The dream boys

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY

Age: 30, Club: None
Cap: 50, Jersey No: 9
The former Man United goal machine may not be the main man for the Old Trafford side these days, but the Dutch will be relying heavily on the striker who is dubbed to be a more decisive finisher than his present coach Marco van Basten.

DIDIER DROGBA

Age: 28, Club: Chelsea
Cap: 31, Jersey No. 11
Simply the most influential man that Ivory Coast soccer has ever seen. The robust Chelsea striker is the catalyst that has got ’the Elephants’ on the move. Many believe Ivory Coast are the real dark horses from the proverbial Group of Death. Such claims hold water only because of Drogba’s predatory skills in front of the goal. Already songs and dances have been made in honour of Drogba, an epic awaits after Germany ’06.

JUAN ROMAN RIQUELME

Age: 27, Club: Villarreal
Cap: 31, Jersey No. 10
The elegant playmaker is the heart of Argentinean squad. The Villarreal star was pivotal in helping Argentina to the final of 2005 Confederations Cup, and also inspired the mediocre Spanish outfit to the semi-final of Champions League. The Latin side’s bid at 2006 will be built around Riquelme’s intelligence and ability to hold ball apart from his specialisation in dead ball play.

LIONEL MESSI

Age: 19, Club: Barcelona
Cap: 7, Jersey No. 19
The new Messiah of Argentine soccer, comparisons are already on with a young Diego Maradona. The prodigious forward shot to fame with a series of masterful performances at the FIFA World Youth Championship Netherlands 2005. Gifted with an explosive turn of pace and the Latin specialty to dribble his way though sturdiest rearguards, the Barca dynamo can engineer openings out of no where. If fit, Messi will be the strongest contender for the Best Young Player Award.

DARK HORSE

ARJEN ROBBEN

Age: 22, Club: Chelsea
Cap: 19, Jersey No. 11
The Dutch winger at 22 is being considered as the top draw in his first World Cup. Chelsea star will pair up with Nistelrooy up front and that spells trouble for all those who fall in Dutch way. Robben’s pace and trickery can create havoc.

GROUP D

THE STARS

RAFAEL MARQUEZ

Age: 27, Club: Barcelona
Cap: 65, Jersey No. 4
Mexio’s most influential player in Europe. The Barca mainstay excels both as a central defender and in a holding role. Marquez unlike other defenders prefers intelligence and guile to spirit the ball away from forwards. Technically flawless, Marquez is an astute leader of men and is in form of his life.

ALI KARIMI

Age: 27, Club: Bayern Munich
Cap: 90, Jersey No. 8
Dubbed as Asian Maradona, Bayern Munich’ s Iranian import is set to mesmerise the connoisseurs with his stylish wizardry with the ball and inspired runs. The 2004 Asian Player of the Year excels in creating chances, and his coolness under pressure sets him apart.

PAULETA

Age: 33, Club: Paris St-Germain,
Cap: 81, Jersey No. 9
His aerial ability and precise movement makes the Portuguese striker the top card in a star-studded line-up. Portugal’s all time highest goal-scorer will have to translate his form during the qualifiers into performance at Germany, if ‘The Eagles of the Azeroes’ are to pursue their most elusive prey.

CHRISTIANO RONALDO

Age 21, Club: Manchester United
Caps: 32, Jersey No. 17
The poster boy of Portuguese soccer comes with a big reputation. His blistering pace coupled with dazzling skills has been instrumental in his meteoric rise in Europe. Post his sterling performance at Euro 2004, the winger has become indispensable for coach Scolari. At 21, Ronaldo with his array of skills is set to be a major factor.

DARK HORSE

DECO
Age: 28, Club: Barcelona
Cap: 34, Jersey No. 20
Brazilian by birth and style, Deco is a key figure in Scolari’s scheme. The Barcelona midfielder with his sublime vision is virtually peerless in the Portuguese midfield, especially with Luis Figo way past his prime. Deco is so critical for Portugal that Portuguese media have coined the phrase ‘Deco Dependence’.

— Compiled by Aditya Kumar with inputs from fifaworldcup.com