2006 World Cup Fantasy Player Rankings
June 03, 2006
By
James Butler
June 3, 2006
By James Butler
It's fantasy football time once again... or fútbol - depending on your pronunciation, and with the World Cup championship to be determined in Germany June 9 - July 9, here is a look at player rankings by position to assist with all the fantasy World Cup games currently springing up.
FORWARD
Thierry Henry (FRA) - The early favorite to take the Golden Shoe Award (the player scoring the most goals in the tournament), Henry was the runner up for the FIFA World Player of the Year Award in both 2003 and 2004. After honing his finishing ability with Arsenal of the English Premier League, becoming their all-time goal scorer, Henry is a must have in any scoring format.
Ronaldo (BRA) - Currently tied with countryman Pelé for third on the all-time World Cup scoring list with 12, Ronaldo needs only two tallies to reach Gerd Müller's (GER) all-time career Cup record of 14. Ronaldo received the Golden Ball Award as tournament most valuable player in 1998, as well as the Golden Shoe in 2002, scoring 8 times in that tournament. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever, only advanced age and continual public bickering with his country's media seem to be slowing 'The Phenomenon.'
Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) - At only 21 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo frequently draws comparisons to Ronaldo for his dazzling individual skills. Applying great pressure to defenses and relentlessly attacking on the offensive end, the Manchester United star is a solid play to fill up your stat sheet.
Ruud Van Nistelrooij (NED) - A fantastic finisher, Van Nistelrooij is rapidly approaching his 30th birthday. He is new, however, to the World Cup stage following a disastrous 2002 campaign in which the Netherlands failed to qualify for the tournament. A dark horse Golden Shoe candidate.
Andriy Shevchenko (UKR) - Like Van Nistelrooij, the 30 year-old Shevchenko is another outstanding striker who is a Cup newcomer. Remarkably consistent, Shevchenko has averaged nearly a goal every other game throughout his career.
Adriano (BRA) - The next generation of Brazilian superstar is Adriano, the heir-apparent to Ronaldo. Adriano would, of course, be higher on this list were it not for his teammate taking touches and shots, but therein also lies the reason (along with midfield wizard Ronaldhino) the Brazilians are favored to bring home their sixth Cup championship and third of the last four tournaments.
Hernan Crespo (ARG) - This is the chance for Crespo to shine for the Argentinians after years toiling behind Gabriel Batistuta as the second option in the offense. He should enjoy the opportunity while he can, as he is already being pushed to hand the reins to Lionel Messi.
Lionel Messi (ARG) - Only 18 years old entering the tournament, Messi is one of the most heralded youngsters in the tournament. It is very possible that this Cup could become his launching pad into superstardom. Messi is the early favorite for the Gillette Young Player (21 and under) Award.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (SWE) - Playing for Juventus of the Italian League, Ibrahimovic has earned a reputation as one of the top goal scorers in the world. He finished eighth in 2005 in FIFA world player of the year voting.
Didier Drogba (CIV) - Easily the greatest player in the history of the Ivory Coast, Drogba was the 2005 runner up to Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o for African Footballer of the Year honors.
Sleepers:
Raul (ESP)
Michael Owen (ENG)
Luca Toni (ITA)
Miroslav Klose (GER)
MIDFIELDER
Ronaldhino (BRA) - The odds-on favorite to take the Golden Ball Award, Ronaldhino is the reigning two-time FIFA World Player of the Year and is the trigger man of the best team in the world. The first selection of any fantasy team starts and ends here. Enough said.
Michael Ballack (GER) - German soccer develops homegrown midfield talent in much the same way Penn State football develops linebackers. Ballack is the latest in a long line of world class Germans to patrol the middle of the pitch. Like Franz Beckenbauer and Jurgin Klinsmann before him, as Ballack goes - so goes the German offense. Four years ago that was enough to reach the championship match.
Frank Lampard (ENG) - Second to Ronaldhino in 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year voting, Lampard is one of the top goal scoring midfielders in the game.
Steven Gerrard (ENG) - Another goal scoring threat from the extremely dangerous English side, Garrard can play virtually anywhere on the pitch and is a threat to score every time he touches the ball.
Deco (POR) - A Brazilian with dual citizenship, Deco chose the Portuguese side rather than fighting for playing time on the Brazilian side. An excellent passer and ballhandler, he can score as well as rack up assists.
Kaka (BRA) - If you are beginning to think you could throw a dart at the Brazilian lineup card and field a competitive fantasy team, you're getting the point. This is a team George Steinbrenner could really get behind.
David Beckham (ENG) - Perhaps overrated for the first time in his career due only to his immense global popularity, the English captain continues to anchor a tremendous midfield. Beckham is nearing the end of a fantastic career and would love to avenge his team's quarterfinal elimination at the hands of the Brazilians in 2002.
Zinedine Zidane (FRA) - Sadly, the 2006 Cup will mark the end of a glorious career as Zidane has announced his retirement at its conclusion. One of the most important players the game has ever known, Zidane was named, in 2004, the greatest European player of the last 50 years.
