FIFA World Cup 2010: Top Five Underperforming Star Players

The quarterfinals are finished and the semifinal fixtures have been fixed. Now, with only four teams left to compete for the honors in the race for the player of the tournament, things are getting exciting.

In this slideshow we will take a look into five star players who performed below their potential during the World Cup so far.

Kaka: Worthless Value

The highly paid Brazilian play-maker was really a poor performer in the World Cup. His form was in complete shambles during Brazil's campaign.

Apart from a few shots and passes, he just was a shadow on the field. The 28 year old Real Madrid midfielder was linked with a record breaking move to Chelsea. But after his pathetic displays both for club and country this season it seems Chelsea have shelved their plans.

Kaka's performance has been a complete dampener in this World Cup and he has surely lost a considerable amount of value and respect on the international stage.

Fernando Torres

The talismanic Liverpool striker returned from injury before the World Cup. But his performances have been really questionable.

He has yet to hit top form and presents a lonesome figure on the pitch. He is lacking concentration and that is the reason for his failure to convert opportunities in front of the goal.

With Liverpool on the verge of being sold and his future yet uncertain, Torres' performances in the World Cup will really affect his suitors' decisions.

Wayne Rooney: Wazaa Forgot His Scoring Boots Back Home?

He was the jointly in the race for this season's EPL Golden Boot and in scintillating form.

He was touted as the player who could fulfill England's World Cup dreams. He was the champion of the English dream of a 1966 repeat. But Rooney failed to fulfill any of those expectations as England was thrashed out of the World Cup by Germany.

He looked like a completely different player in English colours and his individual brilliance was nowhere to be seen.

Manchester United's prime attacking option was a complete waste. He failed to receive passes clearly and looked like a completely different player, for the bad, from the one seen in the EPL this season.

Frank Ribery: Left his Skills Back in Germany

Bayern Munich's highly pursued midfielder was in scintillating form the past season. Europe's top clubs were in hot pursuit to sign him for next season and Bayern had to put an exorbitant price tag on their star to ward off interest.

Later on, Ribery signed a new deal at Bayern and was expected by many to be France's savior in the World Cup. But earlier this year he was embroiled in a scandal regarding under-age prostitutes.

That might have affected him as Ribery failed to fulfill the high standards expected from him. He made some good moves and looked his usual self at times, but that was only during a very minor time span.

He failed to make clear passes to his teammates as well as keep possession. The interested clubs might have reconsidered their decisions after watching his performance in the World Cup.

Robin Van Persie: What Has Happened to Him?

Arsenal and the Netherland's first-choice striker Robin Van Persie's performance in this World Cup has been really under-par.

He has completely underperformed in this World Cup so far. He lacks the sharpness and predatory instincts that characterize his style of play. Van Persie has never looked that threatening in any match.

His failure to convert chances has earned him enough criticism already but he has yet to improve his performance. With the Dutch booking themselves a semifinal berth it is time for Van Persie to get his form back soon enough if he really wants to help his nation's bid to be World Champions.