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THE TALISMAN
David Villa: The Spanish hitman once again showed his class after shining at the European Championship in 2008. The talisman, who has already scored five goals in the tournament so far, was approached by many top English clubs - including Machester United, Chelsea and now cash-rich Machester City in the last few years. But the former Valencia striker decided to stay in the Spanish La Liga and joined Barcelona for the upcoming season so that he should not lose the touch he is so famous for. (AP Photo)

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THE MAIN MAN
Carles Puyol: Puyol defended the Spanish wall superbly throughout this World Cup. He also scored the decisive goal in the semi-final against the Germans. The Barcelona player made his 400th appearance in all competitions for the Catalans in 2008 and though Machester United engaged in a deal for the player in 2003, he never even thought about changing his loyalties to some other club. (Reuters Photo)

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THE WINNER
Wesley Sneijder: He has been the driving force for the Dutch in this edition of the World Cup. The Inter Milan playmaker has been in transfer talks ever since he helped his club to win the domestic league title and even after the persistent effort by the Red Devils to seal the deal with Sneijder, the former Real Madrid Player decided to neglect it, at least for the time being. (AP Photo)

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THE WARRIOR
Diego Forlan: Forlan, who has already scored four goals in the tournament so far, had a two-year spell at the Old Trafford with Manchester United. But the Uruguayn never got going in the English conditions and could manage only ten goals in 63 appearances for the club. The Atletico Madrid player has hit the net 32 times in 33 games in 2008-09 season. (AP Photo)

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THE GUIDING FORCE
Philipp Lahm: The German captain has guarded his national team's defence superbly so far in the World Cup. The 26-year-old German captain, who has developed into a professional football player within the Bayern Munich team, has only played for VfB Stuttgart, also a German club, that too on loan. (Reuters Photo)