1 Lionel Messi

Country: Argentina Position: Forward

Club Team: Barcelona Age: 22

STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

41 appearances, 13 goals

WORLD CUP

2006: 3 app, 1 goal

Lionel Messi is the best pound-for-pound soccer player in the world, and perhaps of all time. At 22,
Messi has won just about everything there is to win, both individually and in club soccer. Missing is
any sort of hardware with Argentina, aside from an Olympic gold medal. Messi's game relies on its
unpredictability and magnificent control of the ball, which seldom demurs to anything Messi asks it to
do. Listed at a charitable 5-foot-7, he's even a good header. While transcendent with his club,
Barcelona, in the last few years (his 17 goals this season are tied for the most in Spain), the knock on
Messi has been that he doesn't match that dominance for Argentina. For the most part, this is blamed
on Argentina manager Diego Maradona's refusal to deploy him in his natural position -- on the right,
allowing him to cut in -- and posting him behind a deep striker instead. Maradona, one of the best of
all time as a player, has named Messi his successor as Argentina's soccer savior, a label that has
proved disastrous for all others so designated previously by Maradona.
Scouting thumbnail: Technical genius with a low center of gravity and pace who can break down
any defense off the dribble and conjure something out of nothing. Struggles when used as a striker
and prefers playing out wide and cutting in on his left foot.
Rank Player

2 Cristiano Ronaldo
Country: Portugal Position: Midfielder
Age: 25

Club Team: Real Madrid

STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

68 appearances, 22 goals

WORLD CUP

2006: 6 app, 1 goal

"Buy that kid," Manchester United players told manager Alex Ferguson after an 18-year old
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, whose middle name allegedly honors Ronald Reagan, had
torched Man U in a friendly in the summer of 2003. Ferguson obliged his players' wishes,
shelling out some $20 million and handing Ronaldo the No. 7 jersey, previously worn by legends
George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and David Beckham. Ronaldo responded by outdoing
all of the aforementioned in a six-year romp during which he scored 118 goals and won three
Premier League titles, one Champions League and one Club World Cup, swiping 42 individual
prizes, including the 2008 FIFA World Footballer of the Year, along the way. Last summer,
Ferguson sold him to Real Madrid for a record $132 million. Ronaldo has become a lethal
dribbler, superlative header and long-distance shooter and one of the better free-kick takers on the
planet and will anchor an aging Portugal looking to shine one last time.
Scouting thumbnail: Explosive, pacy and an astonishingly prolific goal scorer for a winger.
Specializes in long-range free kicks and shows the ability to shoot from anywhere.

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3 Wayne Rooney

Country: England Position: Forward

Club Team: Manchester United Age: 24
STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

57 appearances, 25 goals

WORLD CUP

2006: 4 app, 0 goals

When Wayne Rooney broke through internationally at just 17 years of age and took his place
next to then-England striker Michael Owen, a British journalist referred to them as "the baby-
faced assassin and the assassin-faced baby," with Rooney accounting for the less flattering of the
descriptions. An England side without him has become unimaginable, as the Liverpool-born
Rooney developed into a world-class striker in a country starved for them. The highly athletic
Rooney has reinvented his position, swerving all over the attacking half of the field to drop back
into midfield when needed or provide the final tap on a goal. With former teammate Cristiano
Ronaldo now in Spain, Rooney has carried the scoring load for Man U, leading the Premier
League with 23 goals. Rooney sports a tattoo that says, "Just Enough Education To Perform."
While this may be generous, his on-field intelligence is off the charts. One half of another British
power couple, Rooney and his wife Colleen have taken England by storm, he as a soccer player
and she as a fitness guru/fashion commentator of some sort.
Scouting thumbnail: Complete striker who can play anywhere across the front three. Powerful
build and aggressive attitude poses problems for any defense. Can score any type of goal and has
improved his finishing skills.
Rank Player

4 Kaka

Country: Brazil Position: Midfielder

Club Team: Real Madrid Age: 27
STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

73 appearances, 26 goals

WORLD CUP

2002, '06: 6 app, 1 goal

Kaka belongs to Jesus. The T-shirts he has shown underneath his jersey say so. An oxymoronic
principled soccer player, Kaka also happens to be the rare Brazilian star who comes from an
upper-middle-class background. Money couldn't tear him away from Milan and its fans. Kaka
said he wasn't interested in the heaps of money offered him by Manchester City and Real Madrid.
So long as Milan would have him, he would be staying. Milan needed his transfer fee to stay
afloat though, so after Kaka won everything there is to win for club and self, Milan sold him to
Real Madrid for about $95 million in June. So now Kaka also belongs to Real Madrid. Kaka has
become a central figure in manager Dunga's new Brazil, masterminding its lethal counterattacks,
which have made a Brazil team not as deep in world-class players as in past years still one of the
world's best.
Scouting thumbnail: Knee injuries have sapped some of his speed and he no longer goes on
galloping dribbles the entire length of the field. Artistic playmaker who can break down defenses
via dribble or pass.

