Soccer Heroes Series: Greatest Footballers of All Time

At only 17, and before he played a single game for Barcelona, The Argentine star Lionel Messi debuted for Argentina in an under-20ʼs friendly match against Paraguay. In 2005 he led Argentina's under 20ʼs side to FIFAʼs Youth World Championship. In 2006, the young star helped Argentina advance all the way to Round 16 of the World Cup. In 2010 it was the quarterfinals. What next?

Born in Portugal and named after President Reagan, Ronaldo started showing glimpses of his talent at just three years of age. Thirteen years later, Manchester United paid a transfer fee of 22.2 million Euros to bring him to the worlds most famous club. He became the most expensive player in the history of the game when Real Madrid bought his services for a rumored 13 million Euros per year.

Not to be confused with the young Portuguese star Christiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo Luis Mizzario Delemar, or simply Ronaldo, has wowed the football world with his superb ball control, mercurial finishing skills and winning smile for over a decade. The Brazilian is a true icon of the game, winning FIFA World Player of the Year on three occasions.

Ronaldinho, the Brazilian soccer star, developed his talent playing Futsal, the indoor version of the world game. The young midfielder went on to play for Paris St Jerome in 1998 and followed that up with a blistering performance in the FIFA World Cup. Perhaps his crowning achievement, he was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004.

Winner of the FIFA Player of the Year award and part of Brazilʼs winning World Cup side in 2002, Kakaʼs clean image has made him a worthy role model for young fans. He was spotted at the age of eight by talent scouts and he joined the Sao Paulo junior team. From there it was a meteoric rise to the top.

Thierry Henry has a playing record that would turn any footballer green with envy. With a FIFA World Cup, European Championship and UAFA Cup under his belt, as well as kicking hundreds of goals and playing for some of the worlds greatest clubs, he knows what it takes to make it as an elite footballer.

It's a name that strikes fear into the heart of any defender he faces. Wayne Rooney has earned his reputation as one of the game's supreme forwards playing for Manchester United. His habit for not only scoring goals but also assisting his teammates in scoring goals, shows a maturity and a sportsmanship beyond his years.

Frank James Lampard fought the weight of expectation before he'd even played a game of football, due to his father Frank senior, a talented footballer and coach. Frank Junior transferred to Chelsea and in 2004, helping his team to its first win of the league cup in fifty years. Lampard was the club's highest goal scorer with 13 goals for the season.

Didya Drogba faced the kind of childhood challenges that few of us can relate to, but that didn't stop him from developing his football skills with the help of his uncle. He caught the eye of a scout from Marseilles and joined the team in 2003. From there, the sky should have been the limit, if it weren't for a leg injury before the UEFA Cup. Injuries continue to plague him to this day.

Currently playing for EPL club Manchester United, Michael Owen has been scoring goals on a regular basis for a decade. His sharp pace and deadly strikes have seen him mix it with some of the best footballers on the planet.

Beckham is the most recognized footballer on the planet. Man U signed him as a trainee at age 16, and his dream of becoming a Red Devil was finally realized. Between 1995 and 2003 the club had a run of success that has yet to be equaled in league history. But tensions between Beckham and coach Alex Ferguson were at boiling point, and Beckham signed with Spanish club Real Madrid.

Six foot two in socks, Michael Ballackʼs impressive height makes him an imposing figure to rival teams. But itʼs his teamwork and skill in the midfield that has charmed fans and coaches throughout his career.

Dutch footballer Rood Van Nistelrooy has played for five top sides in his career, but surprisingly, has only ever competed in the World Cup once. His skill as a striker has seen him play for such celebrated clubs as Manchester United, and Real Madrid.