Pivotal: Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribéry is crucial to France's World Cup campaign

Caps: 41
Goals: 7
World Cup appearances: 7 (2006)
World Cup 2010 qualification: 6 appearances/3 goals

Club: Bayern Munich, Germany
Age: 26
Position: Midfielder

Watching France labour to an unconvincing (and manually-assisted) play-off victory over Ireland made plain how much France miss Ribéry. Not for nothing did Sir Alex Ferguson attempt to break the world transfer record for the winger over the summer as the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo became inevitable rather than probable.

Ribéry’s pace is less conspicuous in a French team blessed with naturally quick athletes, but his trickery and vision render him truly indispensable. A recurring knee problem has limited his appearances this season, but if he is fit he will spearhead France’s charge for glory.

Ribéry has become such an established player in the French side that it’s easy to forget he only made his debut three years ago. He is yet to make a real mark on a major tournament, limping out of Euro 2008 with an ankle injury and having a quiet World Cup in 2006.

He opted to stay at Bayern Munich in the summer despite reported interest from a number of Europe’s top clubs, but he is rumoured to be angling for a move at the end of this season, and a strong World Cup would place him firmly in the shop window again.