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5 Xavi

Country: Spain Position: Midfielder

Club Team: Barcelona Age: 30
STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

83 appearances, 8 goals

WORLD CUP

2002, '06: 7 app, 0 goals

Every soccer team needs a Xavi, a savvy midfielder whose organizational skills are the glue that
held both Barcelona and Spain together in their respective runs to glory. Along with Andres
Iniesta he makes up the superb engine room for club and country, connecting the dots between
those around him with his infallible short passes. The natural successor to Pep Guardiola, now
Barcelona's manager, Xavi has been a mainstay in Barcelona's lineup since 1998 after joining the
club's academy in 1991. With a contract running through 2014, he isn't liable to be leaving the
only employer he has ever had anytime soon. His Player of the Tournament award for Spain's
EURO 2008 triumph was justified. Perhaps the best illustration of the force that is Xavi was his
performance against archrivals Real Madrid in May 2009, when he notched four assists in a 6-2
Barcelona win.
Scouting thumbnail: Intelligent playmaker who combines precise passes and artistic vision in
both the final third and from a deep lying position. The pulse of the Spanish team. Superb ability
to keep the ball.
Rank Player

6 Didier Drogba

Country: Ivory Coast Position: Forward

Club Team: Chelsea Age: 31
STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

65 appearances, 43 goals

WORLD CUP

2006: 2 app, 1 goal

When Chelsea splashed out $37 million for him in 2004, Didier Drogba seemingly came out of
nowhere, uncommonly late in arriving on the world scene at 26. Now 31, he nonetheless has
become one of the world's foremost strikers, and probably the most athletic one. Both captain and
all-time leading scorer of Ivory Coast, he will be relied upon to debunk the stereotype that for all
their ability, African teams never perform. This robust striker both takes up and covers a lot of
real estate, often requiring several opposing defenders to keep him in check -- although Premier
League opponents haven't been too successful at that this season, as Drogba ranks second to
Wayne Rooney with 19 goals. Known for his big personality and intense looks, Drogba is
spectacular to the eye.
Scouting thumbnail: Talismanic striker and physical specimen whose power makes him
practically unplayable when he puts his mind to it. Can score all types of goals and excels as a
lone front man.

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7 Andres Iniesta

Country: Spain Position: Midfielder

Club Team: Barcelona Age: 25

STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM
39 appearances, 6 goals

WORLD CUP

2006: 1 app, 0 goals

There's a reason they call him "El Illusionista" -- "The Illusionist." Andres Iniesta is a whimsical
playmaker who transcends position and role to create a steady flow of chances for whoever is
lucky enough to be playing in front of him. So multifunctional as to be capable of slotting into
just about any midfield or attacking job, Iniesta is the creative counterpart to Xavi's pragmatism
in Barcelona's and Spain's golden tandem. Coming up as Ronaldinho's understudy, Catalunya and
all of Spain now shudder at the thought of life without Iniesta. Luckily, lithe as he may be, he has
an uncanny ability to play through injury.
Scouting thumbnail: Small, technical playmaker with low center of gravity and tremendous ball
control and creative vision, regarded by some peers as the best player in the world. Very difficult
to dispossess and can also run at defenders and take them off the dribble. Sometimes overpasses
when he should take the shot himself.
Rank Player

8 Fernando Torres

Country: Spain Position: Forward

Club Team: Liverpool Age: 25

STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

71 appearances, 23 goals

WORLD CUP

2006: 4 app, 3 goals

Fernando Torres was born to score goals. He was converted from a goalkeeper to a striker at age
7 and scored 55 goals as a 10-year-old, which caught the attention of his beloved Atltico
Madrid, which had relaunched its academy after disbanding it a few years earlier (sending
superstar Raul into the arms of Real Madrid). The club wouldn't make that mistake a second time.
Torres broke into Atltico's starting lineup at 17 and never did stop scoring goals, earning him a
transfer to Liverpool in 2007. At 25, Torres, the embodiment of the modern striker, already has
132 competitive league goals under his belt.
Scouting thumbnail: Well-rounded, pacy striker with tremendous technique who draws much
support as the best in the world. Likes to play off the shoulder of the last defender and can finish
with aplomb with either foot and is also superb in the air. Can sometimes be thrown off his game
if defenders dish out the rough treatment and the referees are lax in calling fouls.

