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 Andriy Shevchenko
Ukraine | Striker Age: 29 A place in the last eight on their World Cup debut adds up to a successful campaign for Ukraine, but the jury is still out on the performance of their most famous player and talisman. Possibly the greatest natural goalscorer in world football, Shevchenko came into the tournament carrying a minor knee injury and, by the standards of his brilliant eight seasons with AC Milan in Italy, has yet to produce his sharpest form. His early misses against Spain cost Ukraine dear as they went on to lose 4-0, although Shevchenko was on target as Ukraine bounced back with a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia in their next game. He then won and converted the penalty that sealed Ukraine's place in the last 16 against Tunisia. In a dire goalless draw with Switzerland, however, Shevchenko was largely anonymous, even missing in the penalty shootout despite Ukraine's 3-0 success. A legend at AC Milan, Shevchenko led Ukraine through a tricky qualifying group to become the first European side to reach Germany. The former European footballer of the year has had to wait a long time for the chance to play in an international tournament, with the former Soviet republic narrowly denied a place at the last two World Cups by play-off defeats. 
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