FIFA WORLD STARS TEAM
14 JULY 1996
Statistics valid as per May 1996 (pre-EURO '96)
ROMARIO
Flamengo and Brazil. The hero of the 1994 World Cup, the winner of the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player and also winner of the Bronze Shoe as third best scorer with five goals. Full name: Romario da Souza Faria. Born January 29, 1966 in Rio de Janeiro. 1.69m. / 70kg. Came to prominence in the 1988 Olympics, when Brazil were beaten in the Final by the USSR, and was quickly signed up by PSV Eindhoven. Stayed with the Dutch club five years, scoring 98 goals, before moving to Barcelona in 1993 for a fee of 4.5 million Dollars. Immediately became top scorer in Spain but had an increasingly stormy relationship with coach Johan Cruyff. Quit Spain in the season after his World Cup triumph to return to Brazil and play with Flamengo. No longer a first choice in Zagalo's national team but has recently rediscovered his goalscoring touch and remains one of the quickest and most precise natural goalscorers, a predator in the penalty area.
Brazilian star, Romario (Photo:ALLSPORT PHOTOGRAPHY USA Inc.)
JÜRGEN KLINSMANN
Bayern Munich and Germany. Popular and cosmopolitan fair-haired striker with a distinctive bouncy running style and boundless energy. Born Juy 30, 1964 near Stuttgart. 1.81m. / 76kg. Over 80 caps, 34 goals. The son of a baker, he also learnt the trade before becoming a professional with Stuttgarter Kickers and then VfB Stuttgart. Moved in 1989 to Inter Milan, in 1991 to AS Monaco and in 1994 to Tottenham Hotspur in England. Joined Bayern in 1995. Footballer of the Year in Germany in 1988 and in England in 1995. Made his Germany debut against Brazil in 1987 (1-1). A fearless, fast and imaginative striker, he scored 16 league goals for Bayern in the 1995-96 Bundesliga season plus a record 15 as they won the UEFA Cup. Took over from Lothar Matthaus as national team captain in 1995. Speaks English, Italian and French as well as German. An ambassador for the FIFA For SOS Children's Villages project. Married to a Californian designer, Debby, and a frequent vacationer in the US.
Jürgen Klinsmann, German star striker and Ambassador for FIFA for SOS Children's Villages. (Photo:FIFA/ Rauchensteiner)
GEORGE WEAH
AC Milan and Liberia. FIFA World Player of the Year 1995. Born October 1, 1966 in Monrovia, Liberia. Has dual Liberian/French nationality, but plays for Liberia. 1.84m. / 77 kg. Began with Liberian clubs Young Survivor of Clartown, Bongrange Company, Mighty Barole and Invincible Eleven, before joining Tonnerre de Yaoundé in Cameroon. While there, he was spotted by French coach Claude le Roy and recommended to Arsène Wenger, coach of AS Monaco, who brought him to France and developed his skills. Moved to Paris-St.Germain before signing for AC Milan in 1995. Scored numerous goals for Milan in his first Italian season, despite injuries. Won French League and Cup titles with Monaco and P- SG. Has played nearly 50 times for Liberia, including the 1996 African Cup of Nations finals. A strong and pacy striker with a natural instinct for goal. A FIFA-SOS Ambassador, and campaigner for peace in his troubled native country.
