Soccer Star - Marco Reus, German footballer

Marco Reus (German pronunciation: [ˈmaɐ̯koː ˈʁɔʏ̯s]; born 31 May 1989) is a German footballer who plays as a striker or winger for German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and the German national team. He played and scored for Germany at UEFA Euro 2012. Reus is known for his versatility, speed and technique.

Reus spent his youth career at Borussia Dortmund, prior to leaving for Rot Weiss Ahlen. He has played for three club in his senior career, most notably, and with most influence, in Borussia Monchengladbach of the German Bundesliga. Reus's primary position is right winger; however, he is capable of playing on both flanks and through the middle, due to his ability to control the ball with both feet. 2012 was his most successful season when, scoring 18 and assisting 8, he helped Borussia Monchengladbach secure a place in the following season's UEFA Champions League. He agreed a move to his home club Borussia Dortmund at the end of that season. He will wear number 11, previously worn by Mario Götze.

Reus was born in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. He began to play football for his hometown club Post SV Dortmund in 1994 and joined the youth ranks of Borussia Dortmund in 1996. He played for Borussia Dortmund until he left for the U-19 of Rot Weiss Ahlen in the summer of 2006. During his first year there the attacking midfielder was featured in five games for the club's second team which played in the Westphalia league at the time. He scored a goal in each of his first two games. The following year he was able to break into Ahlen's first team which played in the German third division at the time. He started twice and was featured in 14 matches, scoring two times. One of his goals came on the last day of the season and helped his team being promoted to the 2. Bundesliga.

In 2008–09, the then 19 year old had his definitive breakthrough as a professional football player. He played in 27 games and scored four times. On 25 May 2009, he signed a four-year contract with Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach.

On 28 August 2009 Reus scored his first Bundesliga goal in a game against FSV Mainz after a 50m solo run, and since then became a prolific goalscorer for his club under Lucien Favre.

At the start of the 2011–12 season, Reus began the season in fine form scoring seven goals in twelve matches. Reus' contract with Gladbach was set to expire in 2015 and reportedly had a buy-out clause of €18 million.

On 4 January 2012, Reus signed with his former club Borussia Dortmund, for a transfer fee of €17.5 million, on a five year deal that will keep him at the club until July 2017. Reus rejoined Dortmund on 1 July 2012.

In August 2012, Reus scored a goal in a 2-1 win for Borussia Dortmund against Werder Bremen.

Soccer Star - Stephan El Shaarawy, Italian professional footballer

Stephan El Shaarawy (born 27 October 1992 in Savona, Italy) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Serie A club Milan. He is a current member of the Italy U21 national team.

Born in Savona to an Egyptian father and an Italian mother, El Shaarawy joined regional Serie A club Genoa at the age of thirteen.

On 21 December 2008, when he was 16 years and 55 days old, he made his first team debut, playing ten minutes in a Serie A away match against Chievo, becoming the fourth youngest player in the history of Serie A. It was his only appearance of the season despite making the bench many times.

In June 2010 he was loaned out to Padova for the 2010–11 Serie B season. In his loan period at Padova, he quickly emerged as a key element for the team, leading the Venetian club to the promotion playoff finals where they then lost to Novara.

On 25 June 2011, El Shaarawy signed for Serie A giants Milan.

On the 18th September 2011, Stephan made his debut with Milan at the Stadio San Paolo in a 3-1 loss to Napoli in Serie A. Three days later, after coming on as a substitute for the injured Alexandre Pato, he scored his first goal for the club, earning his team a 1-1 draw at home against Udinese. In his first six months at Milan, he made a total of seven appearances (only 175 minutes of playing time) leading to reports in the media that he may be loaned out for more playing time to help his progression. However a decision was made between Galliani (the director of Milan), Allegri (the current coach) and himself to stay at the club for the near future. It was then that his performances for Milan began to improve and have led him to becoming one of the most highly rated youngsters in Italy.

Soccer Star - Nick Powell, English professional footballer

 

Nicholas Edward "Nick" Powell (born 23 March 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United. He has also represented England at a variety of youth levels, most recently as part of the Under-19 team. He began his career at Crewe Alexandra, initially as a forward, making his debut at the age of 16. After impressing for the Cheshire team during the 2011–12 season, including scoring in their 2–0 victory in the League Two play-off Final, he sealed a move to Manchester United in the summer of 2012.

