ESPN and the Stars of Soccer at the 2010 World Cup
To help promote its biggest marketing campaign for a single event, the American cable television giant will look to illuminating the sport’s stars to draw in viewers.
Here are some of the marquee names that will play throughout ESPN’s 230 hours plus coverage of all 64 matches.
Lionel Messi, Argentina
The 22 year-old forward is the best player in the world and he certainly has some talented teammates to help Argentina win their third World Cup crown. If he can produce similar results for his national team that he does for his club team (Barcelona), look out.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
The man with a million moves can also score off thunderous free kicks and like Messi, has a deep group of teammates that, if they play to their talent levels, can win it all.
Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Mexico
Despite being 37 and not playing for his team in the last World Cup, the talented forward is capable of taking over a game no matter who is in goal.
Gianluigi Buffon, Italy
Speaking of goalies, a large reason for Italy winning it all in 2006, was its 32 year-old goalkeeper who was the foundation of a solid defense. If the Azzurri go far in South Africa it will likely be to the stinginess of Buffon.
Samuel Eto’o, Cameroon
Certainly one of the sport’s most exciting and prolific scorers, the 29 year-old forward (108 goals in 145 games for Barcelona in six seasons and who just won the Champions League with Inter), is super fast and accurate.
Wesley Sneijder, Netherlands
Fresh off the success of a Champions League crown, the slick Sneijder is leading a confident and determined Dutch squad that is loaded with weapons.
Wayne Rooney, England
Though there is some question about his injury recovery, there are none about his ability to both get goals and create them for teammates. Rooney, like Donovan and Eto’o, is a key to his national team’s fortunes.
Park Ji-sung, South Korea
The team’s best player and captain is a multi-talented midfielder that sets up his teammates well.
Fernando Torres, Spain
Like England’s Rooney, the 26 year-old is trying to return to form after suffering an injury. He is part of a strong offensive threat with Villa.
Luis Fabiano, Brazil
Unlike Cameroon’s artsy Eto’o and some of the acrobatic Brazilian strikers of the past, Fabiano scores without a lot of flash. It works for him and it works for Brazil as he has scored nine goals in 11 World Cup qualifiers.
Landon Donovan, United States
The most productive player in American soccer history, the midfielder really is the engine that drives the US squad. Look for him to come out and shine in the opening match against England. If the Brits rain on the Americans, it will likely be Donovan did not have a good game.
The sports network will carry 44 matches on ESPN, 10 on ESPN 2 and 10 on ABC.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/?cc=5901&ver=us
