Three breakout stars from the 3 previous editions of the World Cup

2006-LUKAS PODOLSKI

2006-LUKAS PODOLSKI (GERMANY)-

Unlike the other two players on the list, the 2006 World Cup wasn't actually his first major tournament with the national team. He was in the team for the EURO 2004, but made only one substitute appearance in the entire tournament. He made his debut for the national team at the age of 19 in a friendly against Hungary becoming the first second-division player to play for the German national team since 1975. The reason he was relatively unknown before the World Cup was that, despite his talent he was playing for his boyhood club FC KOLN who had jut been relegated again from the top division of the Bundesliga at the end of the 2005-2006 season having just been promoted two seasons prior to that even though Podolski managed to score 12 goals that season for the team.

Podolski started the first game for the World Cup partnering Miroslav Klose upfront and was terrific playing from the left-side of the attack. He managed to score his first goal at the World Cup in the third group match against Ecuador where Germany qualified for the round of 16.

In the round of 16 game against Sweden, Podolski was the best player on the pitch scoring both goals in a victory for Germany. Podolski scored two goals in the first 12 minutes of the game becoming only the third player to ever-do so in a World Cup match and the first since 1962. Germany eventually finished third in the tournament with Podolski scoring three goals throughout. He was awarded the best young player award at the tournament beating the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

After the World Cup, it was announced that Podolski will be moving To Fc Bayern from where he went on to play for Arsenal in the premier league.

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