World Cup 2010: Top 10 Players With The Most to Prove

As a mere 30 days are left from the inauguration of the biggest spectacle on earth, i.e. the FIFA World Cup, lots of emotions and reputations will be at stake.

When the players and fans from around the world arrive to the country of Nelson Mandela, all eyes will be on the players who will be there to prove something.

There will be upcoming stars who will have to prove their worth to the world and their suitors. The established players will have their reputations to maintain as the whole world will be watching them at play.

The FIFA World Cup will be the farewell for many veterans who will look to end their career on a high.

In these slides we will look into the top ten players who have the most to prove in this year's World Cup. It may be their reputation at stake or their fight to make a name for themselves in the footballing world.

Neven Subotic: Will He Meet Expectations?

The 21-year-old Borussia Dortmund centre-back has had an impressive season so far for the German Bundesliga outfit.

His defensive skills, along with his flair for attack, has made him one of the most sought after youngsters this season. From Chelsea to Bayern and from Arsenal to Juventus, this Serbian has become a major transfer target for a host of clubs.

When he takes the field as a member of the Serbian national team this summer at the FIFA World Cup, he will have the chance to display his exploits and earn himself further fame and admirers.

Subotic's host of suitors will have an eye on his performance during the World Cup, and an impressive outing will be enough for him to attract lucrative offers from the European elite.

So the Serbian defender will have his hands full at the World Cup in South Africa commencing within a month.

Thierry Henry: Can the French Star End on a High?

Virtually playing his last World Cup, the 32-year-old Thierry Henry will have all eyes on him, as the world will bid adieu to one of the greatest football players.

The French veteran is unlikely to feature in the next World Cup, and this 19th edition might be his last. He had a less than impressive season at Nou Camp this season.

With rumours in and around Barca of a possible move to the States, it might be Henry's best chance to end his international career on a high.

With the whole world watching a world-class performance at the World Cup could be the best possible end to a glorious career for the French hitman.

Marek Hamsik: Slovakia Will be Looking Up to Him

The 22-year-old Slovak midfielder has turned into a hot transfer target for a host of European elite clubs.

Napoli's "Golden Boy" has had a superb season. He has scored an impressive 12 goals in the 33 appearances he has made for his club this season. His exploits on the field has earned him a host of admirers around the world.

Numerous top European clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid have set their sights on this highly-rated Slovak.

Hamsik will have a lot to prove when he puts on his Slovakian colours at the World Cup this summer. It will be his stepping stone to greatness and fame in the football world.

The Slovakia national team regular will have a lot of eyes watching him when he takes the field for Slovakia in South Africa. An impressive performance at the World Cup and he is bound to receive a host of lucrative offers from top European clubs.

It remains to be seen if the extremely talented and skilled midfielder can live up to his expectations and achieve greatness with his exploits at the World Cup.

John Terry: Can He Triumph Over The Scandal?

John Terry was recently in the news for all the wrong reasons. He was alleged to have an affair with the ex-girlfriend of his Chelsea and England colleague, Wayne Bridge.

After the scandal came to light, Bridge, who presently plays for Manchester City, retired from international football, citing his problems in playing alongside Terry.

He refused the Chelsea captain's handshake offer before the Manchester City-Chelsea clash.

John Terry on his part received widespread criticism from the media and sporting world as well. He was stripped of his England captaincy role. His marital life went haywire.

It also had affected his performance, as he made a few slip-ups, resulting in Ancelotti giving him a break.

But John Terry seems to have overcome the scandal as he guided Chelsea to their third Premier League title.

A few errors by Terry have sparked rumours that he has lost his focus as a result of the scandal. So when Terry takes the field donning his national team's jersey, he will have a lot to prove to his critics.

Didier Drogba : Will He Be Able To Steer the Ivorians to Fame?

The 32-year-old Blues' talismanic striker has had his best season so far. He has scored a total of 36 goals in 43 appearances for Chelsea. He has won the Golden Boot in the Premier League, scoring 29 goals in 32 appearances.

The Ivorian hitman has been in top form, and his exploits in front of the goal assisted Chelsea to their third Barclays Premier League title on Sunday. He scored a hat trick in Chelsea's last game against Wigan on Sunday.

The Blues' cruised past Wigan comfortably winning 8-0 as they brought back the Premier League title to Stamford Bridge.

