Spain: Iker Casillas

Around two years ago Iker Casillas was a virtually unknown teenager trying to get recognition among the multi-million pound allstars at Real Madrid.

Now he's probably Spain's top keeper, and boasts Champions League and Primera Liga winner's medals.

Casillas came from nowhere to earn a surprise place in Spain's Euro 2000 squad after a series of scintillating displays for Real Madrid early that year.

Then just 19, he started the year as third choice for Real but a combination of injuries to his rivals for the No. 1 jersey - most notably Germany's Bodo Illgner - gave him his big chance.

He went on to play 27 Primera Liga matches in front of the sticks and conceded only 23 goals - the best ratio of all the league's keepers.

As well as being a key factor in Real's meteoric rise up the table after a sluggish start to the season, Casillas also played a major role in the club's Champions League success.

He was particularly impressive against both Manchester United in the quarter-finals and Bayern Munich in the semis.

In this year’s final he came off the bench to deny Bayer Leverkusen a late equaliser at Hampden to seal Madrid’s victory.

Casillas is a brilliant shot-stopper and a cool head which allow him to recover from his occasional mistakes.

His positional game and command of his area sometimes leave a little to be desired, but he's still a super talent between the posts.

The fact that Santiago Canizares has now been ruled out through injury gives him a chance to cement his position as Spanish number one.