The hard player: Gervinho
Gervinho was born on 27 May 1987 in Anyama, Ivory Coast. A quick and unpredictable winger, he began his journey in Belgium with KSK Beveren, scoring 16 goals in 66 matches. France was next: first at Le Mans UC 72 with 13 goals in 67 matches, then at LOSC Lille where he truly flourished with 36 goals in 92 matches, establishing himself as one of Ligue 1’s most dangerous wide players.
Italy then beckoned and he made his mark in Serie A with two clubs: AS Roma, where he scored 26 goals in 88 matches, and then Parma Calcio with 25 goals in 89 matches. A nomadic career spanning four countries and as many leagues, driven by pace and technique that tested Europe’s finest defences. At international level, he took part in the Olympic Games with the Ivory Coast Olympic team, scoring 1 goal in 4 matches.
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PlayThe medium player: Deco
Deco was born on 27 August 1977 in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, but it is under the colours of Portugal that he would build his legacy. An attacking and box-to-box midfielder, he began his European career at FC Alverca – 13 goals in 32 matches – before joining FC Porto, where he truly exploded onto the scene: 48 goals in 229 matches at a club in the midst of European conquest.
FC Barcelona then opened their doors and Deco contributed 20 goals in 161 matches in Catalonia. Chelsea FC had a go, but his London spell was more subdued: 6 goals in 58 matches. He brought down the curtain on his career at Fluminense FC, returning to Brazilian football with 7 goals in 91 matches. With Portugal, he played 75 matches and scored 5 goals, wearing the Seleção das Quinas jersey for close to a decade.
The easy player: Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres was born on 20 March 1984 in Fuenlabrada, Spain. A pure centre-forward, he made his name at Atlético de Madrid, his boyhood club, where he scored 91 goals in 244 appearances and became the idol of an entire city. Liverpool then signed him and Torres found a second home on Merseyside: 81 goals in 142 matches, a lethal efficiency that rattled Premier League defences.
Chelsea FC then came calling, and Torres added 45 goals in 172 matches in London, before returning to Atlético for 10 goals in 43 matches. He wrapped up his career with a stint in Japan at Sagan Tosu, scoring 4 goals in 31 matches. With Spain, Torres racked up 38 goals in 110 appearances, figures that speak volumes about his importance to La Roja.