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9 Steven Gerrard

Country: England Position: Midfielder

Club Team: Liverpool Age: 29

STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

77 appearances, 16 goals

WORLD CUP

2006: 5 app, 2 goals

Dismissed as too slight for professional soccer as a child, Gerrard went on to be voted the second-
best Liverpool player of all time by the club's fans and is even a Member of the Order of the
British Empire. Several clubs passed on him when he was in his teens, before his hometown
Liverpool finally committed to him. Regret it they did not, as Gerrard emerged as a superb
attacking midfielder, who also operates as a second striker or as a winger. Gerrard is a nine-year
veteran of England, pairing with Frank Lampard to form the best duo of attacking midfielders in
the world.
Scouting thumbnail: Complete player who can play virtually anywhere on the field, but excels
at club level with his own unique English interpretation of the trequartista role. Combines an
explosive long-range shot with aggressive tackling, but struggles at times to shed man markers.
Rank Player

10 Michael Essien

Country: Ghana Position: Midfielder

Club Team: Chelsea Age: 27

STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

74 appearances, 10 goals

WORLD CUP

2006: 3 app, 0 goals

An elite defensive midfielder who doesn't shy away from attacking, Ghana's Michael Essien is
one of Africa's finest. With the help of fellow midfielders Sulley Muntari and Stephen Appiah,
Essien led Ghana to the second round in Germany in 2006. Beating the Czech Republic 2-0 and
the U.S. 2-1, Ghana's surprise run made it the only African country to survive the group stage.
Essien, a two-time African Player of the Year, now has four more seasons as a regular at Chelsea
under his belt. His versatility, energy and defensive pedigree make him one of the most consistent
and reliable players in the world. Out since mid-January with a knee injury, Essien is expected to
return by the World Cup but will need to prove he's fit.
Scouting thumbnail: The world's most dominant defensive midfielder. Covers an incredible
amount of territory with boundless energy and the ability to contribute box to box. Possesses a
powerful long-range shot.
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David Villa
1

Country: Spain Position: Forward

Club Team: Valencia Age: 28

STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

54 appearances, 36 goals

WORLD CUP

2006: 4 app, 3 goals

Where David Villa goes, the goals inescapably follow. At 28, the son of a miner has already
accumulated the second-most goals for Spain of all time, trailing only Raul, who has eight more
goals but in 48 additional games played. That's not all; Valencia's Villa is also 11th on the all-
time Primera Divisin top-scorer charts (and is tied for the top with Lionel Messi this season with
17) and was the most prolific scorer in the world between 2005 and 2009. Strongest when
running on to through balls threaded past defenders by Spain's midfield, the perfectly
ambidextrous Villa is the ideal complement to Fernando Torres, a taller target man.
Scouting thumbnail: Elite finisher who's comfortable with either foot. Instinctive, predatory
goal scorer who constantly finds openings in the defense and penalty box.
Rank Player

12 Franck Ribery
Country: France Position: Midfielder
Club Team: Bayern Munich Age: 26

STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

41 appearances, 7 goals

WORLD CUP

2006: 7 app, 1 goal

A man who once pronounced himself ugly and OK with that, Franck Ribery led a nomadic soccer
existence until the day his Turkish club Galatasaray could no longer pony up his salary and
Ribery moved to Marseille. There he became a star and was appointed the successor to France
star Zinedine Zidane, even though Ribery is more a winger than a playmaker. Establishing
himself as one of the finest of his craft at Bayern Munich, the bite-sized and injury-prone Ribery
has yet to confirm that status with France, for which he has been a regular since its surprise run to
the final of the 2006 World Cup.
Scouting thumbnail: Clever playmaker who operates anywhere behind the striker but prefers the
wing. Direct player who loves to run at defenders and get to the byline. Impressive work rate.

