Position: Midfielder
Born: 30.04.79
Club: Cruz Azul

Gerardo Torrado will provide a tough midfield battle for Mexico's opponents this summer as his hard-tackling approach and steely determination plays a crucial part in the Tricolor's stubborn backbone.

Despite the 25-year-old's prominent attributes of strength and sheer grit, he is also able to get forward in support of attacks and possesses a powerful shot from distance which can test any goalkeeper.

Torrado has valuable World Cup experience from 2002 where he scored the winning goal in his nation's 2-1 victory over Ecuador but having been well established on the international scene since then, he played little part in the first half of Mexico's World Cup qualifying campaign.

But the 2005 Confederations Cup sparked his return to the Tricolor fold and his tenacious performances contributed to Mexico's heroic run to the semi-finals and he is now a mainstay in the national side.

Torrado started his professional career with Mexican side UNAM Pumas in 1996 before moving to join Spanish side Tenerife, who he helped win promotion in his first season, in 2002.

Following a brief spell at Ejido, he eventually made his breakthrough in Spain by signing for Seville but after three campaigns there he became surplus to requirements and in January 2005 was snapped up by Racing Santander where he had a significant role in steering the club away from relegation.

But after a relatively successful stint in La Liga, the Mexican returned home and signed for Cruz Azul in the summer of 2005 knowing that guaranteed first-team football there will cement his place in his country's squad for Germany.