Recharging: Cristiano Ronaldo missed the latter part of Portugal's campaign through injury but should prove an invaluable asset next summer

Caps: 68
Goals: 22
World Cup appearances: 6 (2006)
World Cup 2010 qualification: 7 appearances/0 goals

Club: Real Madrid, Spain
Age: 24
Position: Midfielder/Striker

When Fifa made the late change to the European qualification format, seeding the eight play-off teams, it was most likely they had Cristiano Ronaldo in mind when doing it.

A World Cup without Ronaldo would have been unthinkable, but for a good part of Portugal’s qualification campaign, it was a genuine possibility.

Two wins from their first seven games left them fourth in their group and in danger of suffering a humiliating elimination. Three consecutive wins and a play-off triumph over Bosnia averted that fate, allowing Ronaldo the chance to shine on a stage where he has not always excelled.

Despite his phenomenal success for Manchester United and, following his world record transfer, Real Madrid – where he has scored nine goals in seven games so far – Ronaldo’s form for his country of late could best be described as subdued.

He played in seven on Portugal’s qualifying matches without scoring a goal; in fact, he has scored just once since Euro 2008, a nondescript penalty in a friendly against Finland in February.

Although currently injured, an extended break may just recharge his batteries in time for next summer. The bigwigs at Fifa – as well as a certain Wayne Rooney – would expect nothing less.