A global journey…
© US Embassy New Zealand
One of the members of England's winning team in 2003, Ben Cohen, strongly believes that Martin Johnson's squad can win the 2011 World Cup.
Cohen said that, despite recent 19-9 defeat at the Millennium Stadium, England could still beat the best in New Zealand.
"England have got the players, they just need the game plan. They have the capability to go out and win the World Cup," said the wing.
Cohen mentioned that Johnson was still trying to come across his best combinations before England's final warm-up match, in Dublin.
"The balance England had in 2003 was because of the power runners they had, at present they're trying to get that balance but they're not gelling," said Cohen.
© andrew prickett
Ronaldinho has shown his wish to become a permanent fixture of the Brazil squad again; he said he can certainly contribute to the national team.
After a season in which Ronaldinho could not show his form and fitness on a regular basis with AC Milan, he was kept away from former coach Dunga's 2010 World Cup squad.
"I believe I still have plenty to offer at the highest level," said Ronaldinho.
"My goal is to do my best with Flamengo and I will be prepared if the coach needs me," added Ronaldinho.
Ronadinho has been working his deal back in Brazil since January after coming back to his mother country with Flamengo and he remains a tremendously admired figure among the country's football fans.
© 99 James Kieran Nguyen
Famecount.com has announced Cristiano Ronaldo as the world's most popular footballer. Kaká and Lionel Messi have taken 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.
The website measured and aggregated the level of fame as per social media numbers. Ronaldo was ranked first in the list of most "popular" stars.
At present, Ronaldo has 32 million fans on facebook, 3.7 million followers on Twitter and approximately five million YouTube views.
Players like Ronaldo who connect with social media platforms are obviously catapulted up the social media hierarchy.
On the other hand, Kaka has 5.3 million Twitter followers, which is more than any other footballer but compared to Ronaldo, he has only a scanty 10.7 million Facebook fans. Messi, on the contrary, has 23 million fans .