World Cup 2014: Player profile - Gregory van der Wiel, the Netherlands defender

Counting down the 100 players to look out for in Brazil this summer

Gregory van der Wiel of the Netherlands (GETTY IMAGES)

The World Cup in Brazil is coming into view and everyone is hoping this summer's carnival can take its place among some of the great tournaments of the past, but who will be the star of the show?

With 74 days to go until things kick-off, check out our latest instalment of 100 players to look out for at the competition below.

74. Gregory van der Wiel (Netherlands)

The Netherlands defender joined the French Revolution in the form of Paris Saint-Germain when he signed in the autumn of 2012 from his hometown club Ajax. He’s a 21stentury right back, known for often bombing down the right flank to provide attacking support to the wingers and frontmen. The 26-year-old made his international debut five years ago and played a part in his countries agonising 1-0 extra-time defeat at the hands of Spain in the 2010 World Cup final. He was also a mainstay in Holland’s humiliating Euro 2012 exit, where they lost all three encounters.

After returning to Ajax after three years away, he went on to become – like many before him - a huge talent in Amsterdam and was rewarded with the Dutch Young Player of the Year in 2009-10.

Did you know? In 2009, Van der Wiel felt the wrath of then coach Bert van Marwijk when he attended a Lil’ Wayne concert having been declared unfit for fly by Ajax’s medical staff. He tweeted a photo of himself and the famous American rapper.