KaKa....... CLUB : AC MILAN COUNTRY : BRAZIL POSITION: FORWARD

Kaka Detailed Biography

Kaká, real name Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, (born April 22, 1982 in Brasília) is a Brazilian football (soccer) player who currently plays for A.C. Milan in the Italian Serie A. He wears the number 22 shirt for the club. He got his nickname "Kaká" because his little brother Rodrigo could not pronounce the word Ricardo when they were young. Rodrigo called his older brother "Caca" which Ricardo later changed to "Kaká". He made his debut at São Paulo FC in 2001 while he was only 19 years old. He scored 12 goals in 27 appearances and a further 10 goals in 22 appearances the following season. He attracted attention from European clubs and it was Milan who won the race to sign him. Kaká joined Milan in 2003 for an € 8.5m fee, his first appearance coming in a match at Ancona, which Milan won 2-0. In all, he scored 10 goals in 30 appearances that season, winning the Italian Serie A Championship and the European Super Cup. He was an integral part of the team in 2004/2005, usually playing in a withdrawn role behind striker Andriy Shevchenko in a five man midfield. He scored seven goals in 36 league appearances, winning the Italian Super Cup. However, the team failed domestically, losing the Serie A title to Juventus, and losing the UEFA Champions League final to Liverpool on penalty kicks. Making his international debut in January 2002 against Bolivia, he was in Brazil's squad at the 2002 World Cup, but did not see much action as Brazil took the World Championship. He played just 19 minutes of a first round match against Costa Rica. Later, he was also in action at the 2004 Copa América and the 2005 Confederations Cup, which were both won by Brazil. The Confederation Cup final won by Brazil over Argentina saw him scoring for the Seleção. More recently, he has helped Brazil qualify for the 2006 World Cup. Kaká has matured as a player and is currently considered one of the best Brazilian footballers. His greatest goal is considered to be the one he scored against Fenerbahçe SK in AC Milan's first game in the 2005/2006 Champions League; won 3-1 by the Rossoneri. Kakà started his run from midfield and skipped past three tackles before entering the area and finishing with a low shot under the goal-keeper. Kaká finished in joint tenth place in voting for the 2004 FIFA World Player of the Year award, in the 2005 competition he finished two places higher. He was also voted the best midfielder in the UEFA Champions League tournament of 2004/2005, and ended up ninth on the 2005 Golden Ball (European football player of the year) standing earning 19 votes. His younger brother Rodrigo (Rodrigo Izecson Dos Santos Leite - known as "Digão") followed in his footsteps and is currently on loan to Serie B team Rimini, after having spent some time in the AC Milan youth squad. When AC Milan won the Serie A title in 2004, "Ricky" (as he is called by his team-mates) sported a shirt with an "I Belong to Jesus" slogan. This is because Ricky risked his life by badly jumping off a diving-board which caused him the fracture of a vertebra. This could have meant the end of his football career but he believes Jesus allowed him to recover and become the star footballer he now is. For this reason, every time he scores he points his fingers to the sky as a sign of thanks. Kaká's wife is 18 year old (as of 2005) Caroline Celico, who he married on 23 December 2005 at the evangelical Reborn in Christ Church in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in a wedding attended by fellow players from his national team, as well as other well known international players. Guests included Ronaldo, Adriano, Cafu, Brazilian national coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, Julio Baptista., and Dida They met in 2002, and started dating soon after. The relationship survived Kaká's 2003 move from Sao Paulo to play in Italy, while Caroline was still in school. After the planned honeymoon Kaká will rejoin AC Milan for a game in early January. It is likely that Caroline will stay in Brazil in the short-run, but the couple plan to live together in Italy very soon. The nickname Kaká is pronounced as it is spelled (in his native Portuguese). The accent would signify that the stress is on the second syllable. In Italian, the language of his current team, the phonetic equivalent is written Kakà, which is used for Italian television graphics. However, the player's shirt name is spelt KAKA' (with an apostrophe, rather than an accented 'A'), for both Brazil and Milan.

