribery who could be missing out. Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud, Samir Nasri, Patrice Evra and Hugo Lloris are all world stars in danger of not making it to Brazil.

Main man: Ribery was crowned UEFA's best player in Europe after his performances for Bayern Munich

Main man: Ribery was crowned UEFA's best player in Europe after his performances for Bayern Munich

 

Samuel Eto'o - Cameroon

Chelsea's self-designated main man has played at three World Cups for Cameroon, and was the tournament's youngest player in 1998.

With The Indomitable Lions facing a nervy second-leg against Tunisia after a goalless first, the striker will be desperate to add to his 55 international goals to carry his side over the line.

At 32 Eto'o has much to give on the international stage still, and Brazil is the best chance to show he's still got it after what could be a difficult campaign at Stamford Bridge.

Represent: Eto'o has history with the World Cup, and will want to prove his worth on the global stage again

Represent: Eto'o has history with the World Cup, and will want to prove his worth on the global stage again

 

PS - The world's most expensive player will definitely be watching from home

Gareth Bale - Wales

Will we ever see Bale grace a major tournament? There are no £80million transfer fees in international football, so the answer to that question at this time is: unlikely.

He has got his nation out of the muck more times than they can remember, but it will take more than one man to get Wales to the promised land in the next decade.

With Aaron Ramsey the only other player of note to build around, seeing Bale in Russia and Qatar for the next two World Cup final's seems farfetched.

Money bags: Bale is guaranteed Champions League football for a while, but the World Cup stage is beyond him

Money bags: Bale is guaranteed Champions League football for a while, but the World Cup stage is beyond him

 

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Please DM how is bale "one of the greatest in the world"???? He is a very good player but hes done nothing to prove hes in same boat as Ribery, ronaldo etc

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Not "one of the greatest", the most expensive. Read and heed.

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Football may be a team sport but a true "great" should be able to carry his team into the WC Finals at least, if not the Final. These so-called greats inability to do so speaks for itself - they're not great after all. Do like what Maradona did in 1986 & 1990, then only will they deserve to be called "great".

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Looking at 3 lion's performance,count Wayne Rooney,Frank Lampard & Ashley Cole also to the list.

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Looking at 3 lion's performance,count Wayne Rooney,Frank Lampard & Ashley Cole also to the list.

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I'm making over $7k a month working part time. I kept hearing other people tell me how much money they can make online so I decided to look into it. Well, it was all true and has totally changed my life. This is what I do... .... Works25.COM

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This is football, not basketball , not golf, not tennis: These guys didn't do much last world cup, yet we had a fantastic world cup !!!! Stars power is highly overrated in the world cup! If they don't make it, new stars will be born .....

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I think its more like Suarez i Zlatan`s sidekick! the journalist obviously has no football knowledge!!!

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If Ronaldo is not there I won't be watching.

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Wales should just play for england

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"Modric scored the winner at Old Trafford last season" - erm, he got the goal that made it 1-1 actually when Madrid knocked Utd out of the Champions League. I think you'll find the man who scored the winner was that player called, oh what is it again? Oh yeah, Ronaldo! Good god these "journalists" are woeful!

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