AGUSTIN DELGADO - ECUADOR

Date of birth: Dec. 23, 1974
Birthplace: Ibarra, Ecuador
Club: LDU Quito (Ecuador)
Position: Striker
International debut: August 1994 vs. Peru

He doesn't garner the same headlines as Brazil's Ronaldo or Hernan Crespo of Argentina, but Ecuador's Agustin Delgado is one of the most potent strikers in South American soccer.

The 31-year-old displays great strength and power, and is a lethal finisher once he gets inside the penalty area. Delgado played a major role in Ecuador's qualifying campaign, scoring five goals to help his country earn a second consecutive World Cup berth.

Plagued by injury problems this past year, Delgado, nicknamed Tin Man, will lead Ecuador's attack up front in Germany, using his strength and skills in the air to beat defenders. He also has extra motivation to play well — he plans to retire from the national team after the World Cup.

An icon in Ecuador, Delgado is one of those rare players who has achieved far more success for his national team than at club level.

Delgado began his career in Ecuador's top division with El Nacional in 1995 and, after a successful season there, he moved on to Barcelona Guayaquil. However, it wasn't until Delgado left Ecuador and joined Mexican side Necaxa in 1998 that he really came into his own.

Delgado enjoyed a very successful four-season spell in Mexico, scoring bags of goals and finishing as the league's top scorer in 2000.

Success in Mexico earned him a moved to Southampton in 2001 when he became the first Ecuadorian to play in the English Premiership. His English spell was a disaster, however, as injuries limited him to just a handful of games in three seasons with Southampton.

Even though he was not 100 per cent healthy, Delgado still played for his country at the 2002 World Cup — he was the top scorer in South American qualifying with nine goals — but could only score one goal in Japan before Ecuador bowed out in the first round.

Delgado was eventually released by Southampton in 2004 and since then he has played in Mexico with UNAM Pumas, and Barcelona Sporting Club and LDU Quito back in Ecuador.

Despite his injury problems and uneven form the last few years, Delgado remains a key figure for Ecuador — he's the country's all-time leading scorer — and will be gunning to show the world he is still a dangerous goal scorer in Germany.