Season 1

We take a look at the young Argentine star, Lionel Messi, dubbed the next Maradonna, and follow his career from club football to international stardom. At only 17, and before he played a single game for Barcelona, Messi debuted for Argentina in an under-20s friendly match against Paraguay. In 2005 he led Argentinas under 20s side to FIFAs Youth World Championship. The World Cup is known as the best competition the world has to offer. In 2006, the young star helped Argentina advance all the way to Round 16. With the 2010 World Cup approaching, can Lionel Messi lead his country to victory?

Born in Portugal and named after President Reagan, Cristiano 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. His career with the Red Devils was rocky, however, with the star having to win back the respect of the fans after some on-field incidents. He became the most expensive player in the history of the game when Real Madrid bought his services for a rumoured 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, and within the first day of signing with Real Madrid, his jersey sales broke all previous records. Yet his career has had its trials, with numerous club changes and a longstanding knee injury hampering further success.

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, which in turn generated a lot of interest from clubs such as FC Barcelona and Manchester United. Barcelona eventually won the bidding war, paying Ronaldinho 32.2 million Euro. He was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004. After five seasons, over 200 games and 95 goals for FC Barcelona, Ronaldinho was off to Italy, in 2008, to play for A.C Milan.

Winning of the FIFA Player of the Year award and part of Brazil's winning World Cup side in 2002, Kaka's clean image has made him a worthy role model for young fans. He was spotted during a tournament in Sao Paulo, Brazil at the age of eight by talent scouts and he joined the Sao Paulo junior team. At the age of 18 he mixed it with the seniors. Kaka's form in Brazil interested the big leagues of Europe and in 2003 the young star signed with AC Milan. He impressed that first year, ending with an average game score of 7.9, which has remained one of the highest game scores ever recorded in a players first season.

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 world's greatest clubs, he knows what it takes to make it as an elite footballer. He got his start in the world game without so much as a trial, as the Monaco scout was so impressed by his ball skills, he was recruited on the spot. He was transferred to Arsenal after a frustrating year with Italy. After a slow start, Henry's boot took the Gunners to the kind of glory they hadn't seen since the early 1990s, culminating in two EPA titles from 2001-2004.

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 games supreme forwards. Born in Liverpool in 1985, Wayne grew up in Croxton and supported local club Everton Football Club. Even at an early age, his commitment and talent were clear, impressing football scout Bob Pendleton. His career took off when he transferred to Manchester United in August 2004. He wore the captains armband for the first time in 2006, in a clash against FC Copenhagen. His habit for not only scoring goals but assisting his team mates 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 Sr., a talented footballer and coach. Frank Junior transferred to Chelsea and in 2004, his talent really began to blossom, helping his team to its first win of the league cup in fifty years. Lampard was the clubs highest goal scorer with 13 goals for the season. His international career began in 1997 when he made his debut against Greece with the Under 21s squad. Since then, despite being overlooked for the World Cup in 2002, he has figured in the 2006 World Cup, but an inability to score in big matches brought him under intense scrutiny from English fans.

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. After scoring 17 goals in 34 games in a local league, 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. Twenty-six million Euros was the transfer fee to take Drogba to Chelsea, and the chance to play in the English Premier League. But injury would delay his career yet again, and after returning to the side he found it difficult to regain form. However, he finished the season with sixteen goals from 40 games, a more than acceptable return for the clubs investment.

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. From an early age it was evident that he had what it took, and while still in high school, scored a staggering 79 goals in a single season, breaking his own record and making headlines in the process. His rise the top still continues to inspire the local children in his hometown of Chester, England. After eight successful years with Liverpool, he transferred to Real Madrid in 2004, but he struggled to shine in Spain, with so many stars in the team, including Beckham and Zidane.

The most recognized footballer on the planet has played for some of the worlds most famous clubs. The son of two fanatical Man U supporters, his talent was spotted at an early age, and although he dreamed of beginning his career at Old Trafford it was the Tottenham Spurs who first took an interest in the young superstar. Man U signed him as a trainee at age 16, and his dream of becoming a Red Devil finally realized. Between 1995 and 2003 the club had a run of success that has yet to be equalled in league history. But tensions between Beckham and coach Alex Ferguson were at boiling point, and Beckham signed with Spanish club Real Madrid, a move that would see more trouble in his personal life than on the field.

Six foot two in socks, Michael Ballack's impressive height makes him an imposing figure to rival teams. But its his team work and skill in the midfield that has charmed fans and coaches throughout his career. In 2002 he signed with German team Munchen Ev, helping take them to a flag his first year. The next year the club suffered a premiership hangover, and Michael had his worst return in three years just nine goals for the season. But both he and the club found top gear in 2004-05, winning the double for the second time in three seasons. The following year the talented midfielder sought greener pastures elsewhere, signing with English Premier League team Chelsea.

