MADRID (Reuters) - Penpix of Spain's 23-man squad for the World Cup in South Africa: 1-Iker Casillas (Real Madrid). Goalkeeper. Born May 20 1981. Caps 103. Goals 0. The undisputed first choice, captain Casillas is one of the world's best goalkeepers. A brilliant shot stopper, but occasionally suspect under high balls, he has had some uncharacteristic lapses at club level this season. 23-Pepe Reina (Liverpool). Goalkeeper. Born Aug. 31 1982. Caps 209. Goals 0. The second-choice keeper, Reina rarely gets a look-in but has performed well when called upon. A popular figure in the dressing room, he famously grabbed the microphone and acted as comedy compere at Spain's Euro 2008 victory celebrations. 12-Victor Valdes (Barcelona). Goalkeeper. Born Jan. 14 1982. Caps 1. Barcelona's number one has ironed out the howlers to become La Liga's best goalkeeper over the last two seasons. Another great shot-stopper, he excels in distribution from the back and is an important feature of Barca's patient play. 15-Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid). Defender. Born March 30 1986. Caps 59. Goals 5. Powerful first-choice right back but can also play in central defence. He loves to get forward but can be tactically suspect. He is not short of belief in his own abilities and is a potent goal-scoring threat from set pieces. 17-Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid). Defender. Born Jan. 17 1983. Caps 14. Goals 0. A clean-cut and steady full back, comfortable on both sides of the defence, though normally plays at left back with his club. Played up front as a youngster and can be surprisingly skilful in front of goal. A good utility player. 2-Raul Albiol (Real Madrid). Defender. Born Sept. 4 1985. Caps 23. Goals 0. Has blossomed at Real since moving from Valencia last year. Quick and good in the air, he played the earlier part of his career in midfield and is comfortable with the ball at his feet. 5-Carles Puyol (Barcelona). Defender. Born April 13 1978. Caps 82. Goals 2. The shaggy-haired Barca defender has been at the heart of Spain's defence for a decade. He is constantly shouting out instructions but has a tendency to dive in and gives himself little margin for error. Usually plays at centre half or as a right back. 3-Gerard Pique (Barcelona). Defender. Born Feb. 2 1987. Caps 15. Goals 4. A commanding presence in the centre of defence, he is never happier than when joining the attack as an auxiliary striker chasing late goals. Has great timing in the tackle and is an astute passer. Likely to partner Barca team mate Puyol at the back. 4-Carlos Marchena (Valencia). Defender. Born July 31 1979. Caps 58. Goals 2. Every team needs a "Mister Nasty" and Marchena's experience and abrasive on-field persona fit the bill perfectly. An incurable wind-up merchant, he is just as happy playing the holding role in midfield as centre-back. 11-Joan Capdevila (Villarreal). Defender. Born Feb. 3 1978. Caps 44. Goals 4. A reliable and experienced left back, he has been Vicente del Bosque's choice for the position during qualifying. Likes to get forward and is an effective crosser. 8-Xavi (Barcelona). Midfielder. Born Jan. 25 1980. Caps 85. Goals 8. Midfield orchestrator Xavi has set new standards for a central playmaker over the past three seasons, leading Spain to victory at Euro 2008 and Barca to an unprecedented six trophies in 2009. Spain's hopes of a first World Cup will rest squarely on the peerless playmaker's broad shoulders. 14-Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid). Midfielder. Born Nov. 25 1981. Caps 68. Goals 8. The hard-tackling Alonso has had a decent first season at Real following his move from Liverpool without really stamping his authority on the side. Gives Xavi the space to perform. 6-Andres Iniesta (Barcelona). Midfielder. Born May 11 1984. Caps 42. Goals 6. A hugely-gifted ballplayer, Iniesta epitomises Barca's swift, counter-attacking style. After his stunning winner against Chelsea in last season's Champions League semi-final, has had a relatively quiet season, suffering several niggling injuries and scoring only one goal. 10-Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal). Midfielder. Born May 4 1987. Caps 49. Goals 5. A quick passer, a commanding presence on the ball and a threat from anywhere around the box, it seems incredible that Cesc is not an automatic starter. Like Xavi and Iniesta a product of the Barca youth set-up, he joined Arsenal as a 16-year-old and has thrived after winning a fast-track promotion into the first team. 16-Sergio Busquets (Barcelona). Midfielder. Born Feb. 2 1987. Caps 12. Goals 0. Another player who learned his trade in the Barca youth ranks, Busquets has similar passing and distribution ability to Xavi, Iniesta and Fabregas and is a tenacious ball-winner. A tendency to go down too easily has got him into trouble at times this season. 21-David Silva (Valencia). Midfielder. Born Jan. 8 1986. Caps 35. Goals 6. A tricky and pacy left-footer, Silva has developed a lethal partnership with striker Villa and is more than capable of finding the net when not teeing up goals up for his team mate. 20-Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao). Midfielder. Born Sept. 2 1988. Caps 2. The biggest surprise in Del Bosque's final squad, Martinez was preferred to Villarreal's Marcos Senna. A silky, yet combative player. 7-David Villa (Barcelona). Forward. Born Dec. 3 1981. Caps 57. Goals 37. Villa's goal-scoring record for Spain speaks for itself. Top scorer at Euro 2008 despite missing the final through injury, the speedy Asturian is lethal with both feet and in the air and rarely misses from the penalty spot. Now at Barcelona after a long spell at Valencia, who agreed to take 40 million euros ($48.75 million) for the striker. 9-Fernando Torres (Liverpool). Forward. Born March 20 1984. Caps 72. Goals 23. Scorer of the goal against Germany that fired Spain to Euro 2008 glory, Torres is racing to recover from knee surgery in time for the finals. Will need to be at full fitness as his game thrives on raw power and acceleration. 13-Juan Mata (Valencia). Forward. Born April 28 1988. Caps 8. Goals 3. Another left-footer, Mata has become a key part of Valencia's pacy attacking line, linking well with Villa and Silva, and has shown a cool head under pressure. 19-Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao). Forward. Born March 23 1985. Caps 7. Goals 3. The hulking Basque striker is every defender's worst nightmare and if Spain are chasing the game he would be an ideal option to throw into the fray and shake things up. Excellent in the air, he has impressed in his five appearances. 22-Jesus Navas (Sevilla). Forward. Born Nov. 21 1985. Caps 5. Goals 1. A zippy winger and the bane of many a left back, Navas has taken his rightful place in the squad after shaking off the anxiety attacks that stopped him travelling too far from his Andalucian home. 18-Pedro (Barcelona). Forward. Born July 28 1987. Caps 2. Pressure for Del Bosque to call up the versatile Pedro increased after he scored in all six competitions Barca have contested this season. His ability to net vital goals against top-class opposition could earn him more caps fast. (Editing by Jon Bramley; To query or comment on this story email [email protected])
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