George Weah
JORGE CAMPOS
Mexico's goalie, Jorge Campos
LA Galaxy and Mexico. Agile, colourful goalkeeper who also likes to play as a striker. Born October 15, 1966 in Acapulco. 1.78m. / 70 kg. Played first for Acapulco before joining UNAM Mexico in 1987. Started as a striker and was top scorer for UNAM in 1989, but converted to goalkeeper in 1990, despite his modest height. Played all four games in goal for Mexico in the 1994 World Cup, conceding one goal per game but finally beaten by Bulgaria in the second round shoot-out. Well known for his flourescent jerseys. Pele said of him : "Football needs more like him."RENE HIGUITA
Atletico Nacional Medellin and Colombia. Spectacular goalkeeper with a flair for the unexpected. Born August 28, 1966. 1.75m. / 74kg. Introduced an adventurous style of goalkeeping in all four games for Colombia in the 1990 World Cup but his advances from his penalty area finally cost his team the decisive goal against Cameroon. Was jailed in Colombia shortly after Italia 90 for his alleged involvement in trying to solve a kidnapping case and was not in the 1994 World Cup finals squad. Made a spectacular "scorpion-kick" save against England at Wembley last year, hurling himself forwards and kicking the ball with his heels behind his head.LOTHAR MATTHÄUS
Bayern Munich and Germany. FIFA World Player of the Year in 1991, he has been forced to quit his international career on the verge of a world record number of caps. Born March 21, 1961 in Herzogenaurach. 1.74m. / 71 kg. Began his lengthy career with Borussia Moenchengladbach before joining Bayern Munich in 1984. Moved to Inter Milan in 1988 and back to Bayern four years later. Made the first of his 122 international appearances against Holland in the 1980 European Championship, and played for Germany in four European Championships and three World Cups, captaining them to World Cup triumph in 1990. Won four league championship medals, a cup winners' medal and the UEFA Cup with Bayern, and Italian league championship and the UEFA Cup with Inter. A tenacious midfielder who also plays effectively in the libero role, perceptive in his passing, with a fearsome shot, he is Germany's outstanding individual of the last decade.MICHAEL LAUDRUP
Vissel Kobe and Denmark. Denmark's finest player of the last ten years, recently left Real Madrid to join the J.League. Born June 15, 1964 in Copenhagen. 1.82m. / 82kg. Attracted international attention with Brondby IF and Kopenhagen BK in his home country before moving to Italy in 1983; was "parked" with Lazio Rome for two years before joining the great Juventus team of the mid-1980s. Moved to Barcelona in 1989 and then controversially joined rivals Real Madrid in 1994, leading them to the Spanish title a year later. League champion with Juventus, Barcelona (four times) and Real, Spanish Cup winner with Barcelona, European-South American Cup winner with Juventus in 1985, he also played in the 1986 World Cup and has frequently been his country's Footballer of the Year. Earlier a regular goalscorer, he now features mainly as a hard-working and creative midfielder.MARCEL DESAILLY
AC Milan and France. A towering figure in midfield for club and country, mobile and tireless, unbeatable in the air. Born September 7, 1968 in Accra, Ghana. 1.85m. / 85 kg. Moved as a youngster to France with his brother Adoukor, later to be killed in a car accident. Spent 12 years with FC Nantes (1980- 1992), making his first team debut in 1986, before joining top club Olympique Marseille and immediately won international recognition. Joined AC Milan in November 1993 and established himself as a key player in defensive midfield, starring and scoring a goal in the 4-0 defeat of Barcelona in the 1994 European Cup Final and winning league championship medals. Had already won the European Cup with Marseille in 1993 but forfeited that year's French League champions medal following the Marseille-Valencienne scandal.NED ZELIC
Eintracht Frankfurt and Australia. A cultured central defender with a deceptively languid style who has moved around Europe after beginning his career in his native Australia with Croatia Sydney and Sydney Olympic. Born July 4, 1971. 1.87m. / 84 kg. Full first name Nedijeljko. Starred for Australia in their impressive under-20 team in the 1991 World Youth Championship in Portugal, and joined Borussia Dortmund the following year. Lost his place through injury and moved to Queen's Park Rangers in England but returned to Germany to play for Eintracht Frankfurt, but was unable to save them from relegation. Has become a key player in the Australian national team.MARK FISH
Lazio Rome and South Africa. Has recently joined Lazio after emerging as a star of South Africa's much-publicised triumph in this year's African Cup of Nations on home soil. Born March 14, 1974 in Cape Town. 1.91m. / 86 kg. Played for South African clubs including Orlando Pirates, with whom he won the national league and the African Champion Clubs' Cup. Made his national team debut against Mexico in Los Angeles in October 1993, coming on as a sub. South African Football of the Year in 1994. A rugged central defender whose physical presence and natural skills caught the eye of Italian scouts during last January's African Cup in South Africa. Told FIFA Magazine recently : "I don't live only for football. I want to experience as much of life as possible. I want to fly a plane and drive a racing car ... I want to be a winner."