				Robinho Biography Name : Robinho Date of Birth : January 25, 1984 Place of Birth : Sao Vicente, Brazil Nationality : Brazilian Height : 172 cm Weight : 60 kg Profession : Soccer Player Club : Real Madrid CF Position : Forward [C] Real Name : Robson de Souza
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Robinho Detailed Biography

Robson de Souza (born January 25, 1984 in São Vicente, Brazil), nicknamed Robinho (Little Robson) is a Brazilian football player (forward), considered by many to be one of the greatest players in the Brazilian league since his debut for Santos Football Club in 2002; in addition to excelling in the national league, he is also one of the most promising prospects for the Brazilian national team. He is 1.72 meters tall and weighs 60 kilograms. Robinho made his debut for Santos in 2002 when, along with teammate Diego, he helped lead the club to win its greatest honour since Pelé retired. After a disappointing 2003 season, Robinho exploded in 2004, scoring 21 goals in 36 matches in the league. Robinho has also appeared for Santos in two Copa Libertadores, helping Santos finish runners-up to Boca Juniors in the 2003 tournament. Robinho's performances over the past three years had attracted the attention of the great clubs from Europe, but Santos were reluctant to let him go (foreseeing a possible decay of the club's playing strength). However, he expressed a desire for leaving the country since his mother was kidnapped, by the end of 2004, and was held captive for two months (one among several cases of relatives of famous Brazilian footballers kidnapped recently). He finally left Brazil in the summer of 2005 and started his European club career with Spanish giants Real Madrid. On July 31 Spanish La Liga giants Real Madrid agreed a fee of about 30 million US$ for the striker. Robinho joined the side on August 25, and teamed up with fellow Brazilian internationals Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Julio Baptista to make his debut against Cadiz, coming on as substitute in the second half for Thomas Gravesen. His shirt number for the season is 10. This year's World Cup 2006 will provide a huge boost for Robinho as he will grace the world stage alongside fellow Brazilian superstars Adriano, Ronaldo, Cafu, and Ronaldinho.

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

Wayne Rooney

Squad Number: 10 Position: Forward Place of Birth: Croxteth, England Date Of Birth: 24/ 10/ 1985 Height: 5'10 Weight: 12st 5lbs This Season Appearances: 39(4) Goals: 18 Yellow Cards: 12 Red Cards: 0 Minutes on Pitch: 3411

More Wayne Rooney news.

Wayne Rooney

Manchester United unveiled Everton striker Wayne Rooney as their biggest signing of 2004 just before the transfer window was due to close in August. The Red Devils signed the 18-year-old in a deal that could eventually be worth £30million.
Rooney signed a six-year contract and Everton will receive 25 per cent of any transfer fee if he leaves Old Trafford. Contingent payments, dependent on club success, the player renewing his contract and his appearances at international level, could see the transfer fee rise to almost £30million.
Manchester United beat off competition from Newcastle United for Rooney's signature. A naturally gifted striker, Rooney scored 15 goals in 67 Premiership appearances for Everton since making his debut for the club in August 2002 in the 2-2 draw with Southampton.
The teenager's record for England is outstanding - his excellent Euro 2004 displays brought his tally to nine goals in just 17 appearances for his country. It was these performances which really instigated the bidding war between United and Newcastle for the teenager's signature.
But Rooney chosing of United was vindicated by a superb debut season at Old Trafford. Since his move he has flourished under the close guidence of Sir Alex Ferguson who has an excellent track record with youngsters.
In his debut - a baptism of fire in a Champions League group game against the tough to beat Fenerbahce - he scored a sensational hat-trick as United went on to trounce their Tukish opponents 6-2.
Since then he continued his fine form. He added 14 further goals (including a vollyed wonder-strike in United 2-1 home win against Newcastle) to his tally and has clocked up 43 appearances, justifying his high price tag. He was an undoutbed highlight in United's otherwise lacklustre season. He was also named the PFA Young Player of the Year beating off stern competition from Jermain Defoe, Arjen Robben, Cristiano Ronaldo, Stewart Downing and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
However, he sometimes let his tempremental nature get the better of him. His frequent on-field swearing encouraged the English Schools' Football Association (ESFA) to drop him from a guest appearance claiming he was "not a good role model". FIFA president Sepp Blatter made further comment, saying that Rooney needed "a clip round the ear".
Rooney's antics off the pitch did little to dispel these criticisms when a student accused him of assaulting him in a Manchester club. Rooney denied this and was later vindicated as the claim was dropped. As his second season for Manchester United emerges the only thing, it seems, that can stop Rooney is if the media interest surrounding him and celebrity girlfriend Coleen McCloughlin distracts him from his football.
He continued to impress in the 2005/06 season for United, often seeming like the only thing keeping them going in some tricky spells, and was rewarded with his first major medal in the Carling Cup final, where he scored twice against Wigan and received the Man of the Match award.

