As the curtains draw on the first round… yes we have seen some heartbreaks and some joys..  But over all a lot of surprises…  Some crazy surprises..

Frank Lampard

The way the cup is shaping up…. I think we are in for even more surprises…. But the ones I am awaiting are the magical moments that would come… and would ensure that we get the best of the best… from the creative forwards and solid defenders… or the mid field kings…  yes there is plenty to come… watch out for these teams as they remain my favorites for they have one of them to become the ‘Golden Boots’ for the cup..

One reason for this world cup not being so rich is the absence of big name ‘Mid-fielders’…. Last edition of FIFA 2006 we had so many… if you all remember Zidane for France, Beckham for England, Fuigo for Portugal, Kaka and Ronaldhino for Brazil, Tito for Italy, Ballack for Germany and so on… the mid-field Kings decided which side will make the last eight and then the last four. Well we have a few of those this time around as well.. To start with …

10- Frank Lampard -- England

One of the finest goal scoring mid-fielders, Lampard can set the pieces for his forwards Rooney and others. I know many think its Rooney who may win it for England… with England not doing so well till now, I still feel if it was Beckham who could do it from the mid…. It will have to be Lampard to do the job this episode.

9- DeRossi – Italy

DeRossi

Italy more than any other team has relied on the strength of defense and mid-filed.. so much so that they went on to win the cup in 2006. It’s often said that playing Italy, opponents must score first. If you let Italy score one, it’s impossible to go pass their field and their defense. De Rossi is the one that can provide what Italy has always been about.

8- Kaka -- Brazil

Firmly established as one of the finest in the world, Capacity to pass the defenses of any top football powerhouse, Kaka is the make or break for Brazilian campaign. Take a look at this clip to imagine the power, speed and skill that can rattle someone like Argentina..

Diego Forlan

7- Diego Forlan- Uruguay

We are already in the know of what this powerhouse can do. At the peak of his career, Forlan has an opportunity to prove himself and his country. Uruguay may have surprised many but not me. I have always seen them as formidable South American power often overshadowed by the big guns Argentina and Brazil. If he strikes more than few times.. Count Uruguay in the last four and may be more.

Javier Mascherano

6- Javier Mascherano – Argentina

Argentina hot favorites to win the cup for the simple reason that the number of quality players they have is only matched up by England (who to me always choke at the big stage as a team). Yes Argentina rests high on Messi, but then there is Tevez and Veron and so many others. Their captain Mascherano, who is also the youngest player to captain Argentina at age of 26 holds the key from mid-field.

5- Fernando Torres – Spain

Spain is reining European champs and one of the favorites to win the cup (read make it to the last four as beyond that I believe it’s always any ones’ to win). They won the Euro on the power of this fellow, and he better start now or the Spanish train would be derailed. Spain has the players to make it through but somehow it seems they are not for the biggest stage. Can Torres prove us all wrong and take this one away from the Germans, Brazilians and Argentineans.. let’s sit and watch.

4 -- Robinho-Brazil

Regarded by many as the new Pele… if I am to pick anyone other than my top Pick that would be Robinho… I still remember he wasn’t played enough by the Brazilian Coach in  2006 finals or as I thought the results would have been different. Class… dance-ability… genius… watch out world, Robinho can take it all the way.

3- Miroslav Klose- Germany

Germany remains a hot favorite to make it to last four (my list of top four as well) especially after the way they started the cup. Truly professional, star German forward Klose came close so many times in past to winning the Golden Boots including the FIFA 2002 and 2006 and the 2008 Euro reach time him missing out along with him his country missing out to win the top positions. Klose to me has the best ability to position himself t the right place within the circle to provide that final touch into the net. And oh yes do not forget those incredible headers that he use to score 70% of his goals and his trademark summersaults after scoring.

2- Christiano Ronaldo- Portugal

Cristiana Ronaldo turns the beautiful game into child’s play. Portugal has one hope… and that’s him. The most widely photographed, and modeled start in post Beckham era, Christiano has bestest possession on the ball. As the FIFA tributes him.. “such is his artistry that, almost magnetically, the ball returns to his feet time and time again, ready for the next touch of genius.

As Brazil’s legendary FIFA World Cup-winning midfielder Didi once said: “If we don’t treat the ball with love, she won’t do what we want her to do.” If he gets going Portugal would surely make it to the quarter finals beyond that he would need the mid-field Pepe and Deco to come through for the rest and seal the deal.

1-Lionel Messi- Argentina

Before the 2010 FIFA started many a pundits said, why even play the cup just give it to Messi to take home. Such is the aura of unarguably the best footballer of his time we call Messi. To many he is the second coming of Maradona. Now under coaching of his legendary inspiration Messi is all out to repeat what the master did 24years back in 1986. Genius like Maradona, opportunist like Cannigia, Powerful like Baggio and skilled like Ronaldo, there is the whole package. I leave you with top ten goals video of Messi himself. I say more power the power of class, style… skills and the Golden Boots!