The 3 big names of this World Cup
Are you totally ignorant about football? Don’t you know anything about the beautiful game? With the 2010 FIFA World Cup just around the corner, here are 3 of the biggest names on display. Learn them and don’t stay out of the conversation.
1) Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is the European and World Footballer of the Year 2009 and one of the most skilled footballers in the world. At just 22 years old, his dribbling skills have earned him comparisons to the great Diego Maradona. Messi has just completed a fantastic season for Barcelona, helping them retain the league title. Many fans feel that it is a matter of time before Messi is elevated to the true greats of football, joining the likes of Pelé and Maradona. However, to reach such heights, Messi must first win the World Cup. Will he be able to do it in South Africa this June? Messi has never been able to replicate his form for Argentina, but he is well positioned to do so on the greatest stage of all.
2) Cristiano Ronaldo
Love him or hate him, Cristiano Ronaldo is one of today’s best-known footballers. Ronaldo rose to fame when he signed for Manchester United in 2003 and won the coveted Champions League with the Red Devils in 2008. A dazzling dribbler, Ronaldo is also an accomplished goalscorer and header. The 2009 World Player of the Year, Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid in 2009 for a world record £80m and narrowly missed out on the league title with his new club. The biggest star in a Portuguese team of skill, Ronaldo has already secured his place as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
3) Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney, just 24, is England’s biggest star. His rise has been meteoric, becoming the youngest player to score in the Premier League in 2002, breaking Arsenal’s unbeaten spell. His subsequent transfer from Everton to Manchester United has seen him collect numerous accolades, such as the 2010 Players’ Player of the Year. Known for his aggressive run-and-never-say-die attitude, Rooney has had his best season yet and is so important to England that then-manager Sven Goran Eriksson took him to the 2006 World Cup even though he wasn’t fully into it. form. Having marred his last World Cup appearance by being sent off against Portugal for a stomp on Ricardo Carvalho, Rooney has improved his temper and is in good form for the World Cup.