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Samuel Eto'o
3

Country: Cameroon Position: Forward

Club Team: Inter Age: 28
STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

94 appearances, 44 goals

WORLD CUP

1998, 2002: 4 app, 1 goal

Ever since Real Madrid, which had signed him at 16, deemed him unfit for its ranks four years
later, Samuel Eto'o has played soccer with a meteorite-sized chip on his shoulder. Eto'o's wrath
led him to score 108 league goals for Barcelona in just five seasons, helping Barca win the league
three times in that span. Incredibly, Eto'o (pronounced ay-TOH-oh, not ay-TOO) made his debut
for Cameroon's senior team when he was 14 and, had Cameroon qualified in 2006, would be
making his fourth World Cup this summer, despite still being younger than 30.
Scouting thumbnail: Lacks the searing pace of earlier years, but still one of the world's finest
goal scorers. Often glides into the box and finishes calmly. Presses defenders high all across the
field.
Rank Player

14 Luis Fabiano

Country: Brazil Position: Forward

Club Team: Sevilla Age: 29

STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM
36 appearances, 25 goals

WORLD CUP

No experience
It's rather a good thing that Luis Fabiano kept being given chances, even after failing at Stade
Rennes and FC Porto. His successes at So Paolo, where the left-footed striker had scored 62
goals in just 84 games, kept enticing clubs to give him a shot, in spite of his bad reputation,
earned due to a flair for unlicensed bare-knuckle on-field boxing matches. When Sevilla took him
on in 2005, everything came together for Fabiano, allowing him to return to the Brazil team in
late 2007, which had given up on him three years prior. He has since established himself as
Brazil's top striker, beating out more talented players.
Scouting thumbnail: Temperamental Brazilian who can score in bunches. Work rate is suspect
but an explosive finisher who needs only half a chance.

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Iker Casillas
5

Country: Spain Position: Goalie

Club Team: Real Madrid Age: 28

STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

101 appearances

WORLD CUP

2002, '06: 8 app

Iker Casillas showed what he was about when, after having established himself as Real Madrid's
starting goalkeeper at barely 18, he didn't bother to upgrade his dinky secondhand car. Indeed,
Casillas is what anyone would like their goalie to be: boring and reliable. After he joined the club
when he was 9 years old and made his senior debut at 16, it's difficult to imagine Real without
Casillas, who doubles as Spain's captain. Just how good Casillas, an unrivalled shot-stopper,
really is best is illustrated by the buyout clause in the "contract for life" he signed in 2008 --
which actually runs out in 2017 -- which is set at $186 million.
Scouting thumbnail: Lacks the physical presence of other top goalkeepers but possesses
superior reflexes and positioning. Composed and deals solidly with aerial crosses.
Rank Player

16 Cesc Fabregas

Country: Spain Position: Midfielder

Club Team: Arsenal Age: 22

STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

47 appearances, 5 goals

WORLD CUP

2006: 4 app, 0 goals

It was the world's most blatant case of robbing the cradle. Cesc was 16 when Arsenal swooped in
and signed him away from Barcelona, whose academy he had come through and whose games he
had attended since he was 9 months old. Cesc, for all his ability as a classic Spanish control-the-
middle-or-die-trying midfielder, is not a regular in Spain's lineup, although he does come on
regularly as a substitute, Just 22, Cesc became a regular for Arsenal at 17, benefiting from
injuries, and has starred this season, leading the EPL with 13 assists and tied for sixth with 13
goals. He's not yet been that lucky for Spain, and seems perennially stuck behind Xavi and
Andres Iniesta.
Scouting thumbnail: Dynamic playmaker who can score, create and beat defenders on the
dribble. Always demands the ball, can be a little careless with turnovers at times.
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Gianluigi Buffon
7

Country: Italy Position: Goalie

Club Team: Juventus Age: 32

STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

100 appearances

WORLD CUP

2002, '06: 11 app

The transfer fee record for a goalkeeper set when Buffon was sold by Parma to Juventus in 2001
may never be broken -- perhaps because no goalie may ever again be so dominant at such a
young age. The stylish Buffon, who needed a little time to cement himself as Italy's undisputed
No. 1, embodies the very essence of Italian soccer: rock-solid defending with a superlative
goalkeeper as a backstop. During the 2006 World Cup, Buffon conceded only two goals -- a
penalty and an own goal -- to bookend a 453-minute goalless streak.
Scouting thumbnail: Veteran Italian goalkeeper with sound positional sense. Solid shot stopper,
rarely makes a mistake. Vulnerable to low shots.
Rank Player

18 Dani Alves
Country: Brazil Position: Defender
Club Team: Barcelona Age: 26

STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

32 appearances, 3 goals

WORLD CUP

No experience
As key member of Barcelona's stunning run to six trophies last year, Daniel Alves, a hybrid right
back/right winger, turned heads with his ability. As good a defender as he is a winger when in
possession, Alves frequently covered the wing when Lionel Messi was off cutting inside. Alves
has come a long way from the destitute Brazilian countryside where he grew up. His family
gambled what little money it had on Dani and won. Stupefyingly, Alves is not a regular for
Brazil, having to cede the spot to Maicon for reasons known only to coach Carlos Dunga.
Scouting thumbnail: Attacking fullback who's brilliant going forward as a pseudo-winger.
Combines pace, vision and playmaking skills as well as superior set-piece delivery. Defensively
vulnerable at times and can be caught out of position or muscled off the ball.