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. After winning the Dutch Player of the Year award for 31 goals in 34 matches, Van Nistelrooy was sighed to Manchester United in April 2001, following a fight-back from a debilitating knee injury. It didn't take long for him to settle into his new club, scoring 23 goals in his first season. In 2006 he left the famous club to join Real Madrid, amid rumours of personality clashes with both manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.

Pele is a name recognized throughout the world, not only by fanatical football fans, but also those with a passing interest in the game. A national hero in his native Brazil, he earned the nickname the king because of his amazing exploits on the field. Before he grew to prominence on the field, he lived in poverty in San Paolo, and worked in tea shops to earn money to help his family. His talent was noticed early on, and he made his debut for Santos at the age of 15. His most prolific year came in 1958 with a staggering 66 goals to his name. There was no shortage of clubs eager to sign the young star, but in the end Pele stayed loyal to his first team Santos. However, he was lured out of retirement to join the US team Cosmos, not only because of the paycheck, but a desire to learn the English language.

Though his transfer from Barcelona FC to Real Madrid was considered one of the most controversial decisions of recent history, Louis Figo has taken things in his stride, refusing to get caught up in the hype. He started his club career at Barcelona in 1995, and played a crucial role in the clubs run of success between 1996 and 1999, including the Spanish Super Cup and EUAFA Super Cup. Then after appearing 249 times and scoring 47 for Barcelona, he left the club via a transfer that shook the Spanish league to its foundations.

His legacy lives in the saying Maradona, good Pele, better George Best. Known mainly for his eleven year with the most famous club in the world - Manchester United - Best played for over 15 clubs in his 21 year career. The Irish midfielder earned his reputation as one of the stars of the game, as much for his rock n roll lifestyle and good looks as for his speed, ball-handling and prolific goal-scoring. Unfortunately, an addiction to alcohol would inevitably be his undoing, first causing a decline in his career, and finally resulting in his death.

Sir Robert Bobby Charlton is one of the most esteemed and respected footballers of all time. As a midfielder he was feared by opponents for his attacking instincts, and dangerous long-line shots. Playing for Manchester United he found himself considered a veteran at the age of just 20 after the Munich air disaster in 1958, which decimated the club when eight of its players were killed. New coach Matt Busby would rebuild the team in the next decade, and Busby's Babes, George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton, became fan favorites and an inspiration to the team.

The football worlds most famous club has been steered since 1986 by the talented and capable Sir Alex Ferguson. The second longest running coach of Manchester United, Ferguson wasn't the popular choice to take over the reins from a succession of less successful leaders, but he soon changed minds, and brought to the club a host of new talent including Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantana and perhaps the most famous footballer in Britain David Beckham.

Franz Beckenbaur is regarded is one of the greatest footballers to have ever come out of Germany. Renown as the player who reinvented the position of sweeper, the superstar played for his country on 103 occasions, and is also the only player to have captained his country to three European cups. In a career that spanned more than two decades, he is recognized as one of the most influential players of the world game. He was also among the great thinkers of the game, his tactics revolutionizing the way a central defender or sweeper, is played.

French footballer Fabian Barthez built a strong reputation over a long and successful career. Despite his father wanting him to play rugby, Barthez knew where his heart and talent lay, and instead joined Toulouse FC. After some time with French clubs in the minor leagues, he transferred to Manchester United for a fee of 7.8 million pounds such was his flair as goalkeeper. The Man U fans held great hopes for the new recruit, and he repaid their faith with a hugely successful first year, quickly becoming a crowd favorite. As far as playing for his country went, Barthez helped France to their first World Cup in 1998.

Samuel Etoo is one of Africa's most exciting football exports. Scoring more than 100 goals in five seasons with FC Barcelona, he was also part of the squad that won the 2000 Olympic tournament. He currently plays for Italian club De Nationale. A long way from his humble beginnings in Cameroon, indeed! He has participated in two World Cups and five African Nations Cups, winning two and remains Africa's most decorated and revered player.

The courage and poise of the Manchester forward have earned him accolades from the games greats, such as Diego Maradona. He has enjoyed great success at both club and international level, earning an impressive tally of individual honors along the way. Nicknamed The Apache for the Argentine neighborhood where he grew up, Carlos Tevez was born into a poor area, but his talent on the football field has given him a ticket to fame and wealth that will ensure he never again lives in poverty.

The royal title of King Kahn was fitting for the formidable stature of Oliver Kahn, the German goalkeeper who finished a distinguished career when he retired in 2008. He made his professional debut in 1987, and it wasn't long before he established himself as a quality keeper, possessing an uncanny ability to save penalty kicks, and his imposing frame and style of play intimidated opposing forwards. By the end of the 9898 season, he was considered the best goalkeeper in the Bundersleague.

Football fame and glory must have seemed a world away for Brazilian Rivaldo, who was born into extreme poverty in his hometown of Paulista. His natural talent led to his being signed with his local club, but the officials there thought his poor health (due to malnutrition) would hold him back from the type of career his talent promised. After years of being shuffled from club to club, Rivaldo settled in at FC Barcelona in 1997, where he spent five years building a solid name and reputation ensuring he would never again want for the essentials in life.