11 World Cup players to look out for

[cooleo]

Lionel Messi

Argentina, Winger

His stop-and-go moves and brazen attacks make him the most exciting player in Europe — but can he blend in with Argentina's talent and all-new tactics?

Stat: Won European Footballer of the Year by a record margin

 

[cooleo]

Maicon

Brazil, Defender

An end-to-end back and the face of a new-look Brazil, he is a menace on offense too; just check out his juggling act and strike for Inter against Juventus on YouTube

Stat: Helmed a defense that ceded 0.6 goals per game in qualifying

 

[cooleo]

Wayne Rooney

England, Striker

Since bombing out in '06 on a red card, England's one-man strike force has had a calmer head. And a better one: he nodded in seven straight goals in one '09 stretch

Stat: Was second highest scorer in England, with 26 goals in '09-10

 

[cooleo]

Samuel Eto'o

Cameroon, Striker

An idol in Africa, where he's thrice been Footballer of the Year. He's in his third Cup, and he's a big-gamer: he's scored in two of his three Champions League finals

Stat: Cameroon's all-time leading scorer netted nine qualifying goals

 

[cooleo]

Iker Casillas

Spain, Goalkeeper

St. Iker, perhaps the world's best goalkeeper, helped Spain end a 44-year title drought at Euro '08. His keen reflexes are key to his nation's chances for a first Cup win

Stat: Allowed zero goals in the Euro knockout round

 

[Char_Azn]

All are already very well establish stars. Personally I would like to see some not so well known players shine. We get 1 or 2 every world cup. I'm putting my vote on Mesut Ozil from Germany this year. The guy was pretty impressive during the qualifiers.

 

[wikiphile]

Lionel Messi

Argentina, Winger

His stop-and-go moves and brazen attacks make him the most exciting player in Europe — but can he blend in with Argentina's talent and all-new tactics?

Stat: Won European Footballer of the Year by a record margin

2006 6-0 against Serbia Hero

 

[cooleo]

Clint Dempsey

U.S., Midfielder

The most internationally established and creative U.S. field player (his coach compares him to Pete Maravich), "Deuce" could be the offensive key on a D-minded team

Stat: Scored the U.S.'s lone goal at the 2006 Cup, against Ghana

 

[cooleo]

Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal, Winger

The dashing villain of the '06 games was sold for $132 million to Real Madrid. He turns heads with his step-overs and speed but has yet to prove a Cup finisher

Stat: Scored 33 goals in first 35 appearances for Real Madrid

 

[Char_Azn]

2006 6-0 against Serbia Hero

Well the problem with Argentina this year isn't the team. Man for Man they have the best freaking team this year. The problem is a crazy drug addict call Maradona.

 

[cooleo]

Fernando Torres

Spain, Striker

The Spanish striker fired his country to EURO 2008 glory, thus getting that 44-year monkey of no major tournament success off its back. And so long as Fernando Torres can stay healthy — he's often missing for his club side, Liverpool, in England, through injury — then defenders beware. The 26 year-old has that rare ability of blistering pace and an acute eye for goal, equally adept at scoring tap-in's or from far out.

 

[cooleo]

Steven Pienaar

South Africa, Midfielder

You wouldn't want the host nation to have to pin their hopes on one man but South Africans will indeed be looking to their talismanic midfielder Steven Pienaar to at least get Bafana Bafana into the knockout phase. Pienaar is coming off his best season yet for Everton, in the English Premier League, and will be the fulcrum from which South Africa's best moves will surely spring. Watch for him to get in on the action via key assists and even the odd goal. Whether it will be enough to see South Africa through the group is another question.

 

[cooleo]

Robin van Persie

Holland, Striker

Often referred to as RVP, the flying Dutchman is set fair for a successful World Cup as he's back to full fitness after missing most of Arsenal's season through a long-term ankle injury. Since his return, both his teams have benefited from his attacking play, as he's been scoring goals — and setting them up — for fun. Not that TIME would ever condone betting but you could do far worse than taking the 16/1 generally on offer on van Persie winning the Golden Boot. If that were to happen, RVP would become known as Holland's VIP.

 

[cooleo]

Franck Ribery

France, Midfielder

Soccer is full of stories of redemption. And if the French midfielder keeps up his World Cup form of 2006, where he helped France to reach the final, then his job will have been accomplished. But why the redemption? Because Ribery has been caught up in a sordid tale this past year involving his fellow footballers under investigation for allegedly visiting an "under age," high-price prostitute in a bar just off the Champs-Elysées in Paris. If Ribery focuses on football then his wing wizardry can make mincemeat out of the opposition; but even Ribery's sumptuous skills may not be able to carry some of his under par teammates nor the tactics of unpopular coach Raymond Domenech.

 

[Char_Azn]

Steven Pienaar and Clint Dempsey <- Are they for real?
I'll wait until those 2 can get out of the group stage first before I say too much

 

[wikiphile]

Well the problem with Argentina this year isn't the team. Man for Man they have the best freaking team this year. The problem is a crazy drug addict call Maradona.

Who also happens to be their coach and the "Hand of GOD"

 

[Yukimura Sanada]

Didier Yves Drogba Tébily born 11 March 1978 is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays in the centre forward position. He currently plays for Chelsea in the Premier League and is the captain and all-time top scorer of the Ivory Coast national football team. He has scored more goals for Chelsea than any other foreign player and is currently Chelsea's 7th highest goal scorer of all time.

 

[Alamaking]

The peacock shouldnt be featured at all, knn i hope 1st match he kenna injured, LOL

 

[Leongsam]

What!.... No sinkies???

I was told in no uncertain terms that Sinkieland would have a team in the world cup finals this year.

 

[no_faith]

there should be many players to look out for, why limit yourself to only 11?

lionel messi country mate....

Angel Di Maria
Age: 22
Country: Argentina
Current club: Benifica
Position: Winger

I saw him play in europa, at his young age, he has the guts to take shots and take on defenders. he has the creativity on the pitch.
Well, sumtime sum player could be good wif club but country, dey dun.
a player to watch...