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Nemanja Vidic
9

Country: Serbia Position: Defender

Club Team: Manchester United Age: 28
STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

44 appearances, 2 goals

WORLD CUP

No experience
The most uncompromising of defenders, Nemanja Vidic is from the old school, where keeping
your man in front of you is a matter of honor and professional pride. After being plucked from
Spartak Moscow for a modest $11 million by Manchester United four years ago, Vidic emerged
as one of the very best central defenders in the world, and without a doubt the most dutiful one.
The 2008-09 Premiership Player of the Season and his laser-guided tackles and incontestable
headers had a lot do with the record 14 straight shutouts United recorded that year.
Scouting thumbnail: Powerhouse central defender who owns the box with his aerial ability, both
defensively and on offensive set pieces. No-nonsense enforcer, but can be vulnerable to pacy
forwards with strong dribbling skills.
Rank Player

20 Wesley Sneijder

Country: Netherlands Position: Midfielder

Club Team: Inter Age: 25

STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM
56 appearances, 12 goals

WORLD CUP

2006: 4 app, 0 goals

While his stature leaves him likely to trip over a postage stamp, his ego is not so encumbered.
Wesley Sneijder, while fabulously talented, is as likely to deliver an inch-perfect pass from 80
yards away as he is to hurl abuse at his coach. Suspected of being a clubhouse cancer in his native
Netherlands, whatever psychological defect he has that makes him act like a spoiled teenager is
tolerated for the positive effect he has on a team's play. On the field, Sneijder's world-class
passing game does provide the glue that will hold together the 10 players surrounding him.
Scouting thumbnail: Short, squat playmaker with vision and impressive long-range shooting
ability, harnessed with precise set-piece delivery. Can play anywhere in midfield but prefers to
operate centrally in the final third.

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Maicon
1

Country: Brazil Position: Defender

Club Team: Inter Age: 28

STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

55 appearances, 5 goals

WORLD CUP

No experience
That the tide had turned for Brazil became apparent when head coach Dunga refused to drop
Maicon for Dani Alves after the latter emerged as a superstar. Preferring to stick with the more
defensive-minded Maicon, who by no means fears the other half of the field, it became obvious
that the glory days of the all-out attack happy-go-lucky Brazil teams were over. Nonplussed by
any such suggestions, Maicon has done an admirable job of filling the giant shoes left by the
retirement of Cafu, one of the greatest right backs of all time.
Scouting thumbnail: Probably the most well-rounded fullback in the world, providing strong
defensive play with powerful surging runs down the right flank. Doesn't have a lot of flair but has
no real weaknesses.
Rank Player

22 Frank Lampard

Country: England Position: Midfielder

Club Team: Chelsea Age: 31

STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

76 appearances, 20 goals

WORLD CUP

2006: 5 apps, 0 goals

One of several of today's English internationals to emerge from the West Ham United academy,
Frank Lampard plays with a versatility that belies his English roots. The son of West Ham legend
Frank Lampard Sr., Lampard is a majestic central midfielder with a superb understanding of the
game and rapport with the ball. One of the world's finest penalty takers and long-distance
shooters, Lampard is also reliable on the other side of the ball. Neurological research showed that
Lampard has an unusually high IQ -- among the highest ever recorded by the testing company,
not just among soccer players. England can only hope he produces like he has for Chelsea, where
he has 12 goals and 10 assists this season.
Scouting thumbnail: Well-rounded central midfielder with impressive work rate and a nose for
the goal. Doesn't do any one thing exceptionally well but is above average in all areas and an
impressive finisher for a midfielder.

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Andrea Pirlo
3

Country: Italy Position: Midfielder

Club Team: Milan Age: 30

STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

64 appearances, 8 goals

WORLD CUP

2006: 7 apps, 1 goal

It took megatalent Andrea Pirlo, now 30 years old, a few years to find his feet. Pirlo, who has
gypsy roots, had made his pro debut just two days after his 16th birthday. After being picked up
by Internazionale soon after, it took three fruitless years at Inter, including two loan spells, for the
Nerazzurri to give up on him and sell him to city rival AC Milan, where he became a star. As
Pirlo pulls the strings from a deep position as playmaker, his superb long ball decides games,
whether with Milan or Italy. His ability to set a game's pace was a key ingredient to Italy's 2006
World Cup win.
Scouting thumbnail: Deep-lying playmaker with subtle skill and vision. Can control the tempo
of a game and generally delivers superb set pieces.
Rank Player
24 Carlos Tevez

