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

Player 8 - Andrea Pirlo (Italy)

Name: Andrea Pirlo

Age: 35

National Team:  Italy

Team: Juventus

Position: Midfielder Description of his Game:   He may not be the most physical or notable defensive or tackler, but Pirlo demonstrates superb touch, technique, control, dribbling, vision, and improvisational skills.  He's also an expert at set pieces.  At the age of 35, he is still one of the top 10 players in the world.

Andrea Pirlo's Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wfe6fisAMTE

Interesting Personal Facts:  Pirlo's father founded a metal trading company, he has a brother playing professional football and also owns his own vineyard.

Career Highlights:  Pirlo is the fifth-most capped player in the history of the Italian national team with 107 caps.   His list of accolades is just far too lengthy too include here.  Suffice it to say, Pirlo has almost nothing else to prove to the game.

Upcoming Matches Where You Can See Him Play:

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

June 14th - England

June 20th - Costa Rica

June 24th - Uruguay

Schedule: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/teams/team=43954/index.html

Player 9 - Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)

Name: Yaya Toure

Age: 31

National Team:  Ivory Coast

Team: Manchester City

Position: Midfielder Description of his Game:  Yaya's game is based on speed, power and a tremendously strong striking foot.  He ability to bend the ball and take shots at goal from long distance make him a constant threat from all angles and from any distance.  His a midfielder but often looks like a striker.

Yaya Toure's Highlights:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJlU61Q7rzg

Career News: He was voted African Football of the Year for 2011, 2012 and 2013. Interesting Personal Facts:   His is the younger brother of Kolo Toure, who also plays for the Ivory Coast and was also his teammate while playing for Liverpool. Upcoming Matches Where You Can See Him Play:

Ivory Coast's National Team, First Round Games in Brazil 2014

June 14th - Ivory Coast vs. Japan

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

Schedule:  http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/teams/team=43854/matches.html

Player 10 - Edinson Cavani (Uruguay)

Name:  Edinson Cavani

Age: 27 

Nationality: Uruguay

Team: Paris Saint-Germaine

Position: Forward

Description of his Game: Cavani is not only highly skilled as a forward, he has incredible strength, allowing him to impose his will when on the attack.

Edinson Cavani' Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUGwXoyW1DI

Career News:  He has since participated in two major tournaments, the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2011 Copa America. He scored once at the 2010 World Cup, to help Uruguay to fourth place in the tournament, and in 2011 was part of the Uruguay squad, that won a record 15th Copa América title.

Interesting Personal Facts: Cavani is a devout Evangelical Christian.  Both his older and younger brothers are also footballers.

Upcoming Matches Where You Can See Him Play:

Uruguay’s National Team, First Round Games in Brazil 2014

June 14th – Costa Rica

June 19th - England

June 24th - Italy

Schedule:  http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/teams/team=43930/matches.html

Player 11 - Sergio Aguero (Argentina)

Name: Sergio Aguero

Age: 25

National Team:  Argentina

Team: Manchester City

Position: Striker Description of his Game:   The main thing I can tell about Aguero is his intensity.  He's relentless when on the attack, and his strength plays a major role in helping beat defenders when running down the field. 

Sergio Aguero's Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbHP4_x53fk

Interesting Personal Facts:  Aguero was married to one of football legend Maradona's daughers. Career Highlights:  On 5 July 2003, he became the youngest player to debut in the Argentine Primera Division at 15 years and 35 days, breaking the record previously established by Maradona in 1976. 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 12 - Iker Casillas (Spain)

Name: Iker Casillas

Age: 32

National Team:  Spain

Team: Real Madrid

Position: Goalkeeper Description of his Game:  Casillas goalkeeping speaks for itself, as he is the man behind the Spanish national team during its golden era of the past 10 years.  He is the most capped goalkeeper of all time.

Iker Casillas' Highlights:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpx3MxbgEo8

Career Highlights:  Considered to be one of the finest goalkeepers of all time,Casillas was nominated for the European Football of the Year award in 2008, ranking fourth overall.At the end of 2012 he was voted into the UEFA Team of the Year for the sixth consecutive time.

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 13 - Neymar (Brazil)

Name: Neymar

Age: 22

National Team:  Brazil

Team: Chelsea

Position: Winger Description of his Game:  The first two things you notice about Neymar are his speed and his footwork.  When running down the field while in possession of the ball, he's as dangerous as anyone in the game. There's a long list of former legendary players and current ones who think that Neymar will become the best player in the world. 

Neymar's Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3in9BW7k9fg

Career Highlights:  What Neymar has accomplished at a young age is the stuff of legends. 
At the age of 19, he won the 2011 South American Footballer of the Year award, after coming third in 2010. And to think, he's still only 22 years old.

Upcoming Matches Where You Can See Him Play:

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

June 12th - Brazil vs. Croatia

June 17th - Brazil vs. Mexico

June 23rd -Brazil vs. Cameroon

Schedule:  http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/teams/team=43924/matches.html

Player 14 - Sergio Busquets (Spain)

Name: Sergio Busquets 

Age: 25

National Team:  Spain

Team: Barcelona

Position: Defensive Midfielder Description of his Game:  Busquets is an amazing passer, and his ability to change direction and fool opponents is among the best the game.  If there is such a thing as an unsung hero on the Spanish team, it may be Busquets.  Though not very imposing physically, his tremendous skill more than makes up for it.

Sergio Busquets' Highlights:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7xnvfz74H4

Interesting Personal Facts:  His father played as a goalkeeper for Barcelona in the 1990's, though almost exclusively as a backup. Career Highlights:  Still young at 25, Busquets helped Spain win the 2010 World Cup and the Euro 2012 tournaments.

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

Barcelona  (La Liga)

Schedule: http://www.fcbarcelona.com/

Player 15 - Xabi Alonso (Spain)

Name: Xabi Alonso
Age: 32
National Team:  Spain
Team: Real Madrid
Position: Attacking Midfielder Description of his Game:  At midfield, Alonso is a great captain on the field, capable of reading plays before they occur and landing a ball at a teammates feet from long distances.  Great poise and control of the ball.  
Xabi Alonso' Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiCV_rNS0GI
Interesting Personal Facts:  Alonso is a huge Liverpool supporter. Career Highlights:  Since playing for the national time for the first time in 2003, Alonso has played for the Spanish side during a golden era, winning the Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup, and Euro 2012. 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 16 - Thiago Silva (Brazil)

Name: Thiago Silva
Age: 29
National Team:  Brazil
Team: Paris Saint-Germain
Position: Winger Description of his Game:  Silva is a fearless defender with incredible speed, strength and timing. He is one of the fastest defenders in European football and combines his physical gifts with a phenomenal intelligence of the game.
Thiago Silva's Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XuBwU4jq4g&noredirect=1 
Career Highlights:  He is the captain of the Brazilian national team.
Personal Facts:  Silva was stricken by a case of Tuberculosis and was hospitalized for six months. His illness became much worse over time and his doctors told him that if he had remained in hospital for two more weeks, he could have died.
Upcoming Matches Where You Can See Him Play:

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

June 12th - Brazil vs. Croatia

June 17th - Brazil vs. Mexico

June 23rd -Brazil vs. Cameroon

Schedule:  http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/teams/team=43924/matches.html

Player 17 - Mesut Ozil (Germany)

Name: Mesut Ozil

Age: 25

National Team:  Germany

Team: Arsenal

Position: Attacking Mid-fielder Description of his Game:  Like David Silva, Ozil is one of the greatest attacking midfielders in the game today.  There is an endless list of experts who refer to him as being a unique player in the world, with a talent and style of play that has no equal. 

Mesut Ozil's Highlights:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VywOgIzJnI0&noredirect=1

Interesting Personal Facts: Özil is a third-generation Turkish-German ans is also muslim.

Career Highlights:  At the 2010 World Cup he was nominated for the Golden Ball Award, which is awarded to the tournament's best player.

Upcoming Matches Where You Can See Him Play:

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

June 16th - Germany vs. Portugal

June 21st - Germany vs. Ghana

June 26th -Germany vs. USA

Schedule:  http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/teams/team=43948/matches.html

Player 18 - David Silva (Spain)

 

Name: David Silva

Age: 28

National Team:  Spain

Team: Manchester City

Position: Attacking Midfielder Description of his Game:   When people refer to him as an attacking midfielder, they mean it without any reservations.  Silva is constantly on the attack, making plays with incredible passes.  Sometimes the slightest one-touch pass from him can change an entire game.

David Silva' Highlights:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbXzJ2cb8SY

Interesting Personal Facts:  Born in the Canary Islands, his father is Canarian and his mother is of Japanese decent.

Career Highlights:  Since the age of 20, he's played for a Spanish National team that has won three consecutive international tournaments, the first time any European player has completed that task.

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 19 - Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)

 

Name: Bastian Schweinsteiger

Age: 29

National Team:  Germany

Team: Bayern Munich

Position: Mid-fielder Description of his Game: Bastian is a sensational and spectacular footballer.  He possesses amazing dribbling skills, a solid reading of the game, great speed and superior decision making skills.

Bastian Schweinsteiger's Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OIB8UlxSb0&noredirect=1

Career Highlights:  He's won seven Bundesliga titles, six German Cups, a UEFA Champions League title and a two League Cups. 

Upcoming Matches Where You Can See Him Play:

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

June 16th - Germany vs. Portugal

June 21st - Germany vs. Ghana

June 26th -Germany vs. USA

Schedule:  http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/teams/team=43948/matches.html

Bayern Munich (German League)

Schedule: http://www.fcbayern.de/en/

Player 20 Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)

Name: Gianluigi Buffon

Age: 36

National Team:  Italy

Team: Juventus

Position: Goalkeeper Description of his Game:   Buffon has the Italian record for most caps and is considered by man y to be greatest goalkeepers of all time. In addition to having tremendous defensive skills, Buffon is known for being a vocal organizer of the defense.

Gianluigi Buffon's Highlights:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S2m2Mcy49E 

Interesting Personal Facts:  Buffon was born into a family of Italian athletes, beginning with his mother having been a discuss thrower and and his father having been a weightlifter. His two sisters played for the Italian national volleyball team.  He also has an uncle who played for the Italina national basketball team.

Career Highlights:  Buffon has been the UEFA Goalkeeper and UEFA Club Footballer of the Year, the IFFHS and Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year Awards and the Yashin Award after his 2006 World Cup Victory with Italy. He has also won the FIFA Pro World XI Goalkeeper award and placed second in the 2006 Ballon d'Or.  He was named goalkeeper of the 21st Century and of the decade by IFFHS.

Upcoming Matches Where You Can See Him Play:

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

June 14th - England

June 20th - Costa Rica

June 24th - Uruguay

Schedule: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/teams/team=43954/index.html

Player 21 Luis Suarez (Uruguay)

Name:  Luis Suarez

Age: 27 

Nationality: Uruguay

Team: Liverpool (English Premier League)

Position: Forward

Description of his Game:  Undoubtedly one of the best players in the world.  While Suárez is a crafty player with tremendous skill, he is also known for having bitten opposing players twice, once in 2010 and once in 2013, resulting in a 10-match ban in the second case. 

Luis Suarez' Highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R40_TDSmb70

Career News:   The most frequent scorer of hat-tricks in Premier League history. On 27 April 2014 he won the PFA Player of the Year award, becoming the first non-European to win the award.  On 23 June 2013, Suarez became Uruguay's all-time record goalscorer with 35 goals.

Interesting Personal Facts:  His older brother, Paolo Suarez, is also a professional footballer, currently playing for Isidro Metapan in El Salvador.  

Upcoming Matches Where You Can See Him Play:

Uruguay’s National Team, First Round Games in Brazil 2014

June 14th – Costa Rica

June 19th - England

June 24th - Italy

Schedule:  http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/teams/team=43930/matches.html