If You Like: An all-or-nothing guy
With the U.S. facing World Cup elimination, the midfielder, 28, scored the match-winning goooaaaal against Algeria, sending Team USA to the round of 16. Equally impressive: Donovan’s love of country, which he put on display in a flag-baring photo shoot for Vanity Fair.
If You Like: A leader
As captain of the U.S. national team, Bocanegra, 31, helped lead America to the final round of 16 in the World Cup. He’s someone who knows how to use his head – literally, having scored most of his 10 goals with his noggin.
If You Like: Confident guys
The Italian team may be eliminated – just don’t tell the AC Milan defender, 33. “We haven’t thought about it and we’re not thinking about it,” he said.
If You Like: A closer
The English player, 27, scored the lone goal that helped his country advance beyond Slovenia to the knockout round of 16 countries.
If You Like: Bad boys
While sidelined with a concussion, the Dutch star, 22, took time off not to rest – but to go to a Lil Wayne concert. After posting a pic with the rapper on his Twitter page, it ignited public fury in his country. Naughty, naughty!
If You Like: A man with family ties
The Argentine player, 22, has some heavy-hitters behind him – his father-in-law is international superstar Diego Maradona, who now manages Argentina’s national team.
If You Like: A man of principal
The American defender, 28, sued Belgian player Jelle Van Damme after he called him a derogatory name on the field. “I don’t feel amongst the players on the field there should be room for such negativity or narrow-minded ways of thinking,” the Nigerian native told the New York Times.
If You Like: The next big thing
Agile and quick-thinking, the Spanish goalkeeper, 29, is being hailed as the best goalie in the world – no wonder he wears Real Madrid’s prestigious No. 1 jersey.
If You Like: Funny men
The German footballer, 25, and teammate Franck Ribery were known for playing pranks on each other during training camp (toothpaste under doorknobs!), earning him the nickname, “The Joker with a Hammer for a Left Foot” – which probably sounds better in German.
If You Like: A fighter
The U.S. star, 31, was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome when he was 9, and has since become an spokesperson for the illness.”It’s just a battle of the will, your willpower versus what your mind is telling your body to do,” he has said.
If You Like: An overachiever
Long touted as the hottest young player in England, the 28-year-old Brit was a child prodigy, scoring 7 out of 8 goals against Spain as a member of England’s youth team.
If You Like: The total package
Like David Beckham, he’s an international superstar who already has his own wax figure at Madame Tussauds. The Portuguese team captain, 25, even took over for Becks as the face – and, er, package – of Emporio Armani’s underwear line.
LANDON DONOVAN
If You Like: An all-or-nothing guy
With the U.S. facing World Cup elimination, the midfielder, 28, scored the match-winning goooaaaal against Algeria, sending Team USA to the round of 16. Equally impressive: Donovan’s love of country, which he put on display in a flag-baring photo shoot for Vanity Fair.
CARLOS BOCANEGRA
If You Like: A leader
As captain of the U.S. national team, Bocanegra, 31, helped lead America to the final round of 16 in the World Cup. He’s someone who knows how to use his head – literally, having scored most of his 10 goals with his noggin.
GIANLUCA ZAMBROTTA
If You Like: Confident guys
The Italian team may be eliminated – just don’t tell the AC Milan defender, 33. “We haven’t thought about it and we’re not thinking about it,” he said.
JERMAIN DEFOE
If You Like: A closer
The English player, 27, scored the lone goal that helped his country advance beyond Slovenia to the knockout round of 16 countries.
GREGORY VAN DER WIEL
If You Like: Bad boys
While sidelined with a concussion, the Dutch star, 22, took time off not to rest – but to go to a Lil Wayne concert. After posting a pic with the rapper on his Twitter page, it ignited public fury in his country. Naughty, naughty!
SERGIO AGUERO
If You Like: A man with family ties
The Argentine player, 22, has some heavy-hitters behind him – his father-in-law is international superstar Diego Maradona, who now manages Argentina’s national team.
OGUCHI ONYEWU
If You Like: A man of principal
The American defender, 28, sued Belgian player Jelle Van Damme after he called him a derogatory name on the field. “I don’t feel amongst the players on the field there should be room for such negativity or narrow-minded ways of thinking,” the Nigerian native told the New York Times.
IKER CASILLAS
If You Like: The next big thing
Agile and quick-thinking, the Spanish goalkeeper, 29, is being hailed as the best goalie in the world – no wonder he wears Real Madrid’s prestigious No. 1 jersey.
LUKAS PODOLSKI
If You Like: Funny men
The German footballer, 25, and teammate Franck Ribery were known for playing pranks on each other during training camp (toothpaste under doorknobs!), earning him the nickname, “The Joker with a Hammer for a Left Foot” – which probably sounds better in German.
TIM HOWARD
If You Like: A fighter
The U.S. star, 31, was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome when he was 9, and has since become an spokesperson for the illness.”It’s just a battle of the will, your willpower versus what your mind is telling your body to do,” he has said.
JOE COLE
If You Like: An overachiever
Long touted as the hottest young player in England, the 28-year-old Brit was a child prodigy, scoring 7 out of 8 goals against Spain as a member of England’s youth team.
CRISTIANO RONALDO
If You Like: The total package
Like David Beckham, he’s an international superstar who already has his own wax figure at Madame Tussauds. The Portuguese team captain, 25, even took over for Becks as the face – and, er, package – of Emporio Armani’s underwear line.
