The #9 is synonymous with great goal scorers (like less-fat Ronaldo above). So, to start our World Cup Preview in full gear, here are 9 #9's to watch in South Africa with 9 days to go until the greatest sporting event in the world kicks off! Each day we'll preview a new aspect of the tournament as we count down to June 11 and South Africa vs Mexico. For now, who's going to have us shouting GOLASO?9) Jozy Altidore - USA
-The powerful American striker will have to lead the line for the US as they seek to get out of Group C and progress far into the knockout rounds. Altidore moved to Europe a couple years ago, but has failed to impress as he bounced from Spain to England. This year he only scored 2 goals for Hull City. But, he's played better with his national team scoring a memorable goal against Spain and playing well in the Confederations Cup. He'll need to take his game to another level to equal that success this year.
8) Luis Fabiano - Brazil
-Fabiano isn't quite a world sensation like his predecessor at #9 for Brazil - Ronaldo. With the big names like Ronaldo, Adriano, and Ronaldinho out of the way, this tournament is Fabiano's up front for Brazil. While this Brazil team isn't the classic Samba version that we've seen in year's past, Fabiano defines the new Brazil - physical, tough, and lethal. Fabiano's numbers don't blow you away, but he has scored goals for Sevilla consistently and has a great team around him for the WC. Will he be able to be the next in line for Brazilian strikers to win the World Cup?
7) Diego Forlan - Uruguay
-Forlan might be the most underrated striker in European club football and an under the radar striker likely to do damage in South Africa. For Atletico Madrid, he has scored 63 goals in the past 2 seasons and practically won AM the Europa League title by himself. Forlan scored 5 of Atletico's 6 goals from the QF on, including both goals against Liverpool in the semis, and both against Fulham in the final. Playing with Uruguay in Group A, Forlan might be good enough to carry the inaugural champs past Mexico and South Africa and into the knockout rounds.
6) Samuel Eto'o - Cameroon
-The Cameroonian striker has put himself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons lately. First, he's threatened to quit the World Cup after being criticized by former standout Roger Milla... then he got red carded in a friendly against Portugal. With the Inter Milan star acting up, it's a wonder which Samuel Eto'o will show up in South Africa, if he does at all. As the country's captain and best player, one has to think that he will get his head screwed on straight for the biggest tournament in the history of the continent. Cameroon has a good chance to cause some upsets if Eto'o has his mind right.
5) Fernando Torres - Spain
-El Nino is simply a brilliant player. He was the star of Euro 2008, scoring Spain's winning goal in the final. He has starred for Liverpool the last three seasons scoring 63 goals in that time in only 96 games! That's a stunning strikerate, and Torres has proved he is one of the world's top notch players... when he's healthy. And that's the question mark for Torres and Spain heading into the WC as he's battling a knee injury and might not be available for the opener. As a Liverpool fan, I'm pulling for Torres to finally get healthy and have a great tournament, but I'm crossing my fingers first.
4) Didier Drogba - Ivory Coast
-Finally, the real Didier Drogba has returned. The Ivorian only scored 14 goals in each of the past 2 seasons before the 09/10 campaign for Chelsea. This came after a breakout 06/07 season when he scored 33 goals for Chelsea in all competitions. Coincidentally, Chelsea came back to the top of the EPL this year as Drogba returned to his best. He scored 39 goals for Chelsea this year in all competitions, including 29 in 31 EPL games to win the league's golden boot and a goal in the FA Cup Final win. With Drogba playing at his best, this could be the year Ivory Coast breaks through past the group stage ceiling.
3) Diego Milito - Argentina
-Milito is the new kid on the block as far as the world's best strikers go. He was a revelation for Inter Milan this season after coming over from Genoa. The 30 year old scored a goal in the Coppa Italia Final, Inter's Serie A clinching game, and finished off the year by scoring two oustanding goals in the Champions League Final. Here's the thing though... Milito has never scored a goal for Argentina, and with Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez, and that Messi guy... Milito might not see the field too much in South Africa. If Diego Maradona is smart, he will feature Milito at the front for Argentina considering the year he has had. That's a big if...
2) Wayne Rooney - England
-Rooooooooooooooooney is the man that the English cling to as their hope that this could be the year that the World Cup Trophy returns home. Rooney was the best player in the EPL this season at Man Utd. before battling injuries himself. He scored 40 goals this season, including 6 for England in friendlies and WC qualifying. Rooney will stand out as the hardest working player on the field and is a deadly finisher around goal. While Rooney had done so well this season, it may be up to England's supporting cast to lift him up and provide him with enough chances to get goals. At least there won't be much pressure to succeed from English fans.
1) Lionel Messi - Argentina
-Although he isn't the prototypical or traditional striker, all eyes will be on Messi in this year's World Cup. As the undisputed world's best player, fans all over the world will watch to see if this will be his breakout tournament ala Pele in '58 or Maradona in '86. Messi scored 49 goals across the board in the 09/10 season including over 1 a game in La Liga (34 G in 30 Games). However, he's only scored 13 career goals for Argentina. Messi needs to make this year's World Cup his own to transform his career from best in the world to the best of all-time discussion. He has all the ability in the world to do so... but wouldn't it be ironic if it was his coach, the great Maradona, that held him back. It might be up to Messi to overcome the questions surrounding Argentina himself.
We'll be back tomorrow with our 8 Group Previews as we tell you who will make it into the knockout round with 8 Days Till The World Cup. Bye for now...
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