Player 1 - Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Name: Lionel Messi

Age: 26

National Team:  Argentina

Team: Barcelona

Position: Striker
Description of his Game:  Messi is considered by most rankings to be the best player in the world.  He began his career as a left-winger but was later found to be more effective on the right wing, since his left foot more naturally allowed him to curl shots at goal and cut through defenses. Since beginning play at the highest levels at the age of 17, he's won numerous accolades and achieved a wide range of milestones, many of them as the youngest ever to have done so.

Lionel Messi's Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIGJNlpI5XU

Interesting Personal Facts:  At the age of 11, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency.  Local powerhouse River Plate showed interest in Messi's progress, but were not willing to pay for treatment for his condition, which cost $900 a month.  The sporting director of FC Barcelona, was made aware of his talent as Messi had relatives in Catalonia, and Messi and his father were able to arrange a trial with the team.  Rexach, with no other paper at hand, offered Messi a contract written on a paper napkin.

Career Highlights:  By the age of 21, Messi had already been nominated for the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year award. Soon after his 21st birthday, he won his first Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards. At the age of 24, Messi became Barcelona's all-time top scorer. At age 25, Messi became the youngest player to score 200 goals within La Liga.

Upcoming Matches Where You Can See Him Play:

Argentina's National Team, First Round Games in Brazil 2014

June 15th - Bosnia and Herzagovina

June 21st - Iran

June 25th -Nigeria

Schedule:  http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/teams/team=43922/matches.html

Player 2 - Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Name: Cristiano Ronaldo

Age: 29

National Team:  Portugal

Team: Real Madrid

Position: Forward Description of his Game:  Ronaldo is undisputably one of top 3 strikers in the world heading into the FIFA 2014 World Cup.  With a combination of skills, technical skills, focus and a muscular build, Ronaldo has the ability to alter a game single-handedly.  His passing game is as efficient as his ability to score, consistently creating scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Career Highlights:  He became the world's most expensive footballer in the world in 2009.  In 2014, he became the 3rd youngest player in Europe to be capped 100 times.

Upcoming Matches Where You Can See Him Play:

Portugal's National Team, First Round Games in Brazil 2014

June 16th - Germany

June 22nd - U.S

June 26th - Ghana

Player 3 - Xavi (Spain)

Name: Xavi

Age: 34

National Team:  Spain

Team: Barcelona

Position: Central Midfielder Description of his Game:  Another product of "La Masia" (the farmhouse), Xavi is another legendary all-time midfielder of the "tiki-taka" style of football within the Barcelona system.  His world class passing skills and his ability to control an entire game from midfield has earned him the nickname of "puppet-master".

Xavi's Highlights:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45G0egeyK20

Career Highlights:   Since then he has played 700 matches, scored 82 goals and made more than 180 assists for over 50 players.

Upcoming Matches Where You Can See Him Play:

Spain's National Team, First Round Games in Brazil 2014

June 13th - Holland

June 18th - Chile

June 23rd - Australia

Schedule:  http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/teams/team=43969/index.html

Player 4 - Andres Iniesta (Spain)

Name: Andres Iniesta

Age: 30

National Team:  Spain

Team: Barcelona

Position: Central Midfielder Description of his Game:  There is good reason for Iniesta being considered one of the best players of his generation. The fact that he has played almost every position speaks much to his all-around skillset.  Iniesta is as great of a passer as anyone in the game, and his ball control is beyond remarkable.  

Andres Iniesta's Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-Ez4c1QfQ0

Career Highlights:  Iniesta was a critical component Barcelona in 2009, which is the only time a club has achieved six titles in one season.

Upcoming Matches Where You Can See Him Play:

Spain's National Team, First Round Games in Brazil 2014

June 13th - Holland

June 18th - Chile

June 23rd - Australia

Schedule:  http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/teams/team=43969/index.html

Player 5 - Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden)

Name: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Age: 32
National Team:  Sweden
Team: Paris Saint-Germaine
Position: Striker Description of his Game:  Ibrahimovic is an absolutely devastating striker with perfect dribbling skills and powerful kicking ability. Unfortunately, he's also been involved in numerous incidents in which he's kicked, punched or thrown things at other individuals.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Highlights:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc9ktJ3JHXA
Career News: He is the world's best player that won't see a minute of play in Brazil 2014.
Interesting Personal Facts: His father is Bosniak while his mother is Croatian.  He almost quit playing football at the age of 15 but was convinced to continue by one of his managers. Ibrahimović is fluent in five languages; Swedish, Bosnian, English, Spanish, and Italian. Career Highlights:  Ibrahimović is the only player to have scored for six different clubs in the Champions League. Upcoming Matches Where You Can See Him Play:

Sweden's National Team did not qualify for Brazil 2014

Player 6 - Radamel Falcao (Colombia)

Name: Radamel Falcao

Age: 28

National Team:  Colombia

Team: Monaco

Position: Striker Description of his Game:  Falcao's knack for scoring is the result of speed, strength, touch and acrobatic skills. He's one of the most natural scorers alive.

Radamel Falcao's Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSJc16uhI18 

Career News: Part of Columbia's new golden generation.

Interesting Personal Facts: Falcao is a second generation footballer, with his father Radamel García having played professionally as a defender in Colombia.

Career Highlights:  In 2011, during the UEFA Champions League, Falcao surpassed Jurgen Klinsmann's record of 15 goals in a single annual club football European competition with 17. During his first 3 years in European League play, Falcao scored over 100 goals.

Upcoming Matches Where You Can See Him Play:

Colombia's National Team, First Round Games in Brazil 2014

June 14th - Colombia vs. Greece

June 19th - Colombia vs. Ivory Coast
June 24th - Colombia vs. Japan

Player 7 - Robin van Persie (Netherlands)

Name: Robin van Persie

Age: 30

National Team:  Holland

Team: Manchester United

Position: Striker Description of his Game: There probably isn't a better way to describe than as a scorer.  He can score from any angle, with headers, and constantly positions himself to maximize scoring opportunities.  He's incredibly ambidextrous.  

Robin van Persie 's Highlights:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8LxaCIVDXU

Interesting Personal Facts:  He is the son of two artists, and was encouraged to also become an artist himself.  His mother is a painter, his father a sculptor. He was alleged to have raped a 14 year old woman but was then released without charge.

Upcoming Matches Where You Can See Him Play:

Holland's National Team, First Round Games in Brazil 2014

June 13th - Spain

June 18th - Australia
June 23rd - Chile

Schedule:  http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/teams/team=43960/index.html