10 Players to Watch at the 2018 World Cup

Group G: Romelu Lukaku

Country: Belgium

Club Team: Manchester United

Age: 25

Belgium have the talent necessary to win the World Cup. They have stars from defense all the way through to attack, and after an exit in the Quarterfinals to Argentina in 2014, they now have experience, as well. The entire Belgian team is worth watching, but Romelu Lukaku will be key if they are to surpass their result from 2014.

The knock on Lukaku has always been that he isn't a big-game player. In the World Cup, every game is a big one, and Lukaku needs to put an end to that reputation this summer.

This past year, Lukaku did well in his debut season for Manchester United, scoring 27 goals in all competitions. However, against top-of-the-table opponents, he managed only a single goal but did tack on four assists. Of course, Lukaku's value goes beyond his goal scoring, as he is excellent in hold-up play and possession. With Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne around him, he has the potential to be a goal machine and Golden Boot winner in Russia.

We give Belgium a 9.33% chance of winning the World Cup, the third-best odds in the field behind only Brazil and Spain. Doing so would be an incredible achievement for a Belgian generation that is largely still in their mid-20s. On the surface, Belgium appear to be a fully realized version of England's young squad. They are a little older, a little more talented, and a lot more experienced.

While Belgium can make a deep run without Lukaku, he will be needed if they are going to win their first World Cup. He has a chance to become a Belgian legend and etch his name in the history books if he puts in a world-class showing this tournament.

What to Expect: