With the World Cup having already started Friday June 11, here at Sportspundit, we look at ten of the brightest starts who could light up the African sky…..
10. Diego Forlan (Uruguay)
The Uruguayan international striker was arguably the best attacking player for his side against France in their opening Group A game on Friday. The Atletico Madrid hitman is one of the most prolific strikers on the planet and after winning the Europa League with the Rojiblancos in the 2009-2010 campaign, Forlan will be eager to lead his national team to glory in South Africa.
9. Park Ji-Sung (South Korea)
The Manchester United winger is the most famous Asian player and will skipper South Korea in the World Cup finals in South Africa. Known for his wing plays and hard work, the former PSV Eindhoven midfielder will be looking to take his national side to at least the last 16 stage of the World Cup.
8. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)
The Chelsea striker was in doubt for the World Cup for Ivory Coast but he has now recovered and will start the African nation’s opening game in the competition. Drogba is regarded as one of the best strikers in the Premier League and indeed, he will have to be on top of his game if Ivory Coast plan to progress far in the competition.
7. Kaka (Brazil)
The Real Madrid playmaker had arguably the worst season of his life with los Blancos in 2009-2010 but the playmaker has always performed in a Brazil shirt. Kaka was arguably the most creative Brazilian player at the Confederations Cup in 2009 and the former Milan star will be the central thread of Brazil’s attacking unit in South Africa.
6. Xavi (Spain)
The Barcelona maestro is regarded as the best central midfielder in the world and one of the greatest in his position of all time. Xavi was one of the two best players for Spain at Euro 2008 and indeed he will be orchestrating his side’s moves from the midfield in South Africa too.
5. Robin Van Persie (Netherlands)
The Arsenal striker struggled with injuries in 2009-2010 but the Dutch international came into form in the friendly internationals in the build-up to the South Africa finale. Van Persie will feature as the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 system and his movements, heading abilities and shooting skills will be marvels to watch.
4. Wayne Rooney (England)
England’s World Cup hopes rest on the Manchester United striker’s shoulders. Rooney is the only world class striker that England have and indeed much of the Three Lions’ progress in the World Cup will depend on how he performs in South Africa.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Portugal are ranked number three in the world by FIFA but no one seriously believes that the former World Cup semifinalists will be able to do much in South Africa. However, in Cristiano Ronaldo the European nation has arguably the second best attacking player on the planet and after coming off a personally brilliant 2009-2010 season with Real Madrid, Ronaldo will be keen to perform for his nation on the biggest stage.
2. David Villa (Spain)
David Villa is the best striker in the world, no questions asked. The newly signed Barcelona hitman won the Golden Boot with Spain in Euro 2008 and he will be gunning again for the top scorer’s award in the 2010 World Cup finals. Villa is just six goals shy of matching Raul’s all time goalscoring record for Spain and there is every possibility that he will break the record in South Africa.
1. Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Messi is the best player on the planet and is one of the greatest of all time, despite being only 22 years of age. However, to be the greatest of all time, the Barcelona star needs to win the World Cup. Argentina have a hugely gifted attackline but Diego Aramando Maradona’s coaching abilities need some thorough revision and the defence also needs some luck, but if the South Americans plan to win the World Cup in South America, then Messi will have to be the ‘Messiah’.