David Beckham

Name: David Robert Joseph Beckham
Nicknames: Becks, Goldenballs, DB7

Nationality: English

Date and Place of Birth: 2nd May 1975, Leytonstone, London, England.

Playing Position: Right midfield / central midfield

Current Club: Los Angeles Galaxy (Major League Soccer)

Previous Clubs: 1993–2003 Manchester United - 265 appearances, 61 goals
1995 Preston North End (loan) - 5 appearances, 2 goals
2003–2007 Real Madrid

2007 - present LA Galaxy

International Career: 1996 – present England

Former England captain.

Family: Wife: Victoria Beckham (a.k.a. Posh Spice)
Children: 3 sons (Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz)

About David Beckham:

As perhaps the most famous footballer on the planet, David Beckham should need no introduction. As famous for his pop star wife, his ever changing hairstyles and his multimillion pound endorsement deals with major worldwide companies such as Adidas and Gillette as he is for his football, David Beckham truly transcended the boundaries between football as a sport and as a promotional tool for the larger Beckham celebrity brand.

As a player he burst onto the scene as a fresh faced goalscoring midfielder at Manchester United in the mid 1990s and became the poster boy for that generation of talent nurtured by Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford which dominated English club football throughout the 1990s.

A dead ball specialist, Beckham was never blessed with great pace however his fantastic passing and crossing ability from wide areas and a high work ethic made him one of European football's hottest properties on the way to collecting numerous English Premiership and FA Cup titles as well as the European Cup in 1999 as part of Manchester United's legendary treble winning side.

As his notoriety increased after his sending off in the World Cup in 1998 Beckham's career continued to rise to make him England captain and second only to Rivaldo as European Footballer of the Year in 1999. As Beckham's off field fame grew, his relationship with mentor Sir Alex Ferguson deteriorated culminating in the infamous boot kicking incident in the Manchester United dressing room which saw Beckham sporting a cut head. The relationship between the two never recovered and Beckham eventually moved to Real Madrid in the summer of 2003.

At Madrid the Beckham commercial machine went into overdrive as the most recognisable face in world football cashed in on his now worldwide appeal as a member of Real Madrid's "galactico" collection.

For England, Beckham scored in three separate World Cups and captained his country for six years, playing 94 times and scoring 17 international goals.

Beckham announced in January 2007 that he wouldn't be renewing his contract at Real Madrid and had signed a five year deal with Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer effective from July 2007 and worth a reputed £128 / $250 million.

His arrival at LA Galaxy in July 2007 saw a media frenzy as the US press and public rushed to catch a glimpse of the new "saviour" of Major League Soccer.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Nationality: Swedish

Date and Place of Birth: Born October 3, 1981 in Malmo, Sweden

Playing Position: Striker

Current Club: Inter Milan (Italian Serie A)

Club Career: 1999-2001 Malmo FF
2001-2004 Ajax
2004-2006 Juventus
2006–present Inter Milan

International Career: 2001–present - Sweden

About Zlatan Ibrahimovic:

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was born in 1981 and has succeeded in rising to the top level of European football to be considered as one of the strongest and talented current strikers. Ibrahimovic grew up as a child in Malmo, Sweden and began playing football at the tender age of ten for a local club side. Ibrahimovic had an obvious talent and his impressive performances led him to join Malmo FC in 1995.

Ibrahimovic’s performances soon drew attention from larger clubs with Malmo turning down a request from English Premier League side Arsenal FC for the young man’s signature. Arsenal were not the only club interested in Ibrahimovic and he soon signed for Ajax in 2001.

At Ajax, Ibrahimovic forced himself into first team contention and secured his place as an integral member of the team. At Ajax, Ibrahimovic received the opportunity to showcase his talents on the European stage competing in the Champion’s League and gaining admiration for his strong and imposing performances.

Following a confrontation with fellow Ajax team mate Rafael van der Vaart, Ibrahimovic left the club signing for Italian giants Juventus. At Juventus, Ibrahimovic quickly stamped his authority on the team becoming a regular and he continued to impress with his prolific scoring ability. Due to his outstanding efforts Ibrahimovic received a nomination for the 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year. However, the following season saw Ibrahimovic struggle to score consistently and pressure mounted. After Juventus were relegated due to a match fixing scandal Ibrahimovic left the club for fellow Italian side Inter Milan.

At Inter Milan Ibrahimovic has shown consistent form helping the club to secure the Scuddetto at the end of the 2006-07 season. Ibrahimovic’s strong performances led him to be compared to legend Marco Van Basten and it is clear that he has a bright future in front of him.

Ibrahimovic plays for the Swedish national side and has competed in the 2002 World Cup, Euro 2004 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup as part of the Sweden squad.

Gigi Buffon

Nationality: Italian

Date and Place of Birth: Born January 28, 1978 in Carrara, Italy

Playing Position: Goalkeeper

Current Club: Juventus (Italian Serie A)

Club Career: 1995-2001 Parma
2001-Present Juventus

International Career: 1997 – Present - Italy

About Gigi Buffon:

Born into a family of athletes in Carrara, Italy in January 1978, Gianluigi Buffon always seemed destined to become a professional sportsman in his own right. Eschewing the athletic background of his parents, young Buffon followed in the footsteps of his grandfather's cousin, Lorenzo Buffon, a former Inter Milan and Italian international goalkeeper during the 1950s and 1960s.

Gigi Buffon worked his way through the youth ranks at Parma and was signed as a professional at the age of 17 in 1995, going on to make his Serie A debut for the club against AC Milan that year and winning the UEFA Cup with Parma in 1999.

Buffon went on to make 168 appearances for Parma while building a reputation as one of Europe's best young goalkeeping talents and it wasn't long until the major clubs starting looking his way. Juventus won the auction for Buffon's services in 2001 and paid Parma a world record fee of over £32m for the 23 year old shot stopper. Personal accolades such as UEFA's Most Valuable Player Award and Best Goalkeeper Awards have continued to add to Buffon's trophy cabinet alongside notable club and international successes as Scudetto champions with Juventus and in 2006 a World Cup victory with Italy.

The Calciopoli scandal which saw Juventus relegated to Serie B did not scare Buffon away from the club and he duly helped the club to the Serie B title in 2006/2007 as they battled their way back to Serie A in only one season.

Buffon's international career began as a 19 year old when he replaced the injured Gianluca Pagliuca in goal but it was to be a few years before he made the position his own. Buffon's greatest career triumph has to be the 2006 World Cup where he kept a 453-minute scoreless streak as he helped propel Italy to World Cup glory.

Kaka

Name: Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite
Nicknames: Kaká, The Golden Boy

Nationality: Brazilian

Date and Place of Birth: April 22, 1982 in Brasília, Brazil

Playing Position: Midfield

Current Club: A.C. Milan (Italian Serie A)

Club Career History: 2001-2003 São Paulo - 58 appearances, 23 goals
2003-present A.C. Milan

International Career: 2002-present Brazil

About Kaka:

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, or Kaká as he is better known, began developing his football talents at an early age in Brazil. However his footballing career was nearly brought to a premature end when in September 2000 at age 18 Kaká suffered a possible paralysis-inducing spine fracture as a result of a pool accident. Despite this career threatening injury Kaká made a full recovery and made his debut at Sao Paulo FC in 2001.

Kaká scored 22 goals in 49 appearances for Sao Paulo FC over the next two seasons attracting attention from the major European Clubs. AC Milan won the race for the young man’s signature and Kaká joined the Italian club in 2003 for a fee of £8.5 million. Kaká settled into life at the San Siro quickly and became a first team regular in his first month at the club. Kaká managed to score 10 goals in 30 appearances for Milan in the 2003-2004 season assisting the club to lift the Italian Serie A title and the European Super Cup.

Kaká’s career has flourished at AC Milan and his skills and talents were widely celebrated by the footballing world when he was awarded the Best Midfielder of the Champion’s League tournament in the 2004-2005 season, this despite Milan being beaten in the final by Liverpool. Kaká’s sparkling displays of footballing genius in the midfield position have seen football pundits drawing comparisons to Diego Maradona.

In 2006 Real Madrid set the football press gossip columns alight when they enquired about signing the Brazilian star but they were rebuked by Milan who insisted Kaká was not for sale. Kaká ended all speculation by signing a new contract with AC Milan keeping him at the San Siro until 2011.

Kaká has become an integral part of the Brazilian National team from first making his debut back in January 2002 and he even played a role in Brazil’s 2002 Fifa World Cup win. Kaká has matured into a midfield dynamo for Brazil and is currently considered as one of the national team’s best players. In the Fifa World Cup 2006 Kaká scored Brazil’s first goal of the tournament but despite a strong start in the group stages Brazil were knocked out by France in the quarter finals.

At only 24 years of age Kaká’s talents have seen him become a respected player in both the European and International stage playing for both club and country.

Ronaldinho

Name: Ronaldo de Assis Moreira
Nicknames: Ronaldinho Gaúcho, The One Man Show, Dinho, Ronnie

Nationality: Brazilian

Date and Place of Birth: March 21, 1980 - Porto Alegre, Brazil

Playing Position: Attacking Midfielder / Forward

Current Club: Barcelona (Spanish La Liga)

Previous Clubs: 1998-2001 Grêmio 110 appearances, 37 goals
2001-2003 Paris St. Germain 55 appearances, 17 goals
2003-present FC Barcelona

International Career: 1999-present Brazil

About Ronaldinho: Born into a footballing family (his late father Joao played for Cruzeiro and his brother, now his manager, Roberto played for Gremio), the young Ronaldinho found more enjoyment in futsal and beach football before graduating to playing the standard game.

He began his football career at his brother's old club Gremio in the youth team under future Brazil World Cup winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and progressed to the first team aged 18 in 1998 and had made his Brazilian national team debut a year later in 1999.

His goalscoring exploits and sublime skill on the ball drew much attention from Europe and in 2001 Ronaldinho left Gremio to move to France and Paris St. Germain. His time in Paris was littered with fallings out with then PSG coach Luis Fernandez who disapproved of Ronaldinho's love of Parisian nightlife and after two mildly successful years in France he again packed his bags and headed for Barcelona.

In his first season at Barcelona Ronaldinho more than justified his reputed £18m price tag as he helped coax the Catalan giants into second place in La Liga and earnt himself the title of 2004 World Player of the Year.

Having caught the eye of big spending Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, Ronaldinho was the subject of a failed £60m bid from the West London club and despite the resignation of his friend Sandor Rosell as Barcelona's vice president of sports, he signed a new contract in late 2005 with the Catalan club.

As well as helping Barcelona to back to back La Liga titles in 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 and the European Champion's League in 2006, Ronaldinho has also won a host of personal awards including:

FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005
FIFPro World Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006
European Footballer of the Year in 2005
UEFA Champions League Best Forward in 2004-05
World Soccer Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005
and UEFA Champions League Most Valuable Player in 2005-06.

Ronaldinho also became a World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002.

Robinho

Name: Robson de Souza

Nationality: Brazilian

Date and Place of Birth: January 25, 1984 in São Vicente, São Paulo state, Brazil

Playing Position: Left Winger, Second Striker

Current Club: Real Madrid (La Liga)

Club Career: 2002 – 2005 Santos
2005 - present Real Madrid

International Career: 2003 - present Brazil

About Robinho:

Robson de Souza, more commonly known simply as "Robinho", is an exciting Brazilian footballer who is widely regarded as one of the most talented players in European football. Born in a poor Brazilian neighbourhood Robinho began to play football at an early age and signed for Biera-Mar at the tender age of six. Robinho's talents were obvious for all to see and he was soon playing at the Santos youth academy under the careful tutelage of Brazilian legend Pele.