The 2009 African Player of the Year, who is also the captain of his national team, has a lot of responsibilities this year at the World Cup. The African nation has been seeded in a relatively tough group along with Brazil, Portugal and North Korea.

All eyes will be on Didier Drogba and it will be to see if he can score his team to the next rounds of the World Cup.

A solid performance for Ivory Coast and progress from the group stages will be enough to round up Drogba's already wonderful season.

Drogba will have his nation's and well as his admirer's expectations on him when he takes the field in South Africa within a month's time.

Cristiano Ronaldo: Can He Dribble Portugal to Glory?

Presently, the sexiest and one of the top footballers, Cristiano Ronaldo, has had an less-impressive season at Bernabeau.

After his top-class form that saw him earn cult-status in Old Trafford as well as in world football, all eyes will be on the wizard of modern day football.

He has been unable to repeat his Old Trafford exploits for the Los Blancos this season. The onus will be on him to prove his ability at the biggest stage of football.

A solid performance for Portugal and the 25-year-old midfield wizard will have his name engraved alongside other footballing legends.

Sergio Aguero: Has to Prove his Worth in Gold

Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona, and Inter Milan are only a few of the suitors who have expressed their willingness to sign one-of-the-most-talented footballers of his generation.

Sergio "Kun" Aguero, son-in-law of the legendary Diego Maradona, is one of the most skilled strikers in present football world. His exploits for Spanish club Atletico Madrid has earned him a host of admirers around the world.

Argentina, with all their skilled and talented squad have a good chance of winning the World Cup. Aguero has a key role to play. He along with Messi will have the goal-scoring responsibilities of Argentina.

Aguero is a hot transfer prospect this summer with a host of the elite European clubs ready to break the bank for securing his services.

The World Cup will be the stage for Aguero to prove his worth and also give his suitors a taste of what to expect from the 21-year-old Argentine.

Aguero will have his plates full as eyes will on him to see whether he can break out of the shadow of his more famous colleague, Lionel Messi, and earn a place for himself in the list of football's all-time greats.

Robinho: Has to Prove his Critics' Wrong

The 26-year-old Brazilian striker has had a disappointing spell at Manchester City after his high-valued transfer from Real Madrid on 2008. A spate of injuries saw these extremely talented striker warm the bench for most part of the 2009/10 season.

As a result of his absence due to injury he fell down the ranks and was used very negligibly after his recovery. This resulted in Robinho asking for a move away from Eastlands, where he could get regular first-team football.

So in January 2010, he moved back to his home club Santos on a six-month loan spell. He has been very impressive for Santos.

Many of his critics has expressed doubts about whether Robinho can ever return to the form that earned him worldwide respect at Real Madrid.

This World Cup will be Robinho's chance to prove his critics wrong. He will be a key player for the Samba boys and Robinho will have much at stake.

Wayne Rooney: Can Wayne Score England To Glory?

WOW! That should effectively express the performance of Wayne Rooney this season in the English Premier League.

He has been in a goal-scoring spree for the Red Devils with 34 goals this season.

After the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, it was widely feared United would suffer similar to the post-Beckham era. But Rooney abolished any such fears as he came of age to have his best season so far much to the joy of United.

Rooney narrowly missed out to Didier Drogba on the Premier League Golden Boot. But it will be to see if he can score his way to the Golden Boot in the World Cup and also steer his England side to win their World Cup after 44 long years.

England are expected to have their best chance this year for World Cup glory and Rooney is a key figure in securing their chances.

A performance similar to the one for United this season and Rooney will have his name in the World Cup all-time greats' list.

Lionel Messi: Will This Be His World Cup?

With 45 goals and 11 assists in a mere 52 matches, the 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year has deservedly been touted as the next Argentine legend after Diego Maradona.

He has gone from pace to pace with each passing season and it will not be a over-statement if we tell that he can overtake even the greatness achieved by the legendary Maradona.

All eyes on will be on this diminutive baby-faced 22-year-old when the FIFA World Cup kicks off in a months time. With Diego Maradona as their manager and with the likes of Aguero and Di Maria for company, the whole world will be waiting to watch Messi at work.

Lionel Messi has already earned a place for himself in the world's all-time greatest list but if he helps Argentina win the World Cup that would bring him the legendary status associated with his predecessor Maradona.

In the 2006 World Cup he was not used effectively, but this time it will be different. Messi has the world to prove his worth.

If he can win the World Cup with Argentina, that will be the most-respected feather in his already feathered cap.