However, his season ended in heartbreak as he suffered a metatarsal injury against Chelsea, putting his hopes of playing in the World Cup in jeopardy. He did manage to recover in time, though he probably wished he hadn't bothered, as he was forced to play up front on his own, failed to score and was sent off against Portugal.
A dubious pre-season red card lead to Rooney having to serve a three-match ban early on in the 2006/07 campaign and it took him some time to regain his match fitness and sharpness after such a chaotic time. However, when he did come into form his goals played a hugely important role in winning his first ever Premiership title.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Fernando Torres

Position: Forward
Born: 20.04.84
Club: Atletico Madrid

While Raul is still regarded as the king of Spanish football, there is little doubt that Fernando Torres is the pretender to the throne.

Blessed with wonderful control and an unerring sense for goal, Torres stands apart from the crowd for more than his shock of blonde hair.

Good in the air, fleet of foot and intelligent off the ball, Torres has the ability to threaten the best of defences at the World Cup.

As a teenager his exploits for Spain's junior sides quickly brought him to the attention of a national audience and the striker has been exceeding expectations ever since.

In 2001 Torres was part of the Spain Under-16 team that won the European Championship and was voted Player of the Tournament after topping the scoring charts.

A year later he repeated all three achievements at Under-19 level and by then Torres had been involved with Atletico's first team for two years, becoming the club's youngest ever goalscorer.

Upon the capital club's return to the Primera Liga in 2002/2003, Torres furthered his reputation with 13 goals that helped Atletico avoid relegation.

The striker earned his first full cap for Spain in 2004 and his 20 goals in La Liga earned him a place in the European Championship squad.

Torres played a part in all three games in Portugal but the familiar story of an underachieving Spain side proved a rude awakening to a player who had never previously failed in national colours.

More impressive seasons for Atletico followed with the striker contributing an impressive seven goals to Spain's qualifying campaign for the World Cup.

Torres has been a loyal servant to Atletico since he joined the club as a boy but an explosive World Cup will almost certainly result in an almighty bidding war for the one of Spain's brightest stars.

Ronaldinho

Ronaldo de Assis Moreira who is more commonly known as Ronaldinho, was born on 21 March 1980 in Vila Nova, Porto Alegre, Brazil. He is a Brazilian national who plays for FC Barcelona and Brasil's national team.

Like many Brasilians Ronaldinho started playing football at an early age. He had a very supportive soccer family with a father that played amateur football and a brother who was also a professional footballer.

Ronaldinho's player profile began at the age of 13, while playing futsal (indoor soccer). The young Ronaldinho's amazing talent caught the media's attention. He scored 23 goals in a 23-0 match against a crushed local team.

A few years later he represented Brazil in the 1997 FIFA Under 17 World Championship. They became the first Brazilian team to win the championship.

In 1997 he joined the youth team of Grêmio, the same club his brother played professionally at. It was here that he was able to demonstrate his awesome ball control and scoring ability. Ronaldinho soon joined the professional team and in 1999 was selected to be part of the Brazilian nation team. In his first appearance with the Brasilian national team against Venezuela, Ronaldinho scored a fantastic goal after dribbling past many players with his unique flair.

In 2001 Ronaldinho signed a contract with Paris St. Germain FC. It was during his time here and especially after a successful Brazilian World Cup win in 2002 that many of the major European clubs wanted to sign Ronaldinho.

