Football: the beautiful game!
It's often called 'the beautiful game' - probably because of the skill and talent involved in its playing.
Even if you don't know a midfielder from a forward, the 2006 World Cup was a unique chance to admire some of the most stunning sportsmen the world has to offer. To facilitate the rigorous and exhausting task of scrutinizing the 32 teams taking part, we present the 15 most beautiful men of the 2006 World Cup.
The sexiest team accolade must go to the searingly intense Italians, who boast four entries on our list.
1. Fabio Cannavaro
Date of birth: 13 Sept 1973 Height: 175 cm Weight: 72 kg Position: Defender
Current Club: Juventus (ITA)
Gasp! Possibly the most beautiful man in football today, 's skipper and the most capped player among the current Italian squad, Fabio Cannavaro is a stalwart of the Azzurri side. What he lacks in height, he makes up for with great anticipation, aggression and power - and of course a stunning body, complete with a face Michelangelo would have killed to sculpt.
2. David Beckham
Date of birth: 2 May 1975 Height: 182 cm Weight: 74 kg Position: Midfielder
Current Club: Real
What more can be said about David Beckham. He's undeniably one of the world's most gorgeous men; a feature that's often overshadowed his sporting prowess. More than anything, however, Beckham is a dedicated professional, who takes immense pride in his role as captain. His talent with a football was evident from an early age, and it has earned him unprecedented fame and wealth.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
Date of birth: 5 Feb 1985 Height: 184 cm Weight: 75 kg Position: Forward
Current Club:
You don't get much hotter than Cristiano Ronaldo Santos Aveiro. This 21 year old is one of the sexiest young talents in world football. With his surging runs and dazzling skills performed at blistering pace, comparisons with his Brazilian namesake have been inevitable. Born on the
4. Andriy Shevchenko
Date of birth: 29 Sept 1976 Height: 183 cm Weight: 73 kg Position: Forward
Current Club: AC Milan (ITA)
Andriy Shevchenko has faced the seemingly impossible task of hauling his country along the path to practically single-handed. Top scorer for his team and one of the most prolific in the European zone, the Ukrainian ace justified the faith of a nation every time he turned out. This 30 year old is a stunning looker, quite happy to model in front of the camera wearing very little indeed. This makes us very happy and should be encouraged.
5. Kaka
Date of birth: 22 April 1982 Height: 183 cm Weight: 73 kg Position: Midfielder
Current Club: AC Milan (ITA)
He may be burdened with one of the most unfortunate and unusual names in the sport, but few would argue with Kaka's Brazilian sex appeal which has also made him a star off the field. This focused and aggressive attacking midfielder boasts good ball skills and stamina, and can move into a striking role when required. Hmm, we'll take two thanks! Hold the mayo!
6. Dejan Stankovic
Date of birth: 11 Sept 1978 Height: 181 cm Weight: 75 kg Position: Midfielder
Current Club: Inter (ITA)
You may not quite know where exactly and is, but Dejan Stankovic's good looks will inspire you to visit. This cheeky midfielder has versatility and the ability to perform wherever he is needed. He is technically-gifted and an instinctive finisher, with an excellent sense of positioning and he has recently managed to bring his hair-trigger temper under control (ooh).
7. Landon Donovan
Date of birth: 4 March 1982 Height: 173 cm Weight: 67 kg Position: Midfielder
Current Club:
We could think of no better man tasked with popularizing soccer in the than the very desirable Landon Donovan. Blessed with an ability to press forward and get goals, he's described as the most talented and technically gifted American player of his generation. This 24 year old, three-time American Footballer of the Year, is a player worth watching on and off the soccer field.
8. Luiz Figo
Date of birth: 4 Nov 1972 Height: 180 cm Weight: 75 kg Position: Forward
Current Club: Inter (ITA)
Hello daddy! Born in the working-class neighborhood of Almada in
9. Nelson Haedo Valdez
Date of birth: 28 Nov 1983 Height: 178 cm Weight: 71 kg Position: Forward
Current Club: Werder
The spunky looking
10. Michael Ballack
Date of birth: 26 Sept 1976 Height: 189 cm Weight: 80 kg Position: Midfielder
Current Club: Bayern Munich (GER)
Michael Ballack, the 30 year old midfield maestro of Bayern Munich, is one of the few German players that the experts unanimously believe to be 'world class'. 's hopes rest largely on his shoulders if they are to win the 2006 FIFA World Cup, with the Chemnitz-born star coming under extreme scrutiny every time he takes to the field. Watch out for those killer blue eyes; they'll break your heart in two.
11. Kelvin Jack - Trinidad and
Date of birth: 29 April 1976 Height: 193 cm Weight: 91 kg Position: Goalkeeper
Current Club:
Tall, dark and very striking, Kelvin Jack's save from 's Talal Yusuf in the final moments of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Asia/CONCACAF play-off helped send to. After his senior international debut in 1999, he appeared in 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and also played in the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup. This thirty year old's got the look of a man of action. We like.
12. Gianluigi Buffon
Date of birth: 28 January 1978 Height: 190 cm Weight: 83 kg Position: Goalkeeper
Current Club: Juventus (ITA)
Boasting a searing Italian sensuality, Gianluigi Buffon was born into a sporting family; his mother was an Italian shot put and discus champion. The goalkeeper made his Serie A debut at the age of 17 years and was first-choice goalkeeper at
13. Luca Toni
Date of birth: 26 May 1977 Height: 194 cm Weight: 89 kg Position: Forward
Current Club: Fiorentina (ITA)
After nine seasons on 's footballing periphery, the sultry Luca Toni has rocketed to the centre of attention with great goalscoring form. Tall, with great control on the ball and excellent finishing skills (ahem...), Toni has become 's number one striker in Serie A and the national team. We bet he's pretty much number one at whatever he does.
14. Alessandro Del Piero
Date of birth: 9 Nov 1974 Height: 173 cm Weight: 73 kg Position: Forward
Current Club: Juventus (ITA)
When the young Alessandro Del Piero joined Juventus, he was a physically slight man; he had to work hard to build muscle strength and speed. A combination of these new found attributes, outstanding technique and an eye for goal, soon earned him the nickname Pinturicchio - after the renaissance painter. Actually, we think he'd be much better suited as a painter's subject.
15. Michael Owen
Date of birth: 14 Dec 1979 Height: 172 cm Weight: 67 kg Position: Forward
Current Club:
Michael Owen was just 18 when he etched his name on to the minds of football fans around the world with one of the goals of the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He became an instant global soccer star. At thirty his wholesome boy next door good looks remain a football fantasy come to life.