Powell joined Manchester United from Crewe Alexandra on 1 July 2012 in a deal reported to be worth up to £6 million, depending on success and appearances. He was allocated the number 25 shirt previously worn by Antonio Valencia, who took the number 7 shirt. It is also the same shirt number that he had worn at Crewe. Speaking about the signing, manager Sir Alex Ferguson stated: "We have scouted Nick for months now. He is an exceptional talent and has been schooled well at Crewe. I’m delighted he has chosen to come to United. He has a lot to offer and we are all looking forward to working with him." After the move was finalised, Powell called it a "dream come true". 

On 21 July 2012, Powell played his first match for United, coming on as a second-half substitute in a pre-season friendly against Ajax Cape Town in South Africa. Four days later, he made his first start for Manchester United in a pre-season friendly match against Shanghai Shenhua. He made his Premier League debut against Wigan Athletic, coming on as a substitute for Ryan Giggs in the 71st minute, and scoring in the 82nd.

 

Soccer Star - Alexander Büttner, Dutch footballer

Alexander Büttner (born 11 February 1989) is a Dutch footballer who plays for Manchester United.

His first goal of the 2008–09 season was in a home game against FC Volendam, which Vitesse won 3–1.

On 7 May 2012, Büttner was named in the provisional list of 36 players for the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament, one of nine uncapped players to be chosen by Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk as part of the preliminary squad.

On 6 July 2012, Vitesse agreed a fee with Southampton over the transfer of Büttner to the Premier League club, subject to a medical. The proposed move to Southampton was subsequently halted "due to an unspecified 'demand' from an unnamed third party"; this is believed to be a claim for a percentage of the transfer fee.

On 21 August 2012, Büttner signed a five-year contract with Manchester United. He was given the number 28 shirt. Büttner made his league debut on 15 September 2012, assisting the second and scoring the third goal, in a 4–0 home win against Wigan Athletic.

Soccer Star - Mirko Vučinić, Montenegrin footballer

Mirko Vučinić (Montenegrin: Mиpкo Bучинић, pronounced [mîːrkɔ ʋǔtʃinitɕ]; born 1 October 1983) is a Montenegrin footballer who plays as a striker for Serie A club Juventus. Originally from the city of Nikšić, Vučinić found himself playing for the local team there during his early teen years. He quickly caught the attention of Pantaleo Corvino, the sporting director of the Italian football club Lecce and was transferred to Lecce in the summer of 2000. Between 2000 and 2006, Mirko played for Lecce as they moved between Serie A and B. His most impressive season was 2004–05, where the then 21-year-old netted 19 goals in 28 games while Lecce was in Serie A.

On the international stage, Vučinić played for the Serbia and Montenegro under-21 team, with a notable performance against the under-21 Croatian team in 2005, where he scored three goals. Due to injury, he was unable to represent Serbia and Montenegro at the FIFA World Cup in 2006. Following the split of Serbia and Montenegro in spring of 2006, Vučinić chose to represent Montenegro. He participated in Montenegro's World Cup 2010 qualifying stage, where he contributed two goals. Vučinić also scored two goals for Montenegro in their qualifying stages of the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying matches.

Vučinić can slot into any role up in attack, but is often deployed as a left or right winger, centre-forward or as a deep lying striker. He is revered for his creativity, dribbling, speed and the ability to score goals from both feet.

Fresh Soccer Star - Santiago Arias, Colombian footballer

 

Santiago Arias Naranjo (born 13 January 1992 in Medellín, Colombia) is a Colombian footballer who plays for Sporting Clube de Portugal B, and can either operate as a right defender or right midfielder.

Santiago Arias was part of Colombia U17 team who finished fourth in the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, playing all matches (except third place match, making a total of 6 appearances) and scoring the first penalty during quarter-final penalty shoot-out against Turkey.

In 2011, Santiago Arias played all 9 matches for Colombia U20 team when they finished sixth in the 2011 South American Youth Championship. Eduardo Lara, Colombia's coach, also called him for the 2011 Toulon Tournament where Arias, who started all 5 matches, was part of Colombia's team that reached and won the final.