Mark Fish (Photo:ONZE MONDIAL)
ABEDI PÉLÉ
AS Torino and Ghana. One of the most talented players ever produced by Africa, a diminutive but exceptionally creative ball-player who also likes to score individualistic goals. Born November 5, 1964, in Dome, Ghana. 1.74m. / 66kg. Full name : Ayew Pele Abedi, the middle name in homage to the Brazilian star whom the young Abedi sought to emulate. Played in his home country for Real Timale, Sat Club and Dragons Ouémé before moving to France, starting with second division clubs Niort and Mulhouse before joining Lille and then Olympique Marseille, where he played the key midfield role in their successes of the early 1990s. Had one season with Lyon before joining AS Torino in 1994. Twice voted into the All-Star team at the African Cup of Nations in 1994 and 1996, having missed the 1992 Final through suspension.KAZU MIURA
Yomiuri Verdy and Japan. The most successful individual of Japan's current generation of footballers, a natural left-winger who also plays centre-forward and possesses a powerful left foot shot. Born February 26, 1967 in Shizuoka. 1.75m. / 71kg. Left Japan as a teenager to train as a footballer in Brazil, playing for clubs including Santos and Curitiba before returning to join Yomiuri Verdy when the J.League was created in 1993. Starred for Japan as they won the Asian Cup on home soil in 1992 and became a cult figure for millions of young Japanese fans. Signed for Genoa in Italy in 1994 but was injured in his first match and only won a regular place later in the season. Returned to Japan for the 1996 J.League season.KRASSIMIR BALAKOV
VfB Stuttgart and Bulgaria. Voted into the 1994 World Cup All-Star line-up as the most complete player in the finals. Born March 29, 1966 in Veliko Tirnovo. 1.76m. / 74kg. Nicknamed Bala. Played for his home town team, Etar, until 1990, then moved to Sporting Lisbon, whose coach Bobby Robson categorised him as one of the most talented players he had known. His reputation soared with Bulgaria's performances at the 1994 World Cup, when he played all seven matches as Bulgaria finished fourth. Joined VfB Stuttgart for the 1995-96 season. Has passed the 50-mark in appearances for Bulgaria. Technically brilliant, a clever dribbler but also fast and strong and the creator of many goal chances for his team.FERNANDO HIERRO
Real Madrid and Spain. For many years a stalwart in Real Madrid's defence and midfield, leader of his country's challenge in the European Championship. Born March 23, 1968 in Malaga. 1.87 / 84 kg. Has played nearly 50 times for Spain. Remembered especially for the goal he scored against Denmark in 1993 which secured Spain's qualification for the 1994 World Cup finals, where he played in all five matches and scored against Switzerland. Had been in the 1990 World Cup squad, but did not play. Began his career with his brother Manolo at Malaga, and both moved to Valladolid in 1987. Father and three brothers all played professionally. Joined Real Madrid in July 1989. Once scored a first half hat- trick against Torpedo Moscow in the UEFA Cup and finished second best scorer in the Spanish first division with 21 goals. As his surname ("iron" in English) suggests, a strong and forceful player and an influential captain.
Fernando Hierro
FERNANDO REDONDO
Real Madrid and Argentina. The engine in midfield for club and country. Born June 6, 1969 in Buenos Aires. 1.86m. / 76 kg. Nicknamed El Principe for his princely style as a deft and creative midfielder, providing accurate passes and alert to goal openings. Well known also for his fiery temperament, he began his career with Argentinos Juniors, making the first team at age 15. Played for his country in the inaugural FIFA under-16 World Tournament in China in 1985 and made his senior debut in June 1992. His breakthrough came in the Intercontinental Cup in Saudi Arabia later that year. Moved to Spain in 1991, first to Tenerife and then to Real Madrid in 1994 for a 5 million Dollar transfer fee. Out of action for a prolonged period through injury, but now back to health.JOHN HARKES
DC United and the United States. A dynamic midfielder who is on record as the most successful American ever to play in the English league. Born March 8, 1967 in Kearny NJ. 1.81m. / 75kg. Named the Missouri Athletic Club Player of the Year after his junior season in Virginia, he became a high school teammate of US goalkeeper Tony Meola. Won the first of over 60 caps with the US national team in 1989 and a year later joined Sheffield Wednesday in England. Played 82 times for Sheffield, scoring seven goals, including that in the 1993 League Cup Final which made him the first American to score a goal at Wembley, and the same year also became the first American to play in the FA Cup Final there. Scored the English League's Goal of the Year in 1990 against goalkeeping legend Peter Shilton. Joined Derby County in 1993 for two years before a brief spell with West Ham United and then moved back to start the new MLS. Played all three US matches in the 1990 World Cup and also all three group matches in 1994, but missed the second round game through suspension. MVP in the 1995 Copa America and US Cup 1992.
