Position: Midfielder
Born: 17.11.73
Club: Bayer Leverkusen

Every country needs a consistent performer to win a World Cup and this year Bernd Schneider is perhaps the man to carry that mantle for Germany.

Although 'Schnix' had an inconsistent start to his international career which began at the 1999 Confederations Cup, he has become a prominent figure in the set-up since his impressive World Cup performances in Japan/Korea.

The 32-year-old's main assets are his close control and playmaking abilities but his flair and unpredictable style also perplexes his opponents.

But the versatile midfielder, who joined Bayer Leverkusen from Eintracht Frankfurt in 1999, has also been used as a defender at his club over the years and this all-round nature could prove extremely useful for Jurgen Klinsmann.

After signaling his intention to end his playing days at the BayArena when his contract expires in 2009, this could be Schneider's last World Cup (he will be 36 in 2008) but expect to see some inspired performances from this veteran as he seeks to fulfill his ambition of holding football's most coverted trophy.