Looking for a Hero

Gianluigi Buffon. Considered the sport's best goalkeeper, Buffon had a masterly 453-minute scoreless streak that was crucial in securing Italy its fourth World Cup in 2006. A member of Juventus Turin—Italy's most successful club—he's one of the few leading stars who actually play in their own country.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Though he didn't enter the game until the 51st minute, the top-scoring Swedish striker scored both goals to power Inter Milan to its third consecutive Italian championship on May 18. At 195 centimeters tall, he's one of Europe's biggest shooting stars.

Miroslav Klose. The top scorer in the 2006 World Cup and a driving force behind Bayern Munich's record 21st Bundesliga title this year, he's no doubt looking for a repeat of his World Cup performance.

Andrea Pirlo. One of the game's great tacticians, this midfielder for AC Milan has a brilliant eye for surprising runs and passes. And he's just one of a stable of stars who should take Italy far.

Franck Rib é ry. The Frenchman helped power Bayern Munich to its Bundesliga title this year and was just voted the league's most valuable player by the readers of Germany's leading football magazine, Kicker. Returning to play for France, this midfielder is fast, tricky and a nightmare for any defender.

Cristiano Ronaldo. Playing for his home country, Portugal, Man U's top striker will get a chance to redeem his uncharacteristically weak performance against Chelsea at the Champions League final last month. Look for him to push tiny Portugal deep into the competition, as he did in the 2006 World Cup, when the Portuguese finished fourth.