Soccerati.net - The World Cup

Born on July 10, 1985 at Daegu, South Korea; the 182cm tall and 70 kg lightweight striker is Korea’s fastest rising golden boy.

His leadership on U-20 Korean national team gave them their 11th continental Youth Championship that helped this South Korean striker to win the “AFC Young Player of the Year” from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 2004. His performance on the national team earned him the Golden Ball award, MVP of the finals, and the Most Valuable Player award of the tournament.

His growth continued on the national squad in January 2005 by scoring 9 goals in 4 games in Qatar 8-team tournament.

Because of his brilliant play and offers being handed down; he left Korea University to play professional football for FC Seoul.

His success and continued progressive development may one day bring him to his English Premier League dream.

Korea has a lot of celebration ahead of them if he plays in June the way he played during the qualifiers wherein he scored goals against Uzbekistan and Kuwait.

His small frame and fragile looking physique is opposite the strength his kicks produce.

His skeptics will be proven wrong come June that this kid is more than the hype that surrounded him the past year.

I am looking forward for a great deal of excitement come World Cup 2006 with all the talent who will see action during the games. At the same time I am saddened knowing that my favorite players might be playing their last World Cup; although I know there are upcoming players that will replace their wizardry and mastery of the game.

Below is a list of my all time favorite players seeing the end of their career as well as the players who will be replacing them?

THE RETIREES

David Beckham

The rock star of soccer happens to be the media darling of the football world. The Real Madrid star almost single-handedly dragged England during the World Cup clash with Greece in 2001.

Oliver Kahn

He is best remembered in 2002 where he almost led Germany to World Cup glory by shutting out one goal after another. The fiery player is near the end of this career at the age of 37. Expect his emotions to flow heavily come June.

Luis Figo

34 year-old Luis Figo winner of the FIFA World Cup player of the Year is still expected to lead Portugal in the World Cup event. He may no longer possess the breathtaking change of pace but has developed into a more mature and calmed player.

Zinedine Zidane

At 34 years of age, still a force to be reckoned with, and my fondest wish is for France to put in a good showing with this classy superstar at the helm so that he can put the ghosts of ‘02 behind him.

Ronaldo

The embattled 30 year old striker from Real Madrid has a lot of years ahead of him; probably another World Cup appearance. But his declining physical competitiveness and rising status of Ronaldinho, Kaka and possibly Robinho may push him aside come the next competition.

THE FUTURE

Wayne Rooney

This 20 year old sensation may not have the glamour of a David Beckham status but he will remain at top of the media as long as he continues scoring goals. The top goal scorer in Euro 2004 shows a lot of promise.

Lukas Podolski

Lukas became the highest scoring 18 year old player in Bundesliga’s 43-year history by tallying a total of 10 goals in 19 appearances. He is also in the hunt to win the Gillette Best Young Player Award come FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany.Lukas became the highest scoring 18 year old player in Bundesliga’s 43-year history by tallying a total of 10 goals in 19 appearances. He is also in the hunt to win the Gillette Best Young Player Award come FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany.

Robinho

He is still a player prospect but according to Pele he has everything it takes to become even better than he was. If it’s Pele that made the comment then we should be keeping a close eye on this player.He is still a player prospect but according to Pele he has everything it takes to become even better than he was. If it’s Pele that made the comment then we should be keeping a close eye on this player.

Kaka

An outstanding talent; he is the driving force of AC Milan at barely 22 years old. His undeniable talent has edged megastar Rivaldo out of the team and Portuguese legend Rui Costa sitting as spectator in games.
Whether these future players would be able to hold the torch passed on by the superstars remain to be seen.

Lukas Podolski described by his former coach Huub Stevens as “a young Johan Cruyff, a young Ryan Giggs or Wayne Rooney” was born on April 6, 1985 in Gliwice, Poland. Nicknamed “Poldi”, this German striker sometimes wander around the midfield area trying to snatch the ball for a sprint to the net. His cold-blooded finishing touch gives goaltenders something to fear in the field.

This young player who struggled in his early years is expected to contend in the Gillette Best Young Player Award come FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany.

After struggling early on, the kid became the highest scoring 18 year old player in Bundesliga’s 43-year history by tallying a total of 10 goals in 19 appearances.

His excellent ascent to the world of soccer made him the first second-division player in 31 years to play on the national team on his debut for Rudi Voller’s Germany on June 6, 2004 against Hungary.

Likewise, Podolski played as the squad’s youngest for Germany at Euro 2004 and brilliantly scored 3 goals in the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2005.

His contract with Cologne runs until 2007; and up until that time, both Barcelona and Bayern could only watch from the sidelines keeping a close eye on him for a possible snatch off his team. Hamburger SV and Werder Bremen have signified their interest on him as well.

Below are the highlights of Lukas career history:

03-04 FC Cologne  10 Goals, 19 Games
04-05 FC Cologne  24 Goals, 30 Games
05-06 FC Cologne  8 Goals, 25 Games

His talent coupled with a magnetic personality and communication prowess uplifted his charisma enough to have an LP-10 boots collection from Adidas and front cover picture alongside Rooney and Ronaldinho in a new computer game. Podolski is a combination of Rudi Voller’s poise and character together with the marketing potential of David Beckham. Despite his rise to fame he has kept both Oliver Kahn and Michael Ballack as his mentor. This kind of humility will ensure a massive support from the masses for the years to come.

His performance in World Cup 2006 may further boost him to greater heights. Watch out for him!