Position: Forward
Born: 05.07.75
Club: Chelsea

Hernan Crespo has become Argentina's most feared frontman since the retirement of the great Gabriel Batistuta after the last World Cup.

Recognised as one of world's top marksmen in domestic, European and international competition, the Chelsea striker will be looking to spearhead his nation's hopes.

Crespo started his career in 1994 with River Plate, where he won the Argentinian League and Copa Libertadores, but it was his glittering career in Italy's Serie A which earned him his reputation as a world-class striker.

As a 21-year-old he was signed by Parma for £2.6million in 1996 and after scoring 74 goals in four seasons, which brought him Italian and UEFA Cup winners' medals, he was sold on to Lazio for a then-world record £36million.

Crespo was Serie A's top scorer with 26 goals in 32 games in his first year with Lazio but his second season was ruined through injury.

He then moved to Internazionale but his goalscoring form was yet again halted with a three-month visit to the treatment table.

Quickly back in the routine on his return though, his record in Serie A stands up to the closest of scrutiny.

Crespo became a Chelsea player in the summer of 2003 when he penned a four-year deal, costing the big-spending London club £16.8million.

But after a largely disappointing first season he returned to Italy for a season-long loan with AC Milan - with whom he reached the Champions League final - before returning to Stamford Bridge last summer.

He averages a goal every two games in international football but Argentina's disappointing showing at the last World Cup will surely fuel his hunger for success this time round.

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