Robinho signed his first professional contract with Santos after impressing the coaching staff with his speed and dazzling displays of exceptional trickery. At Santos Robinho was able to continue improving his skills and his impressive performances drew attention from some of Europe’s largest clubs. However, despite the interest in Robinho Santos were reluctant to let go of their influential goalscorer and playmaker and therefore Robinho remained at the Brazilian club until 2005 when he finally moved to European supremos Real Madrid.

At Real Madrid Robinho initially found it difficult to adapt to the European style of play and the Brazilian maestro struggled to impress showing only flashes of his outstanding capability. Things didn’t get any better as Robinho fell out of favour with Real Madrid’s then Coach, Fabio Capello. However, Robinho fought back concentrating on the football and had soon pushed his way back into the first team. It was during this time that Robinho finally settled at Real Madrid shining amongst his fellow team mates with some impressive performances. Robinho has become a key member of the squad and was influential in Real Madrid lifting the League title at the end of the 2006-07 season.

Robinho plays for the Brazil national team and was a influential member of the squad that participated in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Recently, Robinho celebrated with his fellow team mates as Brazil lifted the 2007 Copa America and personally as he was named top scorer and overall best player of the tournament.

Thierry Henry

Name: Thierry Daniel Henry
Nicknames: Titi, TH14

Nationality: French

Date and Place of Birth: August 17, 1977 in Paris, France

Playing Position: Forward

Current Club: Barcelona (Spanish La Liga)

Club Career History: 1994-1998 Monaco - 110 appearances, 20 goals
1998-1999 Juventus - 16 appearances, 3 goals
1999-2007 Arsenal
2007-present Barcelona

International Career: 1997-present France

About Thierry Henry:

Thierry Henry is a product of the French Football Federation's youth programme having graduated through the ranks at renowned youth football academy Clairefontaine before making his move into professional football with A.S. Monaco in 1994 at the age of 17.

Given his debut by then Monaco coach Arsene Wenger, the young Henry became a fixture on the Monaco left wing where his tricky skills and electrifying pace allowed him to skip past fullbacks almost at will.
Having layed 110 times and scored 20 goals in the red and white of Monaco, Henry used a fine set of displays during France's victorious 1998 World Cup campaign to earn himself a £10m move from the Principality to the more refined footballing air of Turin and Serie A with Juventus.

Henry found it difficult to adjust to the more defensive minded approach of the Italian game and was labelled something of a big money flop in Italy before his former mentor at Monaco, Arsene Wenger, paid £11m to rescue him from Turin and bring him to the English Premiership with Arsenal in 1999.

Still short of confidence following his year long ordeal in Italy, Henry failed to find the net in his first ten starts for Arsenal and was in danger of being labelled a failure again before Wenger decided to play him solely at centre forward rather than on the wing and the goals began to come.

Seven years later and Thierry Henry had been top scorer at Arsenal in each season he has been at the club and is now the club's all-time record goalscorer. Widely regarded by many as the greatest player to ever play for Arsenal, Thierry Henry repaid Arsene Wenger's early faith in him by refusing moves to Barcelona and Real Madrid and penning a new four year contract in the summer of 2006 despite Arsenal's defeat in the 2005/2006 European Cup final.

Arsenal's inability to compete in the transfer market or on the pitch, coupled with the departure of David Dein from the club and Arsene Wenger's inability to commit his own future beyond 2007/2008, led Henry to finally call time on his Arsenal career in the summer of 2007. A £16m move to long time admirers Barcelona was agreed and Thierry Henry now begins a new life as one of Barcelona's famous forward line at the Nou Camp.

Deco

Name:

Anderson Luis de Sousa

Nickname: Deco, Mágico

Nationality:

Brazilian born with Portuguese citizenship

Date and Place of Birth:

August 27, 1977 in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil

Playing Position:

Midfield

Current Club:

Chelsea (English Premier League)

Club Career History:

1996-1997 Corinthians
1997 CSA
1997 - 1998 Alverca

1998 Salgueiros
1999 - 2004 FC Porto
2004 - 2008 FC Barcelona
2008 - present Chelsea

International Career:

2003 – present Portugal

About Deco:

For a player with such a European pedigree at this stage of his career, Deco's early forays into the European game were somewhat less than earth shattering. He initially came to Portugal as a 19 year old in 1997 on trial with Benfica but after failing to impress sufficiently there he was loaned to Alverca of the Portuguese Liga de Honra (second division) where he had a successful season scoring 13 goals in his 32 appearances.

