The World Cup will feature some of the highest-profile players on the planet and with this summer’s tournament on the horizon, protecting the biggest stars is high on the 32 nations’ agenda.
Some eclectic requests have been given by countries to their team hotels to make them as comfortable as possible, including a steady stream of banana baskets and bars of soap to be replaced by liquid.
Brazilian newspaper Lance has uncovered how far some teams will go to ensure the perfect surroundings for their sides during the most important summer of their careers.
Portugal seem particularly keen to protect their star man – they have employed six bodyguards for their 23-man squad, but four of them will be for Cristiano Ronaldo alone.
Didier Deschamps’ France side have requested that all soap bars are replaced by a liquid wash, perhaps to prevent any slips.
Their opponents Ecuador, meanwhile, have asked that they receive banana baskets every day throughout the tournament, and Japan want a hot tub installed in each player’s room.
Colombia, in Group C alongside Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan, want 15 youth players from Sao Paulo to join their training sessions for some healthy competition, and England’s opponents Uruguay have asked for silent air conditioning in each room.
Other requests include the respective nation’s TV channels in each room, high-speed internet and newspapers from around the globe delivered to the door. Algeria have also asked that all rooms for players and team officials need to have a Koran.
Nigeria’s requests have not been revealed as yet, but we suspect Stephen Keshi will be asking for some tranquil relaxation ambience for the super eagles.