Juan Riquelme (ARG) - An exquisite playmaker, Riquelme is an outstanding passer and with great Argentinian finishers available to him, the potential exists for numerous assists.
Francesco Totti (ITA) - Totti is a wily veteran with a penchant for finding the back of the net. Aided by strikers in front of him, he is very dangerous outside the 18-yard line and off the free kick.
Sleepers:
Pavel Nedved (CZE)
Pablo Aimar (ARG)
Landon Donovan (USA)
Freddie Ljungberg (SWE)
Cesc Fabregas (ESP)
DEFENDERS
Carlos Puyol (ESP) - An excellent defender with the ability to take the occasional shot on goal, Puyol is the class of the defenders available.
Alessandro Nesta (ITA) - With 74 international appearances, Nesta is an accomplished veteran and defensive anchor of the Italian side.
Roberto Carlos (BRA) - The ageless wonder continues to run circles around the opposition. Carlos possesses a tremendous left foot making him particularly dangerous off free kicks.
John Terry (ENG) - The Chelsea captain is a lynchpin of the English defense, capably marking the most dangerous opposition strikers.
Rafael Marquez (MEX) - Likely the best Mexican player of his generation, Marquez qualifies as a defenseman but is adept enough moving to midfield to create scoring opportunities for your fantasy team.
Fabio Cannavaro (ITA) - The 32 year-old Cannavaro has made 93 international appearances, joining Alessandro Nesta to create a formidable veteran Italian backline.
William Gallas (FRA) - Like Rafael Marquez, Gallas makes enough forays into the midfield to occasionally reward a fantasy team with shots on goal.
Roberto Ayala (ARG) - 100 international appearances are tough to argue with.
Ashley Cole (ENG) - A speedy defender with the ability to make long attacking runs, Cole is another defender able to advance the ball.
Cafu (BRA) - The Brazilian captain (who turns 36 on June 7th) is attempting to make history as he could become the first player to ever appear in four World Cup finals.
Sleepers:
Giovanni van Bronckhorst (NED)
Ricardo Carvalho (POR)
GOALKEEPERS
Gianluigi Buffon (ITA) - Buffon is considered by many to be the best keeper in the game. A recent match-fixing scandal involving several of his Juventus teammates threatened his place on the Italian team, but he was named to the Italian roster two weeks ago. Buffon goes off as the odds-on favorite for the Yashin Award (awarded to the tournament's most outstanding goalkeeper).
Petr Cech (CZE) - There must be something in the water in the Czech Republic. First it was Dominic Hasek in the hockey net, now it is Petr Cech on the pitch. Many felt Cech had something to prove when he joined Chelsea, but after unseating Carlo Cudicini for the starting position and posting a remarkable string of clean slates, he has established himself as one of the premier keepers around, earning the World Goalkeeper of the Year Award in 2005.
Iker Casillas (SPA) - Casillas recently turned 25, and is entering his seventeenth year with Real Madrid, his hometown team which snatched him up when he was only eight years old. A top-tier keeper who is getting better every day.
Edwin Van der Sar (NED) - Possibly the most consistent and experienced keeper available. With 108 International appearances to his credit, the 35 year old Manchester United veteran has seen it all.
Dida (BRA) - Capable of amazing feats yet plagued by befuddling inconsistency, Dida is a solid choice in scoring formats that place high value on shutouts. His value drops, however in formats awarding points for saves due to the Brazilian ball control offense which limits opposition offensive possessions.
Jens Lehmann / Oliver Kahn (GER) - Pick your poison. Both are fantastic players. Lehmann is the team's number one, but the aging Kahn is the reigning Golden Ball award winner from the 2002 Cup (beating out Ronaldo's eight goal performance). Either would make a great choice in net for your team, but having both of them on the same side makes for a dilemma if you are fielding a fantasy team, as either could play.
Sleepers:
Paul Robinson (ENG)
Fabien Barthez (FRA)
Roberto Abbondanzieri (ARG)
Kasey Keller (USA)
Feature Articles 
Yeah, I have about a dozen of these guys on my team along with about everyone else. But hey, did Kasey Keller get the nod as favorite over Tim Howard?
I was wondering the same thing. My brother (a soccer enthusiast, to say the least) told me that Keller is expected to play more than Howard because of experience and that Keller has actually played more in qualifying than Howard even though he thinks Howard is better.
I was wondering the same thing. My brother (a soccer enthusiast, to say the least) told me that Keller is expected to play more than Howard because of experience and that Keller has actually played more in qualifying than Howard even though he thinks Howard is better.
Interesting, it could be similar to the Kahn/Lehmann situation in Germany. I'd like to see Howard get in on a few games - I wouldn't say he is a superior goaltender but I do think he is better - but Keller certainly does have a lot more experience so I can understand why he might get the nod. I'll just have to wait and see I guess?
I think the US is leaning towards Keller (as mentioned earlier) due to his international experience. Lehmann is the better option at this point for the Germans, but Kahn is a national treasure. He'll be passing the torch, but I expect he'll see some action at some point. I'd just hate to have Lehmann in my lineup when Kahn does play.