After failing to agree terms again with Benfica, Deco moved on to Salgueiros where he caught the eye of FC Porto and was transferred again in the winter transfer window to the club where he would eventually make his name.

Displaying an unexpected aggressive streak for one of such small stature, Deco became as famous in his early years at Porto for his tough tackling reputation as his skills on the ball which earned him the nickname "magico" from Porto fans.

Deco's real talent was shown under then Porto coach Jose Mourinho as he helped the club firstly to the UEFA Cup in 2002/2003 with 10 goals in 30 games and the following season to a surprise Portuguese league and European Cup double, for which he earned himself the title of UEFA's Most Valuable Player and best midfielder in the Champion's League competition.

Following defeat for Portugal in the 2004 European Championships final, Deco moved to FC Barcelona rather than follow his mentor Mourinho to Chelsea and has since added another European Cup winner's medal and two La Liga titles with the Catalan club.

Having established himself as the playmaker for both his adopted home country of Portugal and European champions Barcelona, Deco has come a long way from the young boy from Brazil who failed to impress Graeme Souness in his time at Benfica.

Michael Ballack

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Name: Michael Ballack

Nicknames: Kapitano, Balle, Michi

Nationality: German

Date and Place of Birth: 26 September 1976 in Görlitz, Saxony, (the former East) Germany

Playing Position: Midfield

Current Club: Chelsea (English Premiership)

Club Career History: 1995-1997 Chemnitzer FC - 49 appearances, 10 goals

1997-1999 1. FC Kaiserslautern - 46 appearances, 4 goals

1999-2002 Bayer Leverkusen - 79 appearances, 27 goals

2002-2006 FC Bayern Munich - 107 appearances, 44 goals

2006-present Chelsea

International Career: 1999-present Germany

Ballack's Early Career:

Michael Ballack’s footballing career started early when his parents sent him to train with BSG Motor Karl-Marx-Stadt at the tender age of seven. Ballack quickly imposed himself in the team developing his skills and remarkable ability to use both feet with equal confidence which earned him a move onto FC Karl-Marx-Stadt, later to become Chemnitz in 1990.

Becoming A Professional Footballer:

Michael Ballack received his first professional contract with the club in 1995 and he was highly praised for his commanding performances in the central midfield role. Ballack made his debut on 4th August 1995 and in March 1996 his exceptional talent was recognised as he was called up to the Under 21 Germany National team. Ballack became a first team regular at Chimnitz before being snapped up by FC Kaiserslauten in 1997.

About Michael Ballack:

Ballack made his Bundesliga debut with Kaiserslauten in the 1997-1998 season by March 1998 he had negotiated himself into the starting line up making a total of 16 appearances for the team. Ballack’s efforts were duly rewarded Kaiserslauten became the first ever newly promoted club to win the Bundesliga title. At only 22 years of age Michael Ballack moved to Bayer Leverkusen in July 1999.

It was Bayern Leverkusen where Ballack made his sensational break through as a top flight player to be reckoned with. Ballack was given a free reign by the management of Leverkusen to control the game from the midfield and he quickly received recognition as one of Europe’s best midfielders.

Ballack left Leverkusen after the 2001-2002 season and signed for Bayern Munich for a fee of €12.9 where he settled into a more defensive midfield role. Ballack won the Bundesliga title in his first season with the club and became an institution at Bayern who was widely regarded as an automatic starter for the team. Ballack did come under heavy criticism at times for his failure to perform in important Champions League matches coupled by attacks that he was motivated by money. Before his high profile move to Chelsea was complete Ballack was jeered by the loyal Bayern supporters who believed that his move to Chelsea was being dictated by his greed.

