There are a tangible host of great things about the World Cup other than just the football on the pitch.  There is the revival of pre-WWI levels of nationalistic fervor (before it became uncool for Germans to yell “We will destroy you!”).  There is an obsession with body painting hot girls in team colors (I’m not posting pics … Google).  There is a highlight of how different cultures celebrate (Africans = vuvuzelas, Brazilians = dance, English= head butting and profanity).  There is watching a third world soccer nation be tore apart with ruthless vigor by an international power (see Germany v. Saudi Arabia 1998, see Portugal v. North Korea 2010).

And there is the chance for as yet undiscovered or un-showcased talent to make a grand splash on the world stage.  Here is a quick list of players that have made an impact on their soccer stock as of the Round 16.  Of course, this is purely in my opinion.  And I’m an idiot.

Stock Up!

Lets see whose stock is on the rise.  These are some of the people that I have watched over the course of a few matches that have jumped out at me.  I’m not looking for big names, i.e. Lionel Messi, but rather talent that shines despite a lack of spotlight.  I’m also looking at players beyond just those that score goals.  There are 10 in all (just for brevity’s sake), but ranked in no particular order.

Thomas Müller (Germany): At only 20 years old, this forward has basically exploded onto the World Cup.  He’s leading the Germans with 3 goals and 3 assists.  Herr Müller utterly destroyed England (along with fellow sensation Mesut Özil) with his pace, off-the-ball running, precision passing, and clinical finishing.  At 6′ 1″ with the skills already mentioned, he’s the prototypical German striker.  All he needs to do is practice the Klinsmann Dive and he’ll be complete.

Seeing that Müller is currently signed with Bayern Munchen, you might wonder why I have him as a rising star (other than the obvious brace against England).  It’s because in FIFA 10, I was able to sign this young forward as a back-up striker for the LA Galaxy.  The LA Galaxy?!?!  Apparently, that’s how low EA Sports considered our young German.  I’m sure in FIFA 11, his stat block will be appropriately modified.

Giovani Dos Santos (Mexico):  It’s no secret that the USA and Mexico don’t like each other in sporting terms, so the fact that I’ve got one of the El Tre listed here should be considered a monumental event.  Firstly, I will look past the fact that Dos Santos looks like a dead ringer for Jaye Davidson from the Crying Game.  This guy has silky smooth touch, not surprising considering he is son of Brazilian great Zizinho, and when deployed on the left wing, he’s been the best player on a talented Mexican team.  He’s been terror against all of their opponents … well, except for Argentina.

The thing that impresses me the most is that players like Dos Santos that have flare and touch normally hold the ball a touch or two too long, but he’s been quite adept at getting rid of the ball at the right time.  His inability to find playing time at his home club of Tottenham should be resolved after his performance in South Africa.

Gervinho (Ivory Coast): Another player in the mold of Dos Santos above.  Gervinho got his opportunity to play because Drogba broke his arm in a friendly against Japan … or I guess you could say he had it broken for him via Karate chop.  Regardless, the Ivorian with the Brazilian nickname got his chance and ran with it.  Ambitious and fearless with the ball at his feet, Gervinho opened up defenses and created opportunities.  It just so happened that the Cote d’Ivoire was in the Group of Death, so I feel the most talented African team did not get a chance to advance.

I have to say one last thing about Gervinho … his braids are the WORST I have seen on a professional athlete ever.  He’s basically bald with a crop of hair from the center of his head ala the Grinch That Stole Christmas.  Someone get him Allen Iverson’s stylist.

Radoslav Zabavnik (Slovakia): Competing in their first World Cup ever, the Slovaks surprised many by advancing out their round into the knockout phase of the tournament with a resounding victory over Italia.  Even though the scoreline was 3-2 the Slovakians dominated the flow of play and created far more quality opportunities than the Azzurri.  And from this very organized defensive squad, Zabavnik jumped out at me.  His tackles were sure-footed and timely and his aerial clearances were consistent.  In addition, Zabavnik played with poise across the back-line where ever and whomever he faced.

Most impressive to me was his composure on the ball, routinely dribbling out of tight situations on the back to avoid a hasty clearance that might concede a corner or near throw.  Plus with a name like Radoslav …

Landon Donovan (USA): You knew I had to include him, right?  Well, of course I did.  As much as his performance in the World Cup as well as his loan to Everton, Donovan has finally rinsed out the bad taste from his two failed stints in Germany.  His was the best player on a gutsy American team, leading the team in scoring (3 goals).  The knock on Landon is that he disappeared at times and that he failed to perform in clutch circumstances.  The performance against Slovenia and later Algeria has erased those doubts.  Now teams are reported lining up to offer him money.  The shortlist of teams that I’ve heard about from my inside sources (i.e. the Internet) is Everton, Man City, and Chelsea.