Country: Argentina Position: Forward

Club Team: Manchester City Age: 26

STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

51 appearances, 8 goals

WORLD CUP

2006: 4 apps, 1 goal

We knew the world had changed when West Ham United bought a player owned by an
investment company. When Carlos Tevez moved from Boca Juniors to Corinthians in 2005, a
shady deal saw his rights go not to the latter club but to Media Sports Investments, which would
go on to rent Tevez to several clubs during the coming years before he was sold to Manchester
City for a reported $70 million this past summer, a tidy profit on MSI's $20-odd million
investment. (Manchester City isn't complaining as Tevez has tallied 15 goals in the EPL.) While
putting off numerous interested clubs with his complex contract situation, the multifunctional
forward did become an important player for Argentina.
Scouting thumbnail: Whirling buzzsaw of nonstop hustle and energy who can play anywhere
across the front line. Capable of scoring spectacular goals, but is a streaky finisher.

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Robin van Persie
5
Country: Netherlands Position: Forward
Club Team: Arsenal Age: 26

STATISTICS

NATIONAL TEAM

41 appearances, 14 goals

WORLD CUP

2006: 4 apps, 1 goal

The son of a painter and a sculptor, Robin van Persie developed a reputation as a prodigy almost
as quickly as that of a brat. He was impossible to handle in the early stages of his career. That led
to a never-ending conflict with then-Feyenoord manager Bert van Marwijk, who is now his
manager with the Netherlands, and van Persie took a shortcut to an early exit from the
professional ranks. Scooped up by Arsenal for a fraction of his worth in 2004, van Persie settled
down with his Dutch-Moroccan wife, purportedly converted to Islam and grew into a superb
attacker, capable of playing on either wing, up front or behind the striker.
Scouting thumbnail: Clever, lithe attacker who can play as a striker or in the hole. Needs work
on his heading ability but possesses every other tool in pace, finishing and long-range shooting.

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WORLD CUP 101 ARCHIVE

Use the archive to find features and learn more about the 2010 World Cup
March

Top 50 players of the World Cup

Ten must-see games of the group stage
How predictive are qualifying results?
Five U.S. storylines to watch
Five surprising World Cup runs
Most exciting player in the world
OTL reports from South Africa
Best World Cup jerseys of all time
Worst World Cup jerseys of all time
Should Beckham make England's squad?
Ten World Cup storylines to watch
Is this the year the Dutch finally win?
Which player is most overrated?
Top five surprise early exits
The goal that changed U.S. soccer
How many points are needed to advance?
New Zealand's American connection
Portugal-Brazil rivalry heats up with cultural controversy
The Eliminator: Who will win the World Cup?
Who is the most important goalie of the tournament?
Venues, light travel schedule could help U.S.
Dual-nationals like Jose Francisco Torres face tough decision
World Cup players in the MLS
Ten most controversial moments
 How do reigning continental champs do in the World Cup?
Best striker duos
Why the World Cup is better than the NCAA tournament
How important is winning your group?
Word Cup: Best soccer books
From friends to foes: Top 10 tussles involving club teammates
How soccer's young stars have been doing
April
Why Messi's hot streak is good news for Argentina
Players whose transfer value could increase
Introducing the World Cup Weekly podcast
South Africa travel tips
Three breakout players to watch
Reviewing "2010 FIFA World Cup" video game
How important is winning your first game?
Update on some key injured players
The hairy history of the World Cup
Which team could disappoint?
Which team could surprise?
Assessing South Africa's chances
Group A analysis and breakdown
Why scoring will go up this World Cup
Best performances by young players
Best old-player performances
Our favorite World Cup memories
Cooler weather could lead to more exciting tournament
Do age and experience matter?
Clint Dempsey profiled on 'E:60'
Group B analysis and breakdown
Injuries, poor play and scandals have France in disarray
The butterfly effect: A game of skill ... and luck
Which is the best rivalry?
The ultimate World Cup playlist
Three reasons England could win ... three reasons it won't
Wright Thompson: A trip to Haiti
Group C analysis and breakdown
 Which is more important, scoring goals or preventing them?
Ten most lunatic managing decisions
May
Who will lead the World Cup in scoring?
Why the World Cup may be disappointing for African teams
World Cup history lessons
Group D analysis and breakdown
Who starts at left back for United States?
Italy looks to defend title with aging roster
Thirty-four things to be excited about
1994 U.S. squad: Where are they now?
Mexico's defense looks strong, but offense still a question
Group E analysis and breakdown
Watch: Team vignette preview videos
Breaking down the U.S. midfield situation
Video: What do the players think about the big questions?
Ruud Gullit picks his all-time top 10 No. 10s
What's your dream matchup?
World Cup predictions from former U.S. players
Group F analysis and breakdown
In Honduras, soccer defines life
I Scored A Goal video feature
All-Star team of players missing from the World Cup
How do players who led top European leagues in scoring do?
Underrated players who will play a vital role in their teams' success
Ronaldo, Drogba and other divers the refs will be watching
Whistle-blowers: Five refs to keep an eye on
Group G analysis and breakdown
How to sound smart about the World Cup
Ronaldo, Drogba, Eto'o and Pienaar: Four players who must carry their teams
Germany facing problems up front
Play fantasy football -- World Cup style, that is
Video: A goal, a ghost -- the story of Joe Gaetjens
Group H analysis and breakdown
June
Team previews: Group A and Group B
 Team previews: Group C and Group D

