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World Cup 2010 Comment: Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Daniele De Rossi & Frank Lampard - The stars who had great club seasons but disastrous World Cups
The big names that failed to reach big expectations...
6 Jul 2010 12:00:00
By Carlo Garganese
Good club season, bad World Cup
Wayne Rooney: Although Rooney ended the club season with just a League Cup, he was far and away the best player in England in 2009/10. The 24-year-old at times compensated single-handedly for the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid, scoring 34 goals in all competitions and winning the PFA and FWA Footballer of the Year Awards.
At the World Cup, though, he had a complete nightmare and was arguably the flop of the tournament. ‘Wazza’ scored no goals and massively underperformed in each of his four games as England crashed out in the second round 4-1 to Germany.
Frank Lampard: Lampard had the most prolific season of his career with Chelsea last term, scoring an incredible 22 goals in 36 league games from midfield as the Londoners romped home to a domestic double of Premier League and FA Cup. But, for the second consecutive World Cup, the 32-year-old struggled on the biggest stage. The ex-West Ham man was dominated by his opponents in the 0-0 draw with Algeria and 4-1 loss to Germany – although he had a goal scandalously not given in the latter – and failed to get on the scoresheet.
Daniele De Rossi: Although not the greatest club season in his career, De Rossi was still a key figure alongside David Pizarro as Roma went so close to snatching the Serie A title from Inter. But for the umpteenth time, the 26-year-old failed to transport his club form to his country and, despite the equaliser in the opener against Paraguay, he endured a shocking World Cup.
De Rossi was at fault for three of the four goals Italy conceded in South Africa as the champions humiliatingly were dumped out in the first round after finishing bottom of a weak group also containing New Zealand and Slovakia.
Cristiano Ronaldo: After his mega-money from Manchester United to Real Madrid, the pressure was well and truly on for Ronaldo to perform at the Santiago Bernabeu. Although the Blancos ended the season trophyless, the Portuguese didn’t disappoint with a series of explosive showings and 33 goals from just 35 appearances in all competitions. With Portugal, though, it all went wrong. Just like at Euro 2008, Ronaldo failed to be a leader and went missing far too often. He scored just the sixth goal in the 7-0 thrashing of North Korea and was like a ghost in the 1-0 exit to Spain in the second phase.
Bad club season, good World Cup
Miroslav Klose: Most people believed that Miroslav Klose was finished as a footballer going into this World Cup, after a difficult last couple of campaigns and just three Bundesliga goals in 25 games last season. But, the 32-year-old has been reborn in South Africa and has suddenly rediscovered his speed and goalscoring knack with four goals and a series of world-class displays to take him to second in the all-time World Cup scorers list.
Lukas Podolski: Like Klose, Podolski endured a disastrous club season. The Polish-born hitman found the back of the net a paltry three times in 31 appearances in all competitions for Cologne. But, with Germany the 25-year-old has been an entirely different player. He has caused havoc on the attacking left of a 4-2-3-1, scoring twice and making a number of assists as Germany prepare for their semi-final against Spain.
Alexis Sanchez: The little ‘Wonder Boy’ was one of the most electrifying players of the World Cup, running rings around his opponents and being the star man in an impressive Chile team. This followed on from a rather underpar club campaign with an Udinese side that flirted with relegation for much of 2009/10.
Good club season, good World Cup
Luis Suarez: Suarez scored 35 Eredivisie goals and set up an additional 17, although the Uruguayan attacker's superb performances were not enough to help Ajax to the league title. Has played a key role in Uruguay’s path to their first World Cup semi final in 40 years with three goals and a controversial handball on the line against Ghana.
Diego Forlan: Forlan scored 28 goals in all competitions for Atletico Madrid and was absolutely crucial in their Europa League success, scoring home and away in the Liverpool semi-final and twice in the 2-1 final victory over Fulham. At the World Cup, Forlan has been semi-finalists Uruguay’s best player operating as a trequartista and has scored three times – two of them rockets.
Bastian Schweinsteiger: The 25-year-old cut a beleageured figure at the start of the season; shunted from the wing to behind the strikers he was unable to carve out his identity in Louis van Gaal's new Bayern team. However after a switch to the engine room, Schweini has gone on to be a revelation.
A veritable ball-magnet for the double winners, no player commanded more influence on the field. His ability in that position encouraged Jogi Loew to switch him there for the national team too. He has not looked back.