After a bidding war amongst the top European clubs, Ronaldinho was signed by FC Barcelona on the the 19th of July 2003 for £20 million.

At FC Barcelona Ronaldinho's career excelled in every area. His team won the Spanish Liga in 2005 and 2006, the Supercopa de España in 2005 and 2006, the UEFA Champions League in 2006.

As an individual Ronaldinho has won the World Soccer Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005, the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005, the European Footballer of the Year in 2005.

With all Ronaldinho's amazing talents on and off the field he has become the most marketable player profiles in the world.

John Terry (Chelsea)

It is unimaginable that True Blue Terry will ever play for another club. The bruising centre-back came closing to leaving Stamford Bridge before the arrival of Jose Mourinho, who soon made him his skipper. Terry has gone on to win two Premier League titles and also became England’s captain.

John George Terry was born in London, England on 7th December 1980 and was spotted by Chelsea while playing for a local Sunday League team. Terry joined the Chelsea youth system and soon flourished under the club’s coaching regime playing for both Chelsea’s Youth and Reserve teams as a midfielder. Due to a shortage of central defenders Terry was moved to centre-half the position which he commands to this day for both club and country.

Terry made his first team debut for Chelsea on 28th October 1998 in a League Cup tie against Aston Villa. However, despite a promising start Terry became involved in an incident in a London nightclub and was charged with assault and afray. Terry was later cleared but during the controversy he had received a temporary ban and this effectively cost him a place in England’s 2002 World Cup squad.

It was the 2001-2002 season when John Terry began to set his stamp in the Chelsea team as a regular fixture. He made 23 starts and was voted the club’s player of the year and had a taste of things to come when he was handed the captaincy for the first time. In the 2003-2004 season with Desailly out of the side Terry was handed the captaincy in his absence and established himself as a genuine contender for a first time place with strong defensive performances.

When Desailly retired Terry was the obvious choice to take over as club captain and new Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho agreed and duly awarded him the captain’s armband. This led to a positive result with Chelsea lifting the FA Premier League title at the end of the 2004-2005 season with a lot of the success attributed to the well organised defence under the guidance of Terry.

Terry, along with team mates Lampard and Cech, is widely recognised as one of the integral links in the clubs success with Terry emerging as the fans favourite as a home grown player who came through the ranks from the youth academy. This season controversy has brewed surrounding Terry’s future with the club as he has failed to agree new contract terms. Terry has laid many a fan’s worries to rest by publicly reiterating his loyalty to Chelsea and pledging his future to the club.

Terry is the current captain of the England team cementing his place with convincing performances for club and country. He was part of the England 2006 World Cup squad and despite England being put out in the quarter-finals, Terry became the only English player to be named in the tournament's all-star squad.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro (born 5 February 1985[2] in Funchal, Madeira) is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Premier League club Manchester United and the Portuguese national team. With Manchester United, Ronaldo plays primarily as a right winger. He has also been used both in a central attacking role and as a second striker.

A winner of the 2007 English PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards, and third in the 2007 World Player of the Year award, Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the most talented footballers of his generation. Ronaldo also won the 2008 English PFA Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year, giving him back to back victories for both awards. Johan Cruyff said in an April 2, 2008 interview, "Ronaldo is better than George Best and Denis Law, who were two brilliant and great players in the history of United."

He began kicking a football when he was three, and when he started primary school at age six, his passion for the sport was obvious. His favourite boyhood team was SL Benfica even though he would later join their rival, Sporting. He first played for an amateur team, Andorinha, where his father was the kit man, when he was just eight years old. By 1995, at just ten years of age, Cristiano Ronaldo's reputation was growing in Portugal. Madeira's top two teams, CS Marítimo and CD Nacional were both interested in signing him. Marítimo, the bigger team, missed a crucial meeting with Rui Santos, Ronaldo's manager at Andorinha, and as a result, Ronaldo signed for Nacional. After a title-winning campaign at Nacional, Ronaldo went on a three day trial with Sporting who subsequently signed him for an undisclosed sum.