THE MEN OF WORLD CUP 2010

1. Yoann Gourcuff – France

Date of birth: 11 July 1986 Height: 185 cm Position: Midfielder Shirt number: 8 Current Club: Bordeaux (FRA)

This truly sexy specimen has become known for his tendency to strip off to his undies when celebrating a win. Born in Brittany, 23 year old Yoann comes from an athletic family; his mother was a basketball player, his older brother, Erwan, is a competitive swimmer and cyclist, while his father was also footballer. As a youth, Yoann excelled at both football and tennis and he has since asserted himself as Les Bleus’ leading playmaker. We hope to see him display his on-field stripping technique while in South Africa. He tops our list thanks to his fresh looks and unabashed love of near-nudity.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal

Date of birth: 5 Feb 1985 Height: 75 kg Position: Forward Shirt number: 7 Current Club: Real Madrid (ESP)

You don’t get much hotter than 25 year old Cristiano Ronaldo Santos Aveiro who has become an international sex symbol; in many ways the new David Beckham. He’s been linked to everyone from Paris Hilton to Kim Kardashian, but remains possibly the world’s most eligible bachelor. Born on the Portuguese island of Madeira, he began his football career at the age of 17. With his surging runs and dazzling skills performed at blistering pace, his rise to stardom has been nothing short of meteoric. He’s the most expensive player in football history and has made us all very happy by modelling for Armani’s underwear ad campaign. In 2006 he was at number three on our list.

3. Fabio Cannavaro – Italy

Date of birth: 13 Sept 1973 Height: 175 cm Position: Defender Shirt number: 5 Current Club: Juventus (ITA)

Thirty six year old Fabio was at the top of our 2006 list and while he’s not quite as striking as he was back then, he remains a searingly sexy Italian footballer; these days less of a pretty boy and more of a man. He won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2006, making him its oldest recipient. Fabio is married with three children and, with 133 caps, is the most capped Italian national team player of all time. What he lacks in height, he makes up for with great anticipation, aggression and power – and of course a stunning body; complete with a face Michelangelo would have killed to sculpt.

4. Nicolas Anelka – France

Date of Birth: 14 March 1979 Height: 185 cm Position: Forward Shirt number: 21 Current club: Chelsea (ENG)

Born in Versailles, 31 year old Nicolas is married to a Belgian choreographer, has two sons and enjoys playing tennis in his free time. This firebrand is known as the enfant terrible of French football – not only because of his talent but also for his forthright personality. He acted in the 2002 film Le Boulet as a footballer and has said that when he retires from football, he’d like to work in the film industry. He converted to Islam in 2004 and considered leaving Europe to play for the United Arab Emirates. Over the years his built-up aggregate fees have made him the second most expensive player ever overall, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo.

5. Carlos Bocanegra – USA

Date of Birth: 25 May 1979 Height: 184 cm Position: Defender Shirt number: 3 Current club: Rennes (FRA)

This Californian stud, with Mexican roots, is not only a looker of note, but is also captain of the United States national team. Although the 32 year old is primarily a centre back, he has also seen time as left back and defensive midfielder. He is recognised for his dedication and no-nonsense play, and according to FIFA, is “always willing to put his body on the line for the American cause”. (We quite like the sound of that.) While the US is not a front-runner to take the trophy, the team has come a long way since 2006 and has made real inroads into the game. In fact, last year at the Confederation’s Cup, they stunned the football world by beating the no. 1 ranked Spain.