Ballack signed for London based Chelsea in May 2006 and he made his Premiership debut against Blackburn Rovers FC on 27th August 2006. Many fans and football pundits have criticised Ballack on his weak performances for Chelsea thus far as he has failed to impress. It seems Ballack is finding it difficult to adjust to the style of the Premiership and he has yet to prove his worth to his new team with rumours surfacing that he is only interested in the money.

Ballack has received international success in his career and is the current Captain of the German National side who played in the recent Fifa World Cup. Ballack played a part in the World Cup despite suffering from injury problems and he ended the campaign with no goals, one assist and was named man of the match in Germany’s games against both Ecuador and Argentina. Ballack was included in the FIFA World Cup All Star team.

Xabi Alonso

Position: Midfielder

Born: 05.07.82
Club: Liverpool

Xabi Alonso was not even guaranteed a start for Spain during Euro 2004 but he will enter the World Cup regarded as one of the finest midfielders in Europe.

A graduate of Real Sociedad's youth system, Alonso made his debut in 1999 and was a rare bright spark during the club's troubled 2001/2002 season. The following season he was at the heart of the resurgent Sociedad side that finished second in La Liga and qualified for the Champions League.In the summer of 2004, new Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez convinced the club to invest £10.5million in Alonso and the midfielder quickly proved value for money.In an incredible first season at Anfield, Alonso instantly won over fans with his enterprising passing but then broke his ankle before scoring in the remarkable Champions League triumph over Milan.Alonso's elegant passing and enviable vision make him a player of rare finesse and the rigours of the English game, injuries aside, have improved his defensive play.In 2005/2006 Alonso built on his formidable partnership with Steven Gerrard in Liverpool's vastly-improved Premiership campaign.Two sensational goals for the Reds in a 5-3 FA Cup win over Luton, one from well inside his own half, demonstrated his outstanding skill once again.He has also transferred his superb form into the red shirt of Spain and will be a key figure in the centre of midfield in Germany.

Full name: Luis Lionel Andrés Messi
Birth day: June 24, 1987
Birthplace: Rosario, Argentina
Nationality: Argentinian
Other nationality: Spanish
EU passport: Yes
Height: 169 cm
Weight: 67 kg
Club: FC Barcelona
Position: Forward
Debut: 17 November 2003


Lionel Andrés Messi (born June 24, 1987 in Rosario) is an Argentine football (soccer) player.

Lionel Messi started playing football at a very early age in his hometown's Newell's Old Boys. From the age of 11, he suffered from a hormone deficiency and as Lionel's parents were unable to pay for the treatment in Argentina, they decided to move to Barcelona, Spain.

In the 2003-2004 season, when he was still only 16, Messi made his first team debut in a friendly with Porto that marked the opening of the new Dragao stadium. The following championship-winning season, Messi made his first appearance in an official match on October 16, 2004, in Barcelona's derby win against Espanyol at the Olympic Stadium (0-1).

With several first team players seriously injured, the services of several reserve team players were called upon, and Messi became a regular feature of Barça squads. On May 1, 2005, he became the youngest player ever to score a league goal for FC Barcelona - against Albacete when Messi was only 17 years, 10 months and 7 days old.

He was offered the chance to play for the Spain national football team, but declined, prefering to wait for the opportunity to play for the country of his birth. In June 2004 he got his chance, playing in a U-20 friendly match against Paraguay.
Lionel Messi wearing FC Barcelona's colorsIn June 2005 he starred for the Argentina U-20 team that won the Football World Youth Championship played in The Netherlands. Messi picked up the Golden Boot as top scorer with 6 goals, and the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament. Despite his youth, Lionel has already drawn comparisons with Diego Maradona, arguably the best football player of all time.

On September 25, 2005 Messi obtained a Spanish citizenship and was finally able to make his debut in this season's Spanish First Division. He had previously been unable to play because FC Barcelona had filled up all of their quota of non-EU players.

