The hard player: Tim Cahill
Born on 6 December 1979 in Sydney, Timothy Filiga Cahill built the core of his European reputation at Goodison Park. Before making his name at Everton (278 appearances, 68 goals), he had already clocked up 249 matches and 56 goals in Millwall colours. Old-school dedication, in the service of unglamorous clubs, but with a clinical edge at both ends of the pitch.
On the international stage, Tim Cahill made history on 12 June 2006 by scoring Australia’s first-ever World Cup goal, against Japan. He went on to become the Socceroos’ all-time top scorer and their second most-capped player. His career then took him to MLS (New York Red Bulls, 72 matches, 16 goals), China (Shanghai Shenhua, 34 matches, 12 goals) and back home to Australia (Melbourne City, 34 matches, 13 goals), before hanging up his boots in 2019 after 21 years as a professional.
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PlayThe medium player: Nicolas Anelka
Born on 14 March 1979 in Le Chesnay, Nicolas Anelka was one of those talents who generated as much noise off the pitch as on it. Hailed as one of the great hopes of French football in his early days, he came through Paris Saint-Germain before signing for Arsenal, then embarked on a club-hopping career that took him to Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Bolton and Juventus. Chelsea stands as his most enduring home with 184 appearances and 59 goals.
With the French national team, he earned 69 caps and scored 14 goals, winning Euro 2000 and the 2001 Confederations Cup. But the 2010 World Cup left a permanent stain on his international legacy: he was at the centre of the controversy that caused lasting damage to the image of Les Bleus. He later moved into coaching, briefly serving as player-manager at Shanghai Shenhua in 2012, before taking on advisory and assistant roles including a stint at LOSC Lille in 2018. He was also sporting director at Hyères FC from February to May 2021.
The easy player: Ronaldo
Born on 22 September 1976 in Bento Ribeiro, a neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro, Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima began his professional career in Brazil at Cruzeiro before crossing the Atlantic to join PSV Eindhoven. Nicknamed Il Fenomeno in Italy and Ronaldinho in Brazil, the striker spent just two seasons in the Netherlands before Barcelona secured his signature for a single season – already enough to leave a lasting impression. Inter Milan then snapped him up in a record transfer, where he spent five seasons in Serie A before joining the Real Madrid “Galácticos” for 42 million euros after the 2002 World Cup.
At Real Madrid, he made 177 appearances and scored 104 goals – his most prolific spell at any club. On the international stage, the numbers are equally staggering: 62 goals in 98 caps for Brazil, two World Cup titles (1994 and 2002), and the Golden Boot at the 2002 World Cup with eight goals including a brace in the final. He also claimed two Ballon d’Or awards (1997 and 2002) and four FIFA Player of the Year titles (1996, 1997, 2002). After a stint at AC Milan and a return home with Corinthians (69 matches, 35 goals), he announced his retirement on 14 February 2011.