Sparklers

THIERRY HENRY

Age: 28; Caps: 77; Club: Arsenal; Jersey No. 12

It’s not for nothing that the French striker is nicknamed Va Va Vroom. Henry is touted as the best striker on the planet. His sudden burst of speed is a sight to savour. Added to that is the best first-touch in the game. Lean, handsome, charismatic and inordinately gifted, he draws adoration from a fan base that is restricted to neither men nor sports fans. The only blemish on Arsenal’s all-time leading goal scorer is not having performed up to his talent for Les Blues. If Henry can maintain the sort of form that he’s shown in the past couple of years, it is a near certainty that this is going to be Henry’s World Cup.

ZINEDINE ZIDANE

Age: 33; Caps: 101; Club: Real Madrid; Jersey No. 10

Zizou has been voted the all time best French footballer. Michel Platini might not approve, but Zidane’s CV is a testimony to his talent. With all the top silverware already present in his closet, the crafty playmaker in his last world Cup, is still the lynchpin of French midfield, and he might demand for, as graceful a farewell as Pele had in 1970. There are few better sight on a soccer pitch than to see this magician at his job.

PARK JI-SUNG

Age: 25; Caps: 60; Club: Manchester United; Jersey No. 7

Poster boy of Asian soccer, Sung was pivotal in South Korea’s dream run to the semi-finals in 2002. With mercurial Ahn Jung-Hwan in charge upfront, Park — nick named ‘the Oxygen Tank’ — can orchestrate another South Korean charge. Like his first name Ji-Sung, meaning ‘Wise Star’, Park seems sure to shine brightly.

Dark horse

FRANCK RIBERY

Age: 23; Caps: 2; Club: Merseille; Jersey No. 22

Many believe that the Olympique Marseille midfielder provides France with the thing that they lack most: penetration. His pace and tricks can spark life in jaded looking French midfield. Going by the way Domenech used him in warm-up matches ahead of World Cup, Ribery is the real dark horse at Germany.

GROUP H

ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO

Age: 29; Caps: 63; Club: Chelsea; Jersey No. 7

Sheva, Ukraine’s most famous name, is out to lead a nation with limited sporting tradition. But by no means a lesser force. Chelsea’s latest recruit was the principal strike weapon when the Ukrainians made it to the World Cup ahead of Greece, Denmark and Turkey. Oozing with class, the striker has been dazzling Europe with his talent. Finally he gets an opportunity to showcase his art in the arena, biggest of them all.

IKER CASILLAS

Age: 25; Caps: 58; Club: Real Madrid; Jersey No. 1

This Spanish stopper, surprisingly, is the biggest name this time around from the home of La Liga. Blessed with lightning reflex and an unmatched serenity under bar, the custodian is a defender’s dream. A specialist in one-on-one situation, Saint Iker, as he is called in Spain, is going to be the source of inspiration for La Furia Roja (The Red Fury) at Germany.

Dark horse

FABREGAS

Age: 19; Caps: 3; Club: Arsenal; Jersey No. 18

The Arsenal youngster has impressed one and all with his superb show during the Premiership and the Champions league. A brilliant passer with excellent vision, Fabregas is going to be the key man for Spain, especially when Raul Gonzalez has been reduced to being a shadow of his former self. Fabregas along with club mate Reyes will lead the charge Spanish Armada.

— Compiled by Aditya Kumar with inputs from fifaworldcup.com