Thomas Mueller: This time last year Mueller was gearing up for his first full season as a professional. The adaptable attacker immediately became a key component of a double-winning Bayern Munich side while still a long way short of his 21st birthday. He played every single Bundesliga match, scoring 13 times, and missed only one Champions League game en-route to the final, due to suspension. At the World Cup, Mueller has been a contender for Young Player of the Tournament with four goals on the way to the semi finals.
Wesley Sneijder: The arrival of the pint-sized Dutchman from Real Madrid brought Inter some much-needed flair and guile in the middle and final thirds, and while he endured a few injury problems, Sneijder has almost always performed when it mattered. With eight goals in all competitions and many assists, Sneijder was vital to Inter's Serie A success, and he was outstanding in the Champions League too. In South Africa, Sneijder has scored four goals as Holland find themselves in the semis.
Arjen Robben: He only played in 24 league matches, but overall, Robben was the Bundesliga’s best player. During his limited play, the Dutch winger scored a career high 16 goals, and assisted seven more. He was also probably the most killer influence in the Champions League this season - bar Diego Milito – scoring decisive knockout stunners against Fiorentina and Manchester United. Has not disappointed at the World Cup, either.
David Villa: With 21 goals, ‘El Guaje’ played a huge part in helping Valencia re-establish themselves as one of La Liga’s elite clubs after spending the last two years in the wilderness. At the World Cup, he has saved Spain time and again, scoring five goals including knockout winners in the 1-0 victories against Portugal and Paraguay.
Bad club season, bad World Cup
Thierry Henry: There comes a time for every player when the legs go, and 2009/10 was this season for Henry as he scored just four goals for Barcelona. Soon lost his Blaugrana first team place and barely featured in the closing months of the campaign. Internationally, things went wrong too following the infamous handball against Ireland with a catastrophic World Cup.
Franck Ribery: A troubled 2009/10 from beginning until end. Failed in his attempt to leave Bavaria last summer, and was then hampered by injuries, off-field troubles and a lack of form. Missed the Champions League final through suspension, and not even a domestic double could erase his struggles. Flopped at the World Cup too, along with all his France team-mates.
Felipe Melo: A dismal series of performances and a number of subsequent run-ins with the Juventus faithful doesn’t come close to summing up Melo’s horrible season. His £21 million transfer fee and £11m five-year contract have made his rash tackling and misplaced passes all the more difficult for his paymasters to take.
At the World Cup itself he was a key reason for Brazil’s quarter final defeat to Holland, as he scored an own goal and was sent off for stamping on Arjen Robben.
Wayne Rooney: Although Rooney ended the club season with just a League Cup, he was far and away the best player in England in 2009/10. The 24-year-old at times compensated single-handedly for the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid, scoring 34 goals in all competitions and winning the PFA and FWA Footballer of the Year Awards.
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At the World Cup, though, he had a complete nightmare and was arguably the flop of the tournament. ‘Wazza’ scored no goals and massively underperformed in each of his four games as England crashed out in the second round 4-1 to Germany.
Frank Lampard: Lampard had the most prolific season of his career with Chelsea last term, scoring an incredible 22 goals in 36 league games from midfield as the Londoners romped home to a domestic double of Premier League and FA Cup. But, for the second consecutive World Cup, the 32-year-old struggled on the biggest stage. The ex-West Ham man was dominated by his opponents in the 0-0 draw with Algeria and 4-1 loss to Germany – although he had a goal scandalously not given in the latter – and failed to get on the scoresheet.
Daniele De Rossi: Although not the greatest club season in his career, De Rossi was still a key figure alongside David Pizarro as Roma went so close to snatching the Serie A title from Inter. But for the umpteenth time, the 26-year-old failed to transport his club form to his country and, despite the equaliser in the opener against Paraguay, he endured a shocking World Cup.
De Rossi was at fault for three of the four goals Italy conceded in South Africa as the champions humiliatingly were dumped out in the first round after finishing bottom of a weak group also containing New Zealand and Slovakia.
Cristiano Ronaldo: After his mega-money from Manchester United to Real Madrid, the pressure was well and truly on for Ronaldo to perform at the Santiago Bernabeu. Although the Blancos ended the season trophyless, the Portuguese didn’t disappoint with a series of explosive showings and 33 goals from just 35 appearances in all competitions. With Portugal, though, it all went wrong. Just like at Euro 2008, Ronaldo failed to be a leader and went missing far too often. He scored just the sixth goal in the 7-0 thrashing of North Korea and was like a ghost in the 1-0 exit to Spain in the second phase.
