Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi started playing football at a very early age in his hometown's Newell's Old Boys. From the age of 11, he suffered from a hormone deficiency and as Lionel's parents were unable to pay for the treatment in Argentina, they decided to move to Barcelona, Spain.

Cesc Fabregas

Unlike the aforementioned Messi, Fabregas left hometown club Barcelona at the age of just 16 when joining Arsenal in 2003 and it was a gamble that quickly paid off. After the club had gone unbeaten in 2003-04, Wenger could ignore the talent of Fabregas no longer and his stunning emergence the following season even convinced his manager to sell captain Patrick Vieira, such was his faith in the Spaniard who took the famous number four shirt.

Fernando Torres

Appropriately for a player nicknamed El Nino ('The Kid'), Torres has set tongues wagging from a very early age. After coming through the ranks at Atletico Madrid he became the club's youngest ever player in May 2001 and was later installed as their youngest ever captain at the age of 19. However, despite his admirable loyalty over a period of six years, Torres was finally lured to Anfield in the summer of 2007 for a fee of around £21.5 million, just weeks after 'You'll Never Walk Alone' was seen inscribed on his captain's armband at Atleti.

Cristiano Ronaldo

The year 2006 to 2008 proved to be a rather controversial year for the star. In the 2006 World Cup, Cristiano faced accusations regarding his sportsmanship. In a quarter-final match against England, he was heavily criticized for sending of his club team mate, Wayne Rooney who was playing for the England team.

Carlos Vela

A succession of superb performances at the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2005 convinced Arsenal to pay £125,000 for the Mexican forward, and although he has shown flashes of genius, the onus is very much on Vela to demonstrate he is a valuable first-team member after inheriting Robin van Persie's No. 11 shirt at Emirates Stadium ahead of the 2010-11 season.

Didier Drogba

Undoubtedly one of the best centre forwards in the world, Drogba still manages to polarise opinion with his theatrical and temperamental style of play taking the shine off the powerful striker's incredible talent. Drogba moved from his native Ivory Coast to France in 1988, living with his uncle in order to pursue a career in football

Carlos Tevez

Carlos Tevez is a history maker in South America having been named that continent’s player of the season for three years in succession. He arrived garlanded with medals having won the Copa Scudamerocana, the Intercontinental Cup, the Primera Division and the Copa Libertadores with Boca Juniors and Serie A in Brazil with Corinthians before moving to England, where he won two Premier League titles, the Champions League and the Carling Cup.

Andrew Carroll

8:59 PM Admin

Profile:
Squad No: 39
Position: Forward
Age: 21
Birth Date: Jan 6, 1989
Birth Place: Gateshead
Height: 6' 3'' (1.91m)
Weight: 79 kg
One of England's brightest young talents, Carroll made a name for himself in the 2010-11 season when, despite a number of off-pitch incidents, he elevated himself among the top strikers in the Premier League.

First appearing as a late substitute for Newcastle at the age of just 17 years and 300 days, Carroll became the youngest ever player to represent the club in Europe, in a match against Palermo in November 2006. After being awarded the 'Wor Jackie Milburn Trophy' in 2007, for being the brightest rising star of North-East football, Carroll spent an unsuccessful six month loan spell at Preston North End, managing just one Championship goal in 11 appearances.

Upon his return to Newcastle though, his quality began to show, and the departure of several key attacking players following the club's relegation back to the Championship in 2009, proved to be a blessing in disguise for the striker. Scoring 17 goals in 39 appearances, Carroll formed a solid partnership with Peter Lovernkrands, with the duo scoring more than half of the club's goals in the season.

His career , however, has been blighted by a number of negative off the field incidents, as he has twice been in court charged with assault. If he keeps his focus on the pitch, he could be one of the best.

Strengths: A true No. 9, Carroll has the strength and power to match it with the very best defenders in the Premier League. His outstanding heading ability, coupled with a strong work ethic, make him a handful for any opposition.

Weaknesses: His temperament off the pitch is the main issue, while his inexperience also leads him to make the odd rash decision.

Career high: Scoring an exceptional hat-trick in a 6-0 win over Aston Villa, marking the perfect return to the Premier League for Newcastle on August 22, 2010.

Career low: Amongst the number of off the field incidents Carroll has been involved in, the most embarrassing from a playing perspective would have to be being sent home whilst on international duty for the England Under-19 side, after breaking a curfew during preparation for a match against Romania U-19.

Style: Powerful, strong and confident, a potential star of the future.

Quotes: "As for Carroll, he is somebody with a genuine chance of emulating Alan Shearer, but history tells you that guys who continually find themselves on the front page never turn into anything." Former Liverpool captain Alan Hanson, November 2010.

Trivia: Part of Carroll's bail conditions for one court appearance was that he was forced to live with club captain Kevin Nolan, who put him on an 11pm bedtime.

Source: Soccernet