CB - Gerard Pique (Spain)
Since moving back to Barcelona he has become a titan in defence leading all of Catalunya to give him the nickname Piquebauer. That moniker had slipped of late as his love of playing football seemed to be overshadowed by his love of his elevated lifestyle his relationship with Shakira had brought him. Not so subtle fingers were pointing at him as one of the reasons that Pep Guardiola had decided to take a break from management and when Carles Puyol pulled out of the tournament injured you would have been forgiven for fearing the worst. It didn't turn out that way though as he forged a defensive partnership with Sergio Ramos that has probably retired Puyol and will be the bedrock of the Spanish national team for years to come.