Jérôme Boateng

Jérôme Agyenim Boateng (German pronunciation: [ʒeˈʁoːm bo.aˈtɛŋ]) (born 3 September 1988) is a German footballer who currently plays as a defender for Bayern Munich and the Germany national team. A versatile defender, Boateng primarily is a centre back, although he is a capable full back on either side. Physically strong and composed, he has garnered a reputation as a tough-tackling, defender and is considered to be one of the worlds best at his position

Boateng started his career at Hertha BSC where he developed from the youth ranks to the main team. After his first season at Hertha he soon signed for Hamburger SV and established himself as an integral part of the team, helping Hamburg reach the two consecutive Europa League semi-finals. After an unsuccessful season in England with Manchester City, he joined Bayern in 2011 and has since won domestic and European honours with the club, notably the continental treble in the 2012–13 season.

He played in the Germany U-21 side, which won the 2009 Euro U-21 Championship and was soon promoted to the national side. Boateng has since accumulated over 55 caps and represented Germany at UEFA Euro 2012, 2010 World Cup, and 2014 World Cup. The latter of which he was a key member of his country's victory. He is the younger brother of fellow footballer Kevin-Prince Boateng.

Jerome

Saint Jerome (/dʒəˈroʊm/; Latin: Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus; Greek: Εὐσέβιος Σωφρόνιος Ἱερώνυμος; c.  347 – 30 September 420) was a priest, confessor, theologian and historian, who also became a Doctor of the Church. He was the son of Eusebius, born at Stridon, a village near Emona on the border of Dalmatia and Pannonia, then part of northeastern Italy. He is best known for his translation of most of the Bible into Latin (the translation that became known as the Vulgate), and his commentaries on the Gospels. His list of writings is extensive. The protégé of Pope Damasus I, who died in December of 384, Jerome was known for his teachings on Christian moral life, especially to those living in cosmopolitan centers such as Rome. In many cases, he focused his attention to the lives of women and identified how a woman devoted to Jesus Christ should live her life. This focus stemmed from his close patron relationships with several prominent female ascetics who were members of affluent senatorial families.

Lionel Messi

Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi (Spanish pronunciation: [ljoˈnel anˈdɾes ˈmesi]; born 24 June 1987) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Spanish club Barcelona and the Argentina national team. Often considered the best player in the world and rated by many in the sport as the greatest of all time, Messi is the only football player in history to win the FIFA Ballon d'Or five times, four of which he won consecutively, and the first player to win three European Golden Shoes. With Barcelona he has won seven La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles, as well as three Copa del Rey titles. A prolific goalscorer, Messi holds the records for most goals scored in La Liga (299), a La Liga season (50), a calendar year (91), a Champions League match (five), and most Champions League seasons (five).

Born and raised in central Argentina, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency as a child. At age 13, he relocated to Spain to join Barcelona, who agreed to pay for his medical treatment. After a fast progression through Barcelona's youth academy, Messi made his competitive debut aged 17 in October 2004. Despite being injury-prone during his early career, he established himself as an integral player for the club within the next three years, finishing 2007 as a finalist for both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year award, a feat he repeated the following year. His first uninterrupted campaign came in the 2008–09 season, during which he helped Barcelona achieve the first treble in Spanish football. At 22 years old, Messi won the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year award by record voting margins.

Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos García (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈserxjo ˈramoz ɣarˈθi.a]; born 30 March 1986) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Real Madrid and the Spain national football team. He serves as captain for Real Madrid. A central defender, he can also play as a right back, a position he primarily fulfilled earlier in his career.

After emerging through Sevilla's youth academy, Ramos went on to be a mainstay for Real Madrid. He won ten major honours for the latter, also being one of La Liga's top scorers from a defensive position.

Internationally Ramos played with the Spanish national team in three World Cups and two European Championships, winning the former tournament in 2010 and the latter in 2008 and 2012. He made his first appearance at the age of 18 and, in 2013, he became the youngest player to ever reach 100 caps.

Club career

Sevilla

Born in Camas, Seville, Andalusia, Ramos began his career at local side Sevilla FC, emerging through the club's youth system alongside Jesús Navas and Antonio Puerta. He made his first-team – and La Liga – debut on 1 February 2004, coming on as a 64th-minute substitute for Francisco Gallardo in a 0–1 away loss against Deportivo de