2006 World Cup Troika

By Ines Mendoza

As my parents will inform you, I'm not one to get caught up in fads or hype. That's right, I was one of the precious few who decided against the trend of 'Happy Pants' -- and you know what? I'm pretty sure I came out victorious on that issue.

But despite every bone in my body telling me to ignore the latest fad, there is a part of me that just can't hold back. I'm addicted to World Cup soccer - or is it football? I never know... But whatever the case, I'm quite partial to the men of the World Cup.

I mean, what's not to like? They score a goal and then proceed to take their clothes off. It really is a magical game, and as a side effect of waiting for these moments of striptease, I have actually fallen in love with the World Game, much to the chagrin of my significant other.

Nevertheless, ladies and gentlemen, I give to you my World Cup troika!

Numero Trois: Tim Cahill

While in the world stakes he isn't everyones first choice, I just can't go past this lovable Sydneysider (of a mixed Samoan/English decent) who ignited the dreams of millions of Aussies around the world with his two amazing closing minute goals to take the Socceroos to an historic 3-1 win over Japan in the opening round of the 2006 World Cup.

Born in December of 1979, this incredibly talented young gun of Australian soccer has been hot tipped for a long time to being the next rising star in the midfield.

In his early years, Tim played junior soccer for Lakemba Sports Club. However, it wasn't until 1997 he begged his parents to take him to England to play professionally. He was quickly snatched up by English club Millwall after a short but impressive career playing for Sydney United in Australia. In fact, Cahill was the driving force behind their heroic '02-'03 campaign which led Millwall to the FA Cup final for the first time in the club's history.

Cahill made 250 appearances for The Millwall Lions, scoring 57 goals before signing with Everton at the start of the 2004-2005 season, a fairly popular English Premier League club whose arch-rival is Liverpool.

However, it wasn't until 2004 that the feisty midfielder made his debut in the Australian Socceroos squad. Debuting against South Africa in June of that year, it wasn't long until Cahill was called up for a place in the 2004 Olympic Games Socceroos team. He was also named Oceania Footballer of the Year for 2004, joining the likes of Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Brett Emerton, Christian Karembeu and Mark Bosnich among some of the past winners of the award, which has existed since 1988.

Timothy Cahill is short, stocky and quick (just the way I like them) and with the kind of cultured good looks that could easily score him an advertising contract with a fancy Milanese jeans boutique. Yep, he's hot stuff, and filthy rich too, having just re-signed with Everton for a huge wad of cash that will have him playing at the British football club until 2010.

Numero Deux: David Beckham

Say what you will, but there is no denying the absolute charm and downright hunk factor of Mr. Beckham. I was first introduced to the gorgeous world of David Beckham one cold June morning. My father, a rabid Spanish soccer fan, was abusing the TV intently as Beckham made the news for yet another non-sport related incident (well, some consider it a kind of sport...).

But, at the end of the day, Beckham is truly an amazing player, coming in at 'numero deux' in my official list of World Cup sex symbols. Born May 2nd, 1975 in Leytonstone in East London, David was the son of a kitchen fitter and a hairdresser (the latter of which a profession which would later become ever so useful to him).

However, he was always destined to be involved in soccer, and despite a burgeoning athletics career in his youth, he attended one of Bobby Charlton's soccer schools in Manchester and won the chance to take part in a training session at FC Barcelona in a talent competition.

In 1986, he took on the role of the Manchester United mascot for a match against West Ham United. However, it wasn't until the young Beckham had trials with Leyton Orient and attended Tottenham Hotspur's school of excellence, that he signed a Youth Training Scheme contract on 8 July 1991 with Manchester. He was part of an exceptionally talented group of young players at the club who helped the club to win the FA Youth Cup in May 1999. So impressive were the youngster's skills, he made his debut appearance for the Red Devil's first team that year, as a substitute in a League Cup match against Brighton and Hove Albion.

From there, it was game on.

He made his first English Premier League appearance in 1995, which was followed by one of the most successful careers in soccer's history (with Manchester's success echoing the great Chicago Bulls basketball team of the '90s). During his tenure with Manchester United he helped them win the treble of League, FA Cup, and Champions League in 1999. In 2003 he left to join Spain's Real Madrid for an estimated €35 million ($A60 million), but unfortunately for him, he has yet to win a major trophy with the Spanish club.

His World Cup record is second to none, with the potential to become the only player to kick a goal in three consecutive World Cup Finals, an achievement which was honoured in 2002 when he was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to football on 13 June.

Oh, and there's all that stuff about being married to Posh Spice, being the face of Pepsi, a UNICEF supporter and a sex scandal or two. But c'mon, who really wants to hear about that!

Numero Un: Cicinho

Hailing from Brazil, this boy is stunning. As seems to be the trend with Brazilian boys - and girls for that matter - good looks are all part and parcel of existence. Born Cícero João de Cézare, on June 24, 1980 in Pradópolis, São Paulo, plays as a wingback and is currently signed with the Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid (along with our boy David!) and he is nicknamed is Cicinho.

However, unlike Beckham who knew of his destiny from an early age, Cicinho may be the luckiest man to be in the Brazil squad for this year's World Cup Finals. Not in terms of skill, as he has shown the world what it takes to make an excellent wingback, it's more for the fact that he leapfrogged several other candidates with arguably more impressive CVs to gain his spot on the team.

In the summer of 2005 when Parreira (the Brazilian coach) was selecting a squad for the Confederations Cup, he knew that team captain Cafu was not available for selection. Instead he opted for his long-term understudy Belletti (of Barcelona), and called up Cicinho from Paulista winners São Paulo as a reserve. And he obviously made his mark, and is now likely to play many games in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

He has a tenacity and level of fitness rivalled by few players (not to mention good looks), as he regularly runs from his defensive position up the field to help make plays and assist goals. He once said "I run around 13 kilometres per match," which is quite a bit for a soccer player, and it's due to this supreme stamina that he "once lost close to 4.5 kilos during a game".

That tanned skin, a subtle-yet-cheeky smile... He is the epitome of the Brazilian athlete, and looks so very hot in the blazing Brazilian national strip. And while it may be argued he is not in fact the hottest in the world - he certainly has something going for him. And that's all the proof I need.

Oh, and just for the record, go Aussie go!