Gerrad

Born on Merseyside, Liverpool on 30th May 1980 no-one would ever have guessed that Steven Gerrard would become one of the greatest players ever to pull on a Liverpool jersey. Gerrard is the captain of Liverpool and has become an integral part of the first team since making his debut on 30th November 1998.

Eager to stake a place in the first team during the 1999-200 season under Gerard Houllier Gerrard proved himself worthy only to suffer a set-back when he was overcome with back problems. Despite these injuries and claims that Gerrard would never play a full season for Liverpool he fought back to recover and put his injuries behind him.

The 2000-2001 season saw Gerrard put all injury worries behind him lifting his first majors trophies for the club in the form of the League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup. To cap a wonder season Gerrard was named as PFA Young Player of the Year.

Following the end of the 2001 season Gerrard’s confidence in his abilities grew and he became an increasingly influential player for Liverpool gaining valuable experience. Despite minor setbacks and a loss of confidence Gerrard rallied to become the on-field leader of Liverpool by the start of 2003. It came as no surprise when he was handed the captain’s armband, in the hope that he would inspire his teammates to improve their performances.

Despite Gerrard excelling in the role of captain Liverpool failed to lift any major trophies and there was a distinct lack of optimism about Liverpool’s future prospects under Houllier. It was suggested that Gerrard may have to move away from Anfield in order to achieve his potential but with the appointment of Rafael Benitez Gerrard decided to stay with the club and see what the new manager could do.

His trust was well placed as Gerrard became the second youngest captain ever to lift the European Cup as Liverpool defeated AC Milan in the 2005 Champion’s League Final. He was also named UEFA’s MVP for the 2004-2005 Champion’s League season. Things got even better for Gerrard when he was voted PFA player of the year in 2006. Under Gerrard's leadership, Liverpool have secured their place in the 2007 Champion’s League Final against AC Milan. Steven Gerrard plays for England and played in the 2004 European Championship and 2006 World Cup. Despite lifting no major honours with England Gerrard has secured his place in the starting 11 with strong performances and was named Vice-Captain by Steve McClaren after David Beckham resigned the post.

Ronaldo

After playing one season for Cruzeiro in Brazil, Ronaldo made a £4m move to PSV Eindhoven in Holland after the 1994 World Cup and it was in Europe that he began to make a name for himself as one of the world’s most exciting young talents.

FC Barcelona took him to Catalonia in Spain for a season in 1996 where the then 20 year old fitted easily into a team with a distinct Brazilian flavour which saw him score 34 goals in 37 appearances (47 in 49, including appearances in the Copa del Rey and European Cup Winners Cup) in that one season.

In 1996 Ronaldo became the youngest ever winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year trophy and cemented his reputation as one of the world’s finest players by retaining it the following year.

After only one successful season in Spain, Ronaldo moved to Internazionale of Milan in Italy. His time in Italy was again full of goals but serious injuries and defeat in the 1998 World Cup Final following a pre-game fit made the next few years a less than enjoyable time for Ronaldo.

After two operations on his damaged right knee and nearly two years of rehabilitation Ronaldo made him comeback in time for the 2002 World Cup Finals in Japan ad South Korea. Written off as past his best following the severe injuries he’d suffered, Ronaldo scored eight goals including two in the final to take the World Cup back to Brazil for a record fifth time. To cap it off he was always awarded his third FIFA World Player Of The Year award for 2002.

A $39m move to Real Madrid followed the World Cup after he fell out with officials and management at Inter and he quickly joined the growing band of “galactico” stars at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium.

Despite winning the La Liga title in 2003, Ronaldo hasn’t really refound the sparkling form he displayed in his early career and even after scoring a record 15th goal in the World Cup finals in Germany 2006, Ronaldo cut a lonely figure as Brazil crashed out and his proposed move to AC Milan collapsed.

Ronaldhinho

Born into a footballing family (his late father Joao played for Cruzeiro and his brother, now his manager, Roberto played for Gremio), the young Ronaldinho found more enjoyment in futsal and beach football before graduating to playing the standard game.

He began his football career at his brother's old club Gremio in the youth team under future Brazil World Cup winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and progressed to the first team aged 18 in 1998 and had made his Brazilian national team debut a year later in 1999.

His goalscoring exploits and sublime skill on the ball drew much attention from Europe and in 2001 Ronaldinho left Gremio to move to France and Paris St. Germain. His time in Paris was littered with fallings out with then PSG coach Luis Fernandez who disapproved of Ronaldinho's love of Parisian nightlife and after two mildly successful years in France he again packed his bags and headed for Barcelona.

In his first season at Barcelona Ronaldinho more than justified his reputed £18m price tag as he helped coax the Catalan giants into second place in La Liga and earnt himself the title of 2004 World Player of the Year.

Having caught the eye of big spending Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, Ronaldinho was the subject of a failed £60m bid from the West London club and despite the resignation of his friend Sandor Rosell as Barcelona's vice president of sports, he signed a new contract in late 2005 with the Catalan club.

As well as helping Barcelona to back to back La Liga titles in 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 and the European Champion's League in 2006, Ronaldinho has also won a host of personal awards including:

FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005
FIFPro World Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006
European Footballer of the Year in 2005
UEFA Champions League Best Forward in 2004-05
World Soccer Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005
and UEFA Champions League Most Valuable Player in 2005-06.

Ronaldinho also became a World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002.

Rooney

Henry