Messi's first outing in the UEFA Champions League at the Nou Camp was on Sept 28 against Italian club Udinese. He impressed with some great passing and a seemingly telepathic relationship with Ronaldinho that earned him a standing ovation from the 70,000-odd Nou Camp faithful. On December of that year, the Italian newspaper Tuttosport awarded him the Golden Boy 2005 title for the best under-21 player in Europe, over Wayne Rooney and Lukas Podolski

STEVEN GERRARD

STEVEN GERRARD

Position: Midfield

Height: 6'2

Weight: 12st 3lbs

Date of Birth: 1980-05-30 Whiston, England

Steven Gerrard has grown used to the plaudits that have rained down on him since his Premiership debut in December 1998. 'The future of England's success' is a strong claim to make about one player, but where Gerrard is concerned it is not an exaggeration.Having graduated from the Liverpool Youth Academy, Gerrard is one of the most exciting talents in the English game. He is a midfielder that combines commitment, aggression, attacking instincts and the ability to create as well as score goals. In short, the complete player. But such is his versatility, Gerrard is also a regular at right-back.Niggling injuries, owing more to his continuing physical development rather than any professional over-enthusiasm (6ft tall Gerrard was the same height as Michael Owen when he made his debut) have frustrated those who want to see him in every possible game for Liverpool and indeed England, but Gerrard Houllier remained determined not to burn out his star player by playing him in every game.
2000/01 was a season of achievements for Gerrard. Having starred in England's Euro 2000 victory over rivals Germany, the young midfielder went on to collect Worthington Cup, FA Cup and Uefa Cup winners medals as Liverpool completed a tremendous treble. As if to prove his personal progress, he also picked up individual honours in the form of the prestigious PFA Young Player of the Year award and the Liverpool supporters' vote as Player of the Season.
He struggled to find his form early in 2001/02, but he was instrumental in England's 5-1 demolition of Germany in Munich, scoring the first goal. Injury problems once again meant that he was unable to make a regular impression on Liverpool's season, but when he was available, he was vital to their push for trophies.
However, his season ended in disappointment as the Reds failed to emulate their previous glittering season and ended the season empty-handed. Dissapointment hit once more as a groin injury deprived him of a place in England's 2002 World Cup squad.
After overcoming that groin problem, Gerrard went on to perform brilliantly during the Reds' 2002/03 campaign, making 54 appearances in all competitions, and scoring 7 goals. He also featured heavily in Sven Goran Eriksson's England plans, playing in 6 international games and scored his second international goal.However, the 2003/04 season was dissapointing for Gerrard as Liverpool could only finish fourth in the Barclays Premiership. Having been knocked out relativly early in both FA and Carling Cups, a miserable season was capped with defeat to Marseille in the UEFA Cup Fourth Round.
Euro 2004 was to prove equally dissapointing for the hungry Gerrard. After a bad start losing a 1-0 lead to France in the last few minutes, England recovered briefly, escaping their group before eventually losing on penalties to hosts Portugal at the Quarter-Final stage.
The 2004/05 campaign, however, was to prove more successful for him. Despite constant talk linking him with a move to Chelsea and dissapointment in the Barclays Premiership (Liverpool could finish only fifth, behind bitter rivals Everton), he stuck with the Reds helping them to a memorable Champions League victory, scoring the crucial first goal in their return from three goals down. He was also a competitor for the PFA Player of the Year Award, although he lost out to England team-mate John Terry.
2005/06 was a season that lasted almost 12 months for Gerrard with Liverpool kicking off their defence of the Champions League trophy in July 2005, while he was representing his country at the World Cup until early July 2006. It ended in despair for him as he missed a penalty in their shoot-out defeat to Portugal.However, he had enjoyed more success from the spot with Liverpool a few weeks earlier, when he scored in their penalty shoot-out win over West Ham United, another game in which he showed how important he is for his club.
He again proved to be a vital player for the Reds in the 2006/07 season, but ended the season trophyless having lost the Champions' League final against AC Milan.

Cesc Fabregas

Position: Midfielder

Born: 04.05.87
Club: Arsenal

One of the most exciting young talents in European football, Cesc Fabregas has had to step into some big shoes at club level, replacing the enormously influential Patrick Vieira in the Arsenal midfield.