Bad club season, good World Cup
Miroslav Klose: Most people believed that Miroslav Klose was finished as a footballer going into this World Cup, after a difficult last couple of campaigns and just three Bundesliga goals in 25 games last season. But, the 32-year-old has been reborn in South Africa and has suddenly rediscovered his speed and goalscoring knack with four goals and a series of world-class displays to take him to second in the all-time World Cup scorers list.
Lukas Podolski: Like Klose, Podolski endured a disastrous club season. The Polish-born hitman found the back of the net a paltry three times in 31 appearances in all competitions for Cologne. But, with Germany the 25-year-old has been an entirely different player. He has caused havoc on the attacking left of a 4-2-3-1, scoring twice and making a number of assists as Germany prepare for their semi-final against Spain.
Alexis Sanchez: The little ‘Wonder Boy’ was one of the most electrifying players of the World Cup, running rings around his opponents and being the star man in an impressive Chile team. This followed on from a rather underpar club campaign with an Udinese side that flirted with relegation for much of 2009/10.
Good club season, good World Cup
Luis Suarez: Suarez scored 35 Eredivisie goals and set up an additional 17, although the Uruguayan attacker's superb performances were not enough to help Ajax to the league title. Has played a key role in Uruguay’s path to their first World Cup semi final in 40 years with three goals and a controversial handball on the line against Ghana.
Diego Forlan: Forlan scored 28 goals in all competitions for Atletico Madrid and was absolutely crucial in their Europa League success, scoring home and away in the Liverpool semi-final and twice in the 2-1 final victory over Fulham. At the World Cup, Forlan has been semi-finalists Uruguay’s best player operating as a trequartista and has scored three times – two of them rockets.
Bastian Schweinsteiger: The 25-year-old cut a beleageured figure at the start of the season; shunted from the wing to behind the strikers he was unable to carve out his identity in Louis van Gaal's new Bayern team. However after a switch to the engine room, Schweini has gone on to be a revelation.
A veritable ball-magnet for the double winners, no player commanded more influence on the field. His ability in that position encouraged Jogi Loew to switch him there for the national team too. He has not looked back.
Thomas Mueller: This time last year Mueller was gearing up for his first full season as a professional. The adaptable attacker immediately became a key component of a double-winning Bayern Munich side while still a long way short of his 21st birthday. He played every single Bundesliga match, scoring 13 times, and missed only one Champions League game en-route to the final, due to suspension. At the World Cup, Mueller has been a contender for Young Player of the Tournament with four goals on the way to the semi finals.
Wesley Sneijder: The arrival of the pint-sized Dutchman from Real Madrid brought Inter some much-needed flair and guile in the middle and final thirds, and while he endured a few injury problems, Sneijder has almost always performed when it mattered. With eight goals in all competitions and many assists, Sneijder was vital to Inter's Serie A success, and he was outstanding in the Champions League too. In South Africa, Sneijder has scored four goals as Holland find themselves in the semis.
Arjen Robben: He only played in 24 league matches, but overall, Robben was the Bundesliga’s best player. During his limited play, the Dutch winger scored a career high 16 goals, and assisted seven more. He was also probably the most killer influence in the Champions League this season - bar Diego Milito – scoring decisive knockout stunners against Fiorentina and Manchester United. Has not disappointed at the World Cup, either.
David Villa: With 21 goals, ‘El Guaje’ played a huge part in helping Valencia re-establish themselves as one of La Liga’s elite clubs after spending the last two years in the wilderness. At the World Cup, he has saved Spain time and again, scoring five goals including knockout winners in the 1-0 victories against Portugal and Paraguay.
Bad club season, bad World Cup
Thierry Henry: There comes a time for every player when the legs go, and 2009/10 was this season for Henry as he scored just four goals for Barcelona. Soon lost his Blaugrana first team place and barely featured in the closing months of the campaign. Internationally, things went wrong too following the infamous handball against Ireland with a catastrophic World Cup.
Franck Ribery: A troubled 2009/10 from beginning until end. Failed in his attempt to leave Bavaria last summer, and was then hampered by injuries, off-field troubles and a lack of form. Missed the Champions League final through suspension, and not even a domestic double could erase his struggles. Flopped at the World Cup too, along with all his France team-mates.
Felipe Melo: A dismal series of performances and a number of subsequent run-ins with the Juventus faithful doesn’t come close to summing up Melo’s horrible season. His £21 million transfer fee and £11m five-year contract have made his rash tackling and misplaced passes all the more difficult for his paymasters to take.
At the World Cup itself he was a key reason for Brazil’s quarter final defeat to Holland, as he scored an own goal and was sent off for stamping on Arjen Robben.
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