They speak different languages, eat different foods and pray in different churches, but all 736 of them are consumed by the same game. They have converged in Germany, where, beginning Friday and for the following four weeks, they will compete for the most coveted sports prize on the planet–the World Cup trophy.
Some of the familiar names of Cups past are back–Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Ronaldo. But several newer stars could emerge as household names. Here are 10:
LUCA TONI
(Forward, Italy)
The 29-year-old late bloomer scored a remarkable 31 goals in 38 matches this season, the first player in 47 years to score more than 30 goals in Serie A.
MICHAEL BALLACK
(Midfielder, Germany)
The pressure on him this summer is immense because he is the host nation’s star. But he’s considered one of the most complete players in the world.
RONALDINHO
(Midfielder, Brazil)
Known for his no-look passes and perpetual smile, Ronaldinho is the most visible and expensive player in the world. The 26-year-old Brazilian is a two-time FIFA World Player of the Year and recently led FC Barcelona to the Champions League title. He is so vital to Barcelona that his transfer fee has been listed at $100 million.
THIERRY HENRY
(Forward, France)
Since joining Arsenal seven years ago, the fleet-footed Frenchman has become the club’s all-time leading scorer and has won England Footballer of the Year three times.
KASEY KELLER
(Goalkeeper, USA)
It took four World Cups and a few heart-to-hearts with coach Bruce Arena, but Keller finally iis the undisputed No. 1 U.S. goalkeeper. He spent much of the past 16 years battling Brad Friedel for the top spot, but Friedel now is retired.
ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO
(Forward, Ukraine)
Shevchenko was a competitive boxer before switching to soccer. He was named 2004 European Footballer of the Year.
LIONEL MESSI
(Midfielder, Argentina)
He is only 18 and stands 5-7, but Messi could wind up being one of the World Cup’s biggest stars. Last year at the Under-20 world championships, Messi won the Golden Shoe and Golden Boot.
JARED BORGETTI
(Forward, Mexico)
Though at 32 Borgetti is at the tail end of his career, the tall, lanky forward known as El Zorro del Desierto (the Desert Fox) is Mexico’s all-time leading scorer and known for his spectacular headers.
DIDIER DROGBA
(Forward, Ivory Coast)
All over Europe this summer, fans will see a bare-chested Drogba, covered in cocoa butter with a droplet of chocolate dripping down his face. “Ivory Coast, my land of cocoa,” he says in a TV commercial to boost the image of his war-torn nation.
WAYNE ROONEY
(Forward, England)
Not since the days of Achilles has there been this much talk about somebody’s foot. The British press and fans have been obsessed with Rooney’s broken foot and every X-ray and medical opinion. He likely will miss the first round but is expected to rejoin the team for the knockout stage.
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A TOUCH OF CHICAGO IN GERMANY
Kasey Keller walked to the edge of the field and signed autographs as people swarmed around.
American soccer players got to meet the German people Tuesday, with the Deutsche volk coming out to Edmund Plambeck Stadion in suburban Hamburg for an open haus–the only scheduled U.S. public practice at the World Cup.
A Chicago Fire youth team sat in the stands, youngsters who are playing clubs from Turkey, Russia and Germany and wanted to watch their national team train.
“You learn a lot, see how they do things,” said Rob Henehan, a 17-year-old from Oak Lawn.
–Associated Press
