Michael Ballack – Germany
One of the biggest Adidas names and one for whom the brand and his country will have high hopes.
Came in to his own in the latter part of the club season with Chelsea in the English Premier League and was seemingly a far more effective player for Avram Grant than he was for Jose Mourinho.
Made his debut in 1999 and has since played 81 times for his country scoring on 36 occasions. Missed out on the final of the 2002 World Cup because of suspension.
Became captain of the national side under Jurgen Klinsmann. Always wears the number 13.
Wears the Adidas Predator PowerSwerve football boot.
Daniele De Rossi – Italy
A one club man having come up through the youth ranks at AS Roma where he still plays.
Won an Olympic bronze medal in Athens having made his club debut a year earlier. Could have led Roma to European club glory this season but missed a vital penalty against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Made his international debut in 2006 but got himself sent off at the World Cup finals for elbowing USA striker Brian McBride. He received a four match ban but was still described by McBride as ‘classy’ after apologising.
Came on as a second half substitute in the final against France and scored in the penalty shoot out as Italy won the tournament.Has played 33 times for his country.
Wears the Adidas Predator PowerSwerve football boot.
Kevin Kuranyi – Germany
Not many German internationals could claim to have been born in Rio de Janeiro but Kuranyi was to a German-Hungarian father and Panamanian mother.
Speaks 5 languages.
Currently with FC Schalke 04, he made his debut for Germany in the Euro 2004 qualifiers against Lithuania.
Failed to make the squad for the 2006 World Cup finals but has since returned to form. Has scored 19 times in his 46 international appearances.
Wears the Adidas F50.8 TUNiT football boot.
Dirk Kuyt – Holland
Well known to English Premier League fans after his exploits for Liverpool.
Before moving to Merseyside, he played for FC Utrecht and Feyenoord in his native Holland, once turning out on 179 consecutive occasions between 2001 and 2006.
Made his international debut in 2004 in Marco van Basten’s first match in charge as Dutch coach.
Has since scored 7 goals for his country from 36 appearances.
Wears the Adidas Predator PowerSwerve football boot
David Villa – Spain
One of the hottest properties in Spanish football and currently being chased by a number of the world’s top clubs.
Started his club career with Sporting de Gijon before moving on to Real Zaragoza whom he helped to victory in the Copa del Rey against Real Madrid. Moved to Valencia in 2005.
Scored 18 goals from 19 league starts this season but couldn’t prevent Valencia finishing in mid table. Some respite was achieved as Villa collected another Copa del Rey winners medal.
Got a gentle introduction to international football making his debut in 2005 against San Marino.
Scored twice against Ukraine in his first World Cup finals appearance and has now racked up 14 goals in 31 games.
Wears the Adidas F50.8 TUNiT football boot
