A football-playing centre half, Rio Ferdinand has all the attributes to be one of the world's best in his position.
Pace, power and aerial ability are the key ingredients behind all good central defenders, but it is Ferdinand's coolness in possession and skill on the ball that sets him apart from the rest.
"He's probably the best defender England has seen in its history"
Gary Neville
The 27-year-old has twice broken the record for the world's most expensive defender, such is his ability, and he will be looking to show just why in Germany.
After being one of several top England stars to come through the ranks at West Ham, Ferdinand showed a temperament way beyond his years when starring at Upton Park.
Ferdinand was part of the glittering West Ham FA Youth Cup side that got to the final in 1996, and his displays earned him a senior debut in the same year
Making his debut against Sheffield Wednesday in May of that year at the age of 17, Ferdinand looked to play football from the very start and has never been afraid of having the ball at his feet, preferring a neat pass or a dribble instead of a hoof into row z.
A short loan spell at Bournemouth gave him some vital experience and he returned to Upton Park to become a mainstay of Harry Redknapp's side.
A senior England debut came for Ferdinand just days before his 19th birthday in a friendly against Cameroon at Wembley, while his first start for his country came the following March against Switzerland.
Redknapp and the Hammers board reluctantly agreed to let Ferdinand leave the club in November 2000 after Leeds United came in with a world record £18 million bid for the defender.
Ferdinand blossomed at Elland Road and got his first taste of UEFA Champions League football under David O'Leary in their exciting run to the semi-finals of Europe's premier club competition.
Ferdinand matured so much that he was handed the club captaincy by O'Leary, as Lucas Radebe struggled with bad knee injuries, and he quickly became an authoritative figure in a young side.
Sven Goran Eriksson settled on Ferdinand as Sol Campbell's central defensive partnership, and he starred during World Cup qualifying, and the tournament itself where he scored his first international goal against Denmark in the second round.
His displays in the Far East only endorsed Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to try and sign him, and Leeds finally agreed to another world record fee for a defender of £30 million.
After a mixed first season at Old Trafford, disaster struck for Ferdinand after he missed a routine drugs test and, despite a lengthy appeal, he was banned by The FA for eight months - crucially ruling him out of Euro 2004 in Portugal.
Ferdinand returned to action seemingly non the worse for his lengthy absence, and was back in England action at Old Trafford against Wales in World Cup qualifying in October 2004.
Despite showing all the class that made his the world's most expensive defender, Ferdinand is still susceptible to the odd loss in concentration, while others believe he is sometimes to nonchalant in possession at the back in tight circumstances.
United fans voiced their anger with Ferdinand during pre-season in the summer of 2005, as talks over a new deal dragged on whilst speculation of a shock departure gather pace. However, he signed a new four-year deal in August to get himself back in the good books.
Despite the odd lapse of concentration here and there, Ferdinand has been reasonably solid for United and will be hoping to make amends for missing Euro 2004 with another fine World Cup display.