TOP 50 PLAYERS IN THE WORLD CUP

Click on a player's name to go to his individual profile:
NO
PLAYER
.

1 Lionel Messi, Argentina

Cristiano Ronaldo,
2
Portugal

3 Wayne Rooney, England

4 Kaka, Brazil

5 Xavi, Spain

Didier Drogba, Ivory

6
Coast

7 Andres Iniesta, Spain

8 Fernando Torres, Spain

Steven Gerrard,
9
England

10 Michael Essien, Ghana

11 David Villa, Spain

12 Franck Ribery, France

13 Samuel Eto'o, Cameroon

14 Luis Fabiano, Brazil

15 Iker Casillas, Spain

16 Cesc Fabregas, Spain

17 Gianluigi Buffon, Italy

18 Dani Alves, Brazil

19 Nemanja Vidic, Serbia

Wesley Sneijder,
20
Netherlands
NO
PLAYER
.

21 Maicon, Brazil

Frank Lampard,
22
England

23 Andrea Pirlo, Italy

24 Carlos Tevez, Argentina

Robin van Persie,

25
Netherlands

Gonzalo Higuain,
26
Argentina

27 Diego Forlan, Uruguay

28 Thierry Henry, France

Sergio Aguero,
29
Argentina

Michael Ballack,
30
Germany

31 Julio Cesar, Brazil

Arjen Robben,
32
Netherlands

33 Gerard Pique, Spain

Miroslav Klose,
34
Germany

35 Lucio, Brazil

Javier Mascherano,
36
Argentina

37 John Terry, England

38 David Silva, Spain

39 Carles Puyol, Spain

40 Nicolas Anelka, France

NO
PLAYER
.

41 Ashley Cole, England

42 Patrice Evra, France

43 Marek Hamsik, Slovakia

44 Karim Benzema, France

45 Yoann Gourcuff, France

46 Daniele De Rossi, Italy

47 Philipp Lahm, Germany

48 Yaya Toure, Ivory Coast

49 Giorgio Chiellini, Italy

Landon Donovan,
50
United States

SOUTH AFRICA WORLD CUP 2010

GROUP A

France | History
Mexico | History
South Africa | History
Uruguay | History
Group A Home
GROUP B

Argentina | History
Greece | History
Nigeria | History
South Korea | History
Group B Home
GROUP C

Algeria | History
England | History
Slovenia | History
United States | History
Group C Home
GROUP D

Australia | History
Germany | History
Ghana | History
Serbia | History
Group D Home
GROUP E

Cameroon | History
Denmark | History
Japan | History
Netherlands | History
Group E Home
GROUP F

Italy | History
New Zealand | History
Paraguay | History
Slovakia | History
Group F Home
GROUP G

Brazil | History
Ivory Coast | History
North Korea | History
Portugal | History
Group G Home
GROUP H

Chile | History
Honduras | History
Spain | History
Switzerland | History
Group H Home
History:
Venues
Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Durban Stadium, Durban
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg

HOME
NEWS & OPINION
VIDEO
FIXTURES & RESULTS
TEAMS & GROUPS
ABOUT
GAMES
Top of Form
null true true

Bottom of Form

SPECIALS
Jon Carter
Goals and gaffes in the opening games

John Brewin
Northern exposure a real treat

REGULARS
Fifth Official
No knockout blows

On This Day
Argentina score a dream team goal - June 16
 Ask Norman
How Bobby Moore nearly missed '66

