No1: Kaka (AC Milan)
Milan’s hopes of becoming the first club to retain the Champions
League largely rests on the shoulders of this brilliant Brazilian.
As Kaka demonstrated against Manchester United last season, he has
the ability to change a match in an instant. A master with the
ball, the forward can score from any range and few would bet
against him reaching a third final in four years
No2: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Where do you start with Ronaldo? The Portuguese star could land
the European Golden Boot awarded despite playing most of the season
on the right wing. Few questioned his talent but by adding an
incredible scoring record to his game, the United ace has become
virtually untouchable.
No3: Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid)
Alex Ferguson usually gets it right on selling star players but
did the Manchester United boss let Van Nistelrooy leave a little
too early? The Dutch striker has continued his extraordinary
scoring spree at Real Madrid. Now 31, this could be his best chance
of winning the Champions League.
No4: Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
It has been six weeks since Drogba last pulled on a Chelsea
shirt and the Blues will be delighted to have him back from African
Nations Cup duty. The Ivory Coast star has blossomed into a
fearsome package of power, pace and skill with a scoring record to
match. But can Avram Grant accommodate him and Nicolas Anelka in
the same team?
No5: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan)
The Swedish ace is the tournament’s current joint-top scorer
with Cristiano Ronaldo. The lanky forward has shrugged off his
bad-boy tag to become one of the continent’s deadliest finishers.
Ibrahimovic will be a key factor in whether Inter can enjoy
European as well as domestic success
No6: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Have we finally found the genuine heir to Diego Maradona? The
Argentina star has excelled again this season, adding an impressive
number of goals to his fearsome attacking threat. With Thierry
Henry and Samuel Eto’o misfiring, Messi has often saved Barca
single-handedly.
No7: Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal)
The surprise package of the season. Adebayor has eased into the
void left by Thierry Henry with a superb scoring spree this term.
His power and pace alone will trouble any defence. Yet, the Togo
hitman has not scored during this Champions League campaign.
Gunners fans will be praying his heroics are not restricted to the
Premier League.
No8: Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
The Spanish striker is lumbered with saving Liverpool’s season
and Rafa Benitez’s job – no pressure, then. Torres has been a rare
shining light in the Reds’ poor season. He undoubtedly has the
talent but can he cope with the spotlight in his first ever
Champions League knockout clash?
No9: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
The England star is not – and may never be – an out-and-out
scorer but that is exactly why Europe’s top sides fear him.
Rooney’s habit off dropping deep to trigger United attacks can lead
to devastating results. And he has a superb talent for producing
sensational goals from nowhere.
No10: Ronaldinho (Barcelona)
The Brazilian master has been criticised left, right and centre
after being accused of shedding his form and piling on the pounds.
But there is little doubt that Ronaldinho still possesses that
magic that has tormented defences across Europe. Opponents would be
foolish to write him off just yet