John Harkes
GIANLUCA VIALLI
Chelsea and Italy. One of the best-known Italian players of the last decade, not only for his provocative views and variety of hair-styles but especially for his powerful attacking play and goalscoring instinct. Born July 9, 1964 in Cremona. 1.80m. / 81kg. Has a diploma in geometrics. Described as "the most complete footballer after Maradona" by former Italian team coach Enzo Bearzot, but less favoured by Bearzot's successor, Arrigo Sacchi, under whom he has never held a regular place. 59 international appearances, including the 1986 and 1990 World Cups, with 16 goals. Came to fame during eight years with Sampdoria Genoa after an early career with Cremonese, and won the Italian League (1991), the Cup (1985, 1988, 1989) and the European Cup Winners' Cup (1990) with Samp before moving to Juventus as Italy's top goalscorer in 1992. With Juve, he has won the Italian League (1995), the UEFA Cup (1993) and the European Champions Cup (1996). Joined Chelsea of London in May, two days after captaining Juventus to European triumph over Ajax Amsterdam in Rome.DAVID GINOLA
Newcastle United and France. A stylish striker who operates mostly on the left wing, with close ball control, acceleration and a powerful shot. Born January 25, 1967 in Gossin (France). 1.82m / 82 kg. Began his career with Toulon in 1985 before moving on to Racing Paris three years later. Came to prominence during two seasons with Brest, where he scored ten goals in 50 appearances before being signed by Paris-St. Germain in 1992. In three years in Paris, he scored 32 goals in 115 league games and established himself as a regular in the French national team, winning 15 caps. Clashed verbally with Eric Cantona and was made responsible for a misplaced pass which led to the last-minute goal by which Bulgaria eliminated France from the 1994 World Cup qualifiers. Moved to Newcastle for the 1995-96 season and immediately became a favourite with the English fans for his dramatic attacking play, his suave life-style and his Gallic good looks. A controversial omission from the French squad for EURO 96.PAUL INCE
Inter Milan and England. A competitive midfielder with a high work rate, a ball-winner and natural leader. Born October 21, 1967, in Ilford. 1.78m / 74kg. Joined the nearby West Ham United and began his league career in 1985. His forceful style did not altogether fit West Ham’s classical approach and in 1989 he moved to Manchester United, making well over 200 appearances for the club and scoring 25 goals. Opted to move to Italy for the 1995-96 season, but failed to hold a regular place with Inter Milan until fellow Englishman Roy Hodgson took over as coach in December, then finished the season as club captain. Has also captained England, for whom he has won over 20 caps and was a key figure in the EURO 96 campaign.
Paul Ince
COACHESRICHARD MOELLER-NIELSEN
Coach of the Denmark team that surprisingly won the 1992 European Championship, but since the recent EURO 96 finals he has moved to take charge of the national team of Finland. Born August 19, 1937, in Odense. Played for OB Odense in the 1950s and was also selected twice for Denmark, but suffered a knee injury in the second game against Norway in September 1961 which put a permanent end to his playing career. Became coach of Odense in 1964, and led them to promotion the following year. Subsequently coached Esbjerg and Folin before returning for a 13-year spell with Odense, including two league titles. Took over the national under-21 team and then the senior side in 1990, succeeding Sepp Piontek. Also coached the Danish Olympic team in the 1992 Barcelona Games.BORA MILUTINOVIC
Dedicated and dramatic: Mexico's coach, Bora Milutinovic.
Coach of the Mexican national team since 1995 but still remembered for leading the US in the 1994 World Cup. Born September 7, 1944 in Bajina Basta, Yugoslavia. A player with Honduras Belgrade, AS Monaco, Nice and Rouen (France) and FC Winterthur in Switzerland, he moved to Mexico in 1972 as player and then coach with UNAM Pumas. In 1982 he was appointed national team coach, leading Mexico to sixth place in the 1986 World Cup on home ground. After a brief spell with San Lorenzo in Argentina, he was appointed to coach Costa Rica 90 days before the finals of the 1990 World Cup and again succeeded in taking his team past the first round. In March 1991 he became coach of the US squad to prepare for the 1994 World Cup and saw his team eliminated in the second round by World Champions Brazil. One of only two men (the other is Brazil's Carlos Alberto Parreira) to coach three different teams in the World Cup finals.STEVE SAMPSON
The US national team coach. Born January 19, 1957 in Salt Lake City. Took over officially in August 1995 from Bora Milutinovic, whom he had replaced as interim coach in April. Had previously been an assistant coach under Milutinovic for 62 matches. Formerly a member of the World Cup USA Organising Committee and member of US Soccer's National Teams Committee. National Coach of the Year in 1989 with Santa Clara, having earlier been assistant coach at UCLA. A graduate of San Jose State, he won All-America honours with Foothill in 1976, and later earned a master's degree in education from Stanford University.
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