If so, then I’ll be forced not only to buy a jersey of his future team, but also to start pretending that Bianca Kajlich has more going for her acting career than just a nice pair of personalities.

Jong Tae-Se (North Korea):  This is the North Korean that was openly weeping during the national anthem of the opening game of the World Cup, which was one of the more powerful moments from the first week of the Finals.  At that moment, I decided that I might change my mind about my preformed opinions on this team and their vaunted 8-1-1 formation.  But when I found out that Jong routinely cries during the anthem … and by routine I mean a lot … it soured me just a little bit.  Maybe part of me thought it was time to Cowboy Up just a little bit.

Anyways, most teams that have such little football pedigree come into the World Cup and show such stage fright that some players literally piss their shorts during kick-off.  Not Jong.  He had poise, purpose, and attacking intent despite Kim Jong-Il’s insistence that he be the only North Korean on the other side of the half-line.  Though he plies his trade in Japan, I suspect that Jong will quickly get an opportunity in the West.

Taye Taiwo (Nigeria): I believe the Nigerians were probably the second best African side in the tournament (behind the Ivory Coast) … admittedly I’m biased as I’m related to some Nigerians.  They lost 1-0 to Argentina, but then had a total collapse against Greece for the dumbest red card in the tournament after taking an early lead.  The Super Eagles fought on gamely, but eventually lost 2-1.   They tied an exceptional South Korea side and did not advance.  Anchoring their backline was the impressive Taye Taiwo.  He’s a monster and quite skilled at killing creative play.

I’m sure that his presence would have continued to cancel out the Greek attack in their second group game, but Taiwo was injured and had to be subbed off the field when the game was still tied.  Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to return for the final game.  He’s skilled at getting involved in the attack, but his strength has come with his maturity at focusing his considerable athleticism to his primary duty – defense.

Siphiwe Tshabalala (South Africa):  This team was a sentimental favorite of mine simply because I have some pals that I used to play soccer with back in college from South Africa.  And quite frankly is there another player whose name is more fun to say than Tshabalala?  I say it in traffic when someone cuts me off – Tshabalala!  I say it when I find my lost keys – Ah, Tshabalala!  When I watched the 2009 Confederations Cup, this player jumped out at me.  He’s got pace, an endless motor, and creative runs off the ball.  I decided to keep my eye on him … and what does he do?  He scores the first and arguably the finest goal of the World Cup for Bafana Bafana.

It’s really unfortunate that South Africa did not advance into the second round, but a draw with Mexico and a crushing defeat over France should be considered a victory considering how they were playing leading up to the Finals.  Tshabalala is linked to a move to Europe over the summer, including potentially Wigan and Hannover.

Diego Perez (Uruguay): There have been many fine defenses in the World Cup thus far and Uruguay is certainly among, other than a goalkeeper error on the South Korea goal, they have conceded nothing.  And anchoring their defense from the middle of the pitch is Diego Perez.  He’s truly a work horse for a stingy South American team.  The funny thing is that the Uruguayans have been known for decades as a hard-working, defensive, and ultimately dirty team.  Hard fouls all over the pitch.  The great thing about this incarnation of the national squad is that they have removed their cheap play and replaced it with two of the most exciting forwards in the tournament (see Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez).

Now you may be asking yourself … why have I included Perez?  Because in the R16 game against Mexico, Perez took an elbow to the face.  Bloodied, but not bowed he kept trying to back onto the field despite blood pouring down the side of his face.  That’s a gamer.

Diego Maradona’s Beard (Argentina): Has there been any other figure in the history of the World Cup that has been more expected and predicted to fail other than Maradona as the coach of the Argentines?  I can only think that his level of revilement from the international media is only surpassed by feelings towards the old East German team.  Yet I assure you that it’s Diego that is laughing last.  Argentina are without a doubt either the best team or the second best team in the World Cup so far.  Somehow his combination of body hugs, prayers, and sideline antics has the Argentines poised to make a deep, deep run.  Pele talks trash … Maradona tells him to take his old ass back to the museum.  Platini talks trash and Maradona calls him … French.  You don’t mess with El Diego, homes.

But … that’s not the full reason why El Diego makes the list.  I don’t know of any piece human hair that has ever captured the imagination as much as Maradona’s Beard.  Even more so than the dreadful Ronaldo haircut of the 2002 final.  For Chrissakes, fans are showing up looking like this:

And that is my stock report.