Gerard Pique

• Currently playing for Spain and Barcelona with Iniesta
• One of only three players to win Champions League back to back representing two different teams
• After failing to make Manchester United landed on Barcelona’s defense
• Started in the defense along with goalie Iker Casillos all seven matches in World Cup 2010 to help Spain win.
• Began playing for Spain's national team when 18 yrs old
• Dating pop singer Shakira

 

Iker Casillas

• Currently plays for Spain and Real Madrid, like fellow captain Ramos
• Captain for both teams
• Won Fifa’s Golden Glove award 2010 after helping Spain win their first world cup
• Was the youngest first choice goalie (2002) World Cup
• Bravo Trophy awarded to him (best European football under 21) in 2000, which Messi won more recently in 2007
• 2009 UEFA Team of the Year, was 3rd consecutive time

Sergio Ramos García

• Currently playing for Spain and Real Madrid along with goal keeper Casillas
• Youngest to start with Spain in the past 55 years (age 19)
• Older brother was first to play but now is his manager
• Proved he can play any defense position; center, right, or left
• Tied for record of most red cards for Real Madrid after getting kicked off the field from kicking Messi from behind
• One of the captains of Real Madrid

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite “Kaká”

• Currently playing for Brazil and Real Madrid
• Got the nickname ‘kaka’ from when his younger brother could not pronounce Ricardo
• Top scorer in 2007 UEFA Champions League which he helped to win
• 2^nd most expensive transfer right after Ronaldo, for 65 million from AC Milan to Real Madrid
• 2009 Time Magazine named as one of the top 100 influential people in the world
• Joined Real Madrid four years after Ramos

Christiano Ronaldo

• Currently plays for Portugal and Real Madrid
• Refused to be number 7 due to too much pressure to live up to by players that wore the number such as Beckham
• 2^nd Highest scorer in 2006 World cup
• Known for his dramatic falls
• 2008 Fifa’s World Player
• One of only three players to recieve consecutive Barclay's Player of the Month
• He finished as the runner-up to teammate Kaká for the 2007 Ballon d'Or.

David Beckham

·         Currently playing for England and MLS NY Red Bulls

·         Made 1^st team for Manchester United when only seventeen years old

·         Captain of England team for total of six years

·         Most recognizable player, Ronaldo being second

·         When transferred to Real Madrid his #7 was already taken so he took #23 for his admiration for Michael Jordan. It is also Clint Dempsey’s number.
·         Holds the all time record for most appearances of an outfield player

Franck Ribéry

•  Currently plays for Bayern Munich and French National Team
• Gained his scared appearance after a car accident when two years old
• Recognized as one of the best French players of his generation similar to Henry. Even labeled the “jewel of French football”
• First player to hold both honors of French Player of the Year and German Football of the Year
• Being sponsored by Nike, he wears their Mercurial Vapors one of the best cleats available today.
• Despite being quoted "At the moment I think Lionel Messi is the world’s best player. I’d like to play with Xavi. He’s a very good player who directs and organizes his team, and his passing is superb. He’s in incredible form at the moment. Of course, there are teams you dream of playing for, like Real Madrid or Barcelona" its said he will not leave Bayern for less that 100 million.
• Investigation on his involvement with a prostitute ring of minors started after World Cup 2010 and may affect his chances of playing.

Wayne Rooney

·         Currently playing for England’s National Team and Manchester United

·         First played international in 2003

·         Used to play with Ronaldo on Man U

·         Manchester United paid Everton over 25 million for him- highest paid trade for any player younger than 20 when he was only 18 years old.

·         Plays with Beckham nationally for England
·         First played professional soccer at age 9 for Everton

Thierry Henry

• Currently playing for French National Team and MLS New York Red Bulls
• Nickname Titi
• Top French scorer of all time
• Only player to be England’s Footballer of the Year 3xs
• Coming to America has created more interest in the sport along with Beckham's appearance and the World Cup.
• Began playing in America four years after American Dempsey left for his previous leauge the Barclays Premier League.

 

Mario Gomez

• Nicknamed Super Mario
• Currently playing for Germany and Bayern Munich
• 1^st time starting for Bayern games the 2010-2011 season
•  Currently one of the top Bundesliga scorer with 22 goals
• Awarded German Football of the Year (2007), one year before Franck Ribéry

Diego Forlán

• Currently plays for Uruguay and Altico Madrid
• His father and grandfather  played professional futbol as well
• Known for his shirtless celebrations after  goals, once got kicked off the field
• Left Manchester United just as Wayne Rooney joined
• Won Fifa’s Golden Boot along with Thierry Henry
• Golden ball Winner (best player at the Fifa Finals)

Xavi Hernandez

• Currently playing for Spain and Barcelona similar to Pique
• Entire career spent at Barcelona
• Barely beat Messi for 2010 World Player of the Year
• Appeared in the most games than any other Barcelona player
• 89% passing completion
• Total of 58 goals for Barcelona
• Has won a total of five La Liga Championships

Andrés Iniesta

• Currently playing for Spain and Barcelona
• All Star Team 2010 with Diego Forlan
• 1^st asked to represent Spain in World Cup 2006
• World Cup 2010 scored the winning goal in the game vs Chile
• “Best player in the world” -Wayne Rooney
• Named Man of the Match in World Cup Finals 2010 against Netherlands after scoring the winning goal

Lionel Messi

• Nickname The Flea
• Currently playing for Argentina and Barcelona
• First began playing for Argentina in 2005
• Nominated for Fifa Ballon d’Orgala 2010 along with Iniesta, Xavi, Prinz, and Bajramaj
• 3^rd youngest to ever play for Barcelona
• Labeled the new Diego Maradona

How Are All the top Soccer Players All Connected?

How are players like Wayne Rooney and David Beckham all connected to Messi? Click and find out.