BLOGS
South Africa Daily
Destination South Africa

WRITERS
Andrew Warshaw
The Power of Diego

Phil Ball
It's a funny old game

Norman Hubbard
Teams prepare for tactical tinkering

Andrew Hush
Stuttering start for African challengers

Ernesto Garrido
Dunga needs to turn over a new leaf

HEADLINES
RSA 0-3 Uru: Parreira slams ref
Esp 0-1 Sui: Del Bosque unhappy at tactics
Honduras 0-1 Chile
Italy's Buffon reportedly out of World Cup
Diego lashes out at Pele and Platini
Team-mate backs Kaka to shine for Brazil
Campbell 'hurt' by England snub
FIFA file charges against beer company

MY HEADLINES
Personalise your headlines

Galleries Archive | News Archive

SCORES & SCHEDULES - Group Stage View Scoreboard

June 15, 2010
Full Time
Group F

 NZL
1-1
SVK
ReportGameCast
Full Time
Group G

CIV
0-0
POR
ReportGameCast
Full Time
Group G

BRA
2-1
PRK
ReportGameCast
June 16, 2010
Full Time
Group H

HON
0-1
CHI
ReportGameCast
Full Time
Group H

ESP
0-1
SUI
ReportGameCast
Full Time
Group A

 RSA
0-3
URU
ReportGameCast
June 17, 2010
11:30 GMT
Group B

ARG
v
KOR
PreviewGameCast
14:00 GMT
Group B

GRE
v
NGA
PreviewGameCast
18:30 GMT
Group A

FRA
v
MEX
PreviewGameCast
June

11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
 20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
July
2
3
6
7
10
11
Scores | Fixtures | Wallchart

Featured Videos

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Wayne Rooney believes England played well against the USA...

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Gary Bailey discusses ...

Dan Williams sits down with Gary Bailey and discusses the...

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ON TV

South Africa Nightly

Ray Stubbs offers a nightly preview to the next day's action (ESPN globally). More

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The tournament's hottest talking points under the microscope (ESPN globally). More

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Watch the best all-time World Cup moments from the last 40 years (Across Europe). More
Video Archive

Algeria (Group C)
Argentina (B)
Australia (D)
Brazil (G)
 Cameroon (E)
Chile (H)
Denmark (E)
England (C)
France (A)
Germany (D)
Ghana (D)
Greece (B)
Honduras (H)
Italy (F)
Ivory Coast (G)
Japan (E)
Mexico (A)
Netherlands (E)
New Zealand (F)
Nigeria (B)
North Korea (G)
Paraguay (F)
Portugal (G)
Serbia (D)
Slovakia (F)
Slovenia (C)
South Africa (A)
South Korea (B)
Spain (H)
Switzerland (H)
United States (C)
Uruguay (A)
View Groups:
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Group E
Group F
Group G
 Group H
Table
Complete World Cup Fixtures

2010 VENUES
Soccer City, Johannesburg
Capacity: 91,700 | Built: 1989
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Durban Stadium, Durban
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Peter Mokab Stadium, Polokwane
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg

KEY DATES
Group stage: June 11-25
Second round: June 26-29
Quarter-finals: July 2, 3
Semi-finals: July 6, 7
Final: July 11
World Cup 2014: Brazil

STATS & RECORDS

Current tournament stats
World Cup records

WORLD CUP HISTORY

Germany 2006
Korea / Japan 2002
France 1998
United States 1994
Italy 1990
Mexico 1986
 Spain 1982
Argentina 1978
West Germany 1974
Mexico 1970
England 1966
Chile 1962
Sweden 1958
Switzerland 1954
Brazil 1950
France 1938
Italy 1934
Uruguay 1930

Soccernet Bracket Predictor

First select which two teams will advance out of each the eight groups. The order you select
them - 1st or 2nd - determines where they are placed in the 16-team bracket. Then predict the
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Friday, June 11, 2010.
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Soccer Pick'em
Accumulate the most points by correctly selecting the "winning pick" for each of the sixty-four
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prizes awarded, sign up now!
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Soccernet World Fantasy
Play against your friends and the rest of the world for a chance to win a Dream Football Holiday!
Select a 15-player squad from the 32 competing nations - within a $100M salary cap - then
choose your Starting XI during each Gameweek of the tourney. If you have the most points after
the Final, you win the holiday!
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Soccernet Knockout Bracket

Complete a bracket by selecting the winning team for each of the 15 tournament matches. All
brackets lock at the kickoff of the knockout stage on Saturday, June 26, 2010. Points are awarded
for each correct pick, with point values increasing as the tournaments progress. Overall prizes
awarded, sign up now!
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