And it is testament to his ability that he has proved an excellent replacement, if not in the Premiership then certainly in the Champions League.

The youngest-ever Arsenal goalscorer having found the net at the age of 16 years and 212 days in the 5-1 League Cup win against Wolves in December 2003, Fabregas has gone on to become an integral part of their first-team squad and has won widespread praise for his mature performances.

For Spain, he was still playing at Under-17 level two years ago and only made his senior debut in March but his efforts in helping Arsenal into the Champions League final could well see him sneak a starting spot this summer.

If he does that, it would mark a phenomenal rise to fame for the former Barcelona youngster, but all the signs so far are he will take everything in his stride and rise to the occasion.

Nani

Full name: Luis Carlos Almeida da Cunha

Position: Forward

Date of Birth: 17 November 1986

Birthplace: Amadora, Portugal

Nani is the latest outstanding talent to be produced by Sporting’s seemingly endless conveyor belt of world-class wingers. The same system that produced Luis Figo, Simao, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma appears to have unearthed another sensation capable of attaining the heights of such exalted company.

Nani was brought up in the poor Lisbon suburb of Amadora. A complicated family background saw him being raised by an aunt and he used football as a release from his turbulent childhood.

Too poor to afford the bus or train fair, he walked three miles to train day after day, or fare-dodged his way to his local club, Massama, on the outskirts of Lisbon, earning himself a sharp ticking off from the police on one occasion.

His big break came when he was spotted by Sporting scouts who were so impressed they quickly made sure he joined the club’s famed youth academy and, as they say, the rest is history and a happy one at that.

His speed, strength and trickery have led many to compare him with Cristiano Ronaldo, and like the Manchester United winger Nani has the added bonus of having a keen eye for goal. He is equally at home on either flank.

He broke into the first team at 18 years of age, and made an immediate impression with his dazzling footwork and extreme speed, scoring 6 goals in his debut season.

Trademark celebration

Each goal is exuberantly celebrated, with an acrobatic somersault on the run that wouldn’t shame an Olympic gymnast.

Nani enjoyed a blistering start to the 2006/07 season with two goals in Sporting’s first two matches and another on his international debut where he gave a man-of-the-match display against Denmark.

That was followed up by an outstanding goal in the Champions League against Spartak Moscow, and Europe’s biggest clubs began to take note. Manchester United and Inter Milan are among a host of top European giants reportedly vying for Nani’s signature.

The speculation prompted Sporting president Soares Franco to publicly state that Nani was not for sale, before tying the winger to a contract until 2010 with a reported buy-out clause of 25 million euros.

Nevertheless, with the goals continuing to flow it would not be a huge surprise if Sporting were unable to hold on to him for too long.

Zinedine Zidane

We’re in the heart of the World Cup, and I’m busy distracting myself from the US-Ghana match going on right now. So I thought I’d track down some info on bald footballers starting with a modern legend.

Zinedine Zidane

I first heard of “Zizou” in the run up to the 1998 World Cup. He was to lead France’s golden generation to football glory… and then he promptly stamped on an opponent earning a red card and a two match suspension.“What a bum,” I thought… and then I saw him own Brazil in the final… And then I saw him own Euro 2000… And then I saw him own the 2001 Champion’s League final. His volley against Leverkusen is perhaps the single greatest strike I have ever seen.“Perhaps he’s not a bum.” Every player can have a moment, I suppose, and in Zizou’s case the moments are far out weighed by the class.It doesn’t hurt that he’s bald, either, because a bald athlete has a special appeal. Athletes are so often exemplars of the human body, stunning combinations of speed, strength and agility. To see a bald athlete is to be reminded that he is human, that in most regards he is just like me.And more than that, a bald athlete is more often than not one who has stood the test of time. A 24 year-old should be at his peak physically. But a 34 year-old - as Zizou will be tomorrow - must also be at his peak mentally.We may have seen the last of Zidane. He is suspended for tomorrow’s match against Togo and has announced his full retirement upon the completion of the Cup. If for no other reason I hope France advance… just so I can see Zizou one more time.