Position: Forward
Born: 27.09.76
Club: Roma

Francesco Totti, a fantastically gifted but mercurial footballer, made his Serie A debut for Roma at the age of just 16 against Brescia.

Like many of the current Italy squad he was part of Cesare Maldini's Under-21 side that won the European Championship in 1996.

While undoubtedly one of the game's great talents, Totti has often disappointed on the global stage, and was sent off in Italy's sensational defeat against co-hosts South Korea in 2002.

But his worst moment came at Euro 2004 in Portugal, where he was sent off for spitting at Christian Poulsen in Italy's first game against Denmark, and the subsequent three-game ban meant he didn't play in the tournament again as the Azzurri crashed out in the group stages.

Totti has also frequently found himself competing with Alessandro Del Piero for one place in the side, behind a more conventional striker.

Despite this, his ability to score crucial goals from the hole just behind the strikers, or indeed as an out-and-out frontman himself - and his devastating ability from free-kicks - means Totti could finally make his mark at a major tournament for the right reasons in Germany.

Such is his talent, Totti has often been linked with a move to Real Madrid but it appears unlikely he'd leave his beloved Roma.

His World Cup place looked to be in doubt when he broke his leg in mid-season, but he proved his fitness with Roma to win his ticket.

• Christian Vieri
• 19 Gianluca Zambrotta