The world is watching
By JEREMY RASMUSSEN, Times correspondent
Published June 4, 2006
They're all international soccer stars with a talent for finding the goal. They are the heart of their national teams. Fans in their nations pin four years' worth of hopes on their shoulders. Combined, they have won every honor imaginable - two have already been on a World Cup winner.
The Times' five players to watch in this year's World Cup, which starts Friday in Germany, have their differences too. Andriy Shevchenko led Ukraine to its first World Cup appearance. Brazilian star Ronaldinho leads the only nation to appear in all 18 World Cups. Thierry Henry stars on a French team looking to rebound from an embarrassing, goal-less first-round exit in 2002. Four years ago, the United States appeared in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1930, and Landon Donovan was - and is - the star attraction. And Frank Lampard is a key factor for England, the inventor of the modern game, waiting to succeed again.
Germany is the center of the soccer universe for the next month, but these five represent nearly all corners of the world - two traditional European contenders, one South American juggernaut, an emerging Eastern European squad and a North American team looking to cement its reputation both at home and abroad.
If any of these nations are to fulfill their ambitions, these five players will take them there.
Oh, one more thing: None has hit his 30th birthday.
Ronaldinho, Brazil
POSITION: Midfielder.
AGE: 26.
PRO CLUB: Barcelona (Spanish La Liga).
INTERNATIONAL APPEARANCES: 60.
Ronaldinho has been mentioned in the same breath with all-time greats Pele, Maradona and Johann Cruyff, and he could end up surpassing them all. Besides his field vision, pinpoint passing accuracy and incredible moves, he is known for always having a smile on his face. He truly appears to enjoy being a cut above everyone else on the planet.
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira acquired his nickname, which is Portuguese for "little Ronaldo," to differentiate him from fellow Brazilian superstar Ronaldo.
Ronaldinho's talented Barca squad topped Arsenal 2-1 in the UEFA Champions League final on May 17, confirming him as the best player on the best club in Europe. He also has been named FIFA world player of the year the past two years.
His Brazilian team might be even better than it was four years ago when it beat Germany 2-0 in the final. Besides Ronaldinho, six other Brazilians were among the top 25 players in the world in FIFA's voting last year: Adriano, Kaka, Ronaldo, Robinho, Cafu and Roberto Carlos.
Thierry Henry, France
POSITION: Striker.
AGE: 28.
PRO CLUB: Arsenal (English Premier League).
INTERNATIONAL APPEARANCES: 76.
Henry's speed, deft touch and finishing prowess have made him Arsenal's all-time leading scorer (200-plus goals) and place him among the world's most dangerous attackers.
He was runnerup for FIFA world player of the year in 2003 and 2004 after helping Arsenal to an unprecedented 49-game league unbeaten streak, FA Cup championships in 2003 and 2005 and the Premier League title in 2004. He also has been named French player of the year a record four times.
He won the European Golden Boot Award given to the top goal-scorer in Europe two straight years (tied with Villarreal's Diego Forlan last year), tallying 30 goals in 2004 and 25 in 2005.
Henry had been rumored to be moving to Barcelona, adding intrigue to the UEFA Champions League final against Ronaldinho and Barca. But he announced after the game that he is staying with Arsenal and agreed to a four-year contract.
Landon Donovan, United States
POSITION: Striker/midfielder.
AGE: 24.
PRO CLUB: Los Angeles Galaxy (Major League Soccer).
INTERNATIONAL APPEARANCES: 78.
Donovan is probably the top offensive player in U.S. soccer history, combining speed with an uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time, not to mention complete fearlessness even at 5 feet 8 and 158 pounds.
Donovan has led the national team in scoring the past three years and is on pace to become the all-time leader by next year. He has 25 international goals, behind Eric Wynalda (34) and current U.S. teammate Brian McBride (29). Donovan is the all-time assists leader (23).
Donovan started every match for the United States in the 2002 World Cup, scoring twice and leading the team to the quarterfinals. It was the best finish for the United States in more than 70 years. He was named U.S. Soccer male athlete of the year in 2003 and 2004, though outstanding goalkeeper Kasey Keller won that award in 2005.
Donovan's return to Germany will be bittersweet since he had two miserable stints in the German Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen in which he could not crack the first team.
Frank Lampard, England
POSITION: Midfield.
AGE: 27.
PRO CLUB: Chelsea (English Premier League).
INTERNATIONAL APPEARANCES: 38.
Lampard comes from an illustrious soccer family, including his father, Frank Sr., who was a defender on the English national team and a two-time FA Cup winner with West Ham United. Lampard was named the Premiership's player of the year in 2005 by the Football Writers' Association and has led Chelsea to the league title the past two seasons.
Besides being equally adept at offense and defense and having a fearsome shot from anywhere past midfield, Lampard has been extremely durable, on the order of Brett Favre or Cal Ripken Jr. Lampard holds the Premiership record for consecutive games played (164).
Lampard finished second to Ronaldinho in last year's FIFA world player of the year voting, and England will rely heavily on him because star scorer Wayne Rooney broke his foot April 29 and is questionable for the World Cup. Of course, the team still has plenty of firepower with David Beckham and Michael Owen, though the latter has a muscle injury.
Lampard has been rumored to be considering a jump to Barcelona, partly because he's engaged to a Catalonian woman, Elen Rives, who is a big Barca fan.
Andriy Shevchenko, Ukraine
POSITION: Midfield.
AGE: 29.
PRO CLUB: Chelsea (English Premier League).
INTERNATIONAL APPEARANCES: 63.
Shevchenko, named European player of the year in 2004, would like nothing more than to add another title to his collection, which includes Serie A, UEFA Champions League, European Super Cup, Italian Cup and Italian League Super Cup championships with AC Milan.
His national team also served notice that it is a force to be reckoned with this year, qualifying for its first World Cup after finishing first in a tough European bracket that included Turkey, Denmark and European champion Greece.
"Sheva" combines speed and skill with a great nose for the goal and last week left AC Milan to sign with Chelsea. His wife is American model Kristen Pazik. The couple, who have a baby son named Jordan (for Michael Jordan), don't speak Italian and want their son to learn English.
Sheva was the top scorer in the 2005-06 UEFA Champions League with nine goals and is the second all-time AC Milan scorer with 173 goals.
The official AC Milan Web site called Shevchenko "the best striker in the world." To replace Sheva, the Rossoneri (red and black) are rumored to be courting Manchester United's Dutch striker, Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
On May 8, Shevchenko twisted his knee against Parma and hopes to be healed by the time Ukraine plays Spain on June 14 in its World Cup opener.