With the World Cup commencing this week, four players will be the shining lights at the premier event.
Ronaldinho – Attacking Midfielder – Brazil
His name means 'little Ronaldo' in Portuguese, and like his namesake stole the show four year ago, pundits believe this will be Ronaldinho's World Cup. And not many can disagree.
Since moving to Barcelona from PSG three years ago, he has been a class above the rest, winning the FIFA World Player of the Year twice and the European Player of the Year once.
His arrival at the Catalan giants has brought home two Spanish La Liga titles and the coveted European Champions League Trophy.
So what makes Ronaldinho so good? Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard once commented that a man with his talent cannot be coached, but you can only sit back and marvel at his magic.
The Brazilian is at the heart of most of Barcelona's attacks, and has fantastic footwork. Ronaldinho has magnificent close ball control and is very difficult to man mark, with an ability to skip past two or three markers without a sweat.
But despite his fantastic footwork, his link up play with team mates is deadly.
The attacking midfielder's deft touches, flicks and passes can release players around him, destroying even the most organised of defenders.
At the World Cup, Ronaldinho will be in a drooling attacking group that includes Kaka, Robinho, Ronaldo and Adriano.
Importantly for Australia, staving the current World Player of the Year of the ball may dry up most of Brazil's deadly attack. However, putting two or more players on Ronaldinho may be dangerous, freeing up space for his colleagues to make runs and the midfielder's uncanny ability to find them.
Steven Gerrard – Midfielder – England,
When Gerrard plays well, Liverpool plays well.
Since the midfielder's development from the Red's youth system to the first team, Liverpool's fans have witnessed a renaissance at the club.
Gerrard has brought glory back to Anfield, winning the FA Cup twice, the European Super Cup twice, the UEFA cup and the Champions League Trophy.
The Anfield man's best quality's is his ability to read the game, and command the midfield. Gerrard's both short and long passing game is one of his fantastic attributes, with his ability to either link up in small spaces, switch play, or send accurate long passes up forward to set up an attack.
The Red's man is also a leader on the field and is justifiably the team's captain. When his team is not in possession, Gerrard is a tireless worker in midfield, with his willingness to get back in defence, grab the ball, and get his team back on the attack.
When up forward, the talisman can find the back of the net from anywhere, with a freakish ability to score goals at the most crucial moments.
A recent example is the FA Cup final. With his side down 3-1 to West Ham, Gerrard's two goals levelled the contest, his second effort from 25 metres out with just seconds left to full time.
With England, his partnership with Frank Lampard, David Beckham and Joe Cole will make up what this writer believes is the most potent midfield at the World Cup.
Michael Ballack – Midfielder – Germany
As hosts of the football spectacle, Germany is one of the favourites to go all the way, and if that's the case, Michael Ballack will be central to that quest.
Michael Ballack has made his name at Bayern Munich, with his time at the German club bringing in three Bundesliga titles, and just as many German Cups.
He has also been voted the German Player of the year thrice, and the UEFA midfielder of the year.
Recently, Ballack's transfer to Chelsea will see him one of the highest paid players in the game.
In Korea and Japan, Ballack was a vital part to Germany's charge to the World Cup final before they fell to Brazil, and he will be just as important this time around to go one step further.
Just like Steven Gerrard, Ballack's vision and passing ability can either create space or put one of his players through a hole.
Like all good midfielders, Ballack has the ability to score goals, and at 189 cm tall, he is especially good in the air.
Complimented with the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Torsten Frings, and Bernd Schneider in the midfield, Ballack should have a free roll up forward to weave his magic.
However, sadly for Germany their World Cup hopes do hinge heavily on the mood Ballack turns up with on match day.
Francesco Totti – Attacking Midfielder – Italy
Since Roberto Baggio left the international scene, Francesco Totti has been Italy's most important player in the past five years.
The attacking midfielder plies his trade with Serie A side AS Roma, and has been named Italy's Player of the Year twice.
His tenure at the club has seen them win the Serie A title once, finish runners-up another time, and compete in the world's most lucrative tournament, the Champions League.
However, success in the domestic scene has not transferred onto the world stage. His finest performance so far in the famous Azzuri jumper was at the turn of the century, where he was a vital part in Italy's charge to the Euro 2000 final, lost 2-1 to France.
Totti has fantastic footwork, with his ability to weave past markers one of his best traits. The attacking midfielder also has an eye for a good threw ball and can release his strikers at any moment.
However, Italy's strength traditionally lies with its defence and the ability for fast counter attacks. Totti's movement and decisions at these crucial moments may provide most of his country's goals.
The Roman will play just behind the strikers, with his link up play with forwards Alberto Gilardino, Luca Toni, Vincenzo Iaquinta or Filippo Inzagh, vital to success.
Special attention should also be payed to Lionel Messi from Argentina, Andrij Shevchenko of Ukraine, and Frenchman Zinedine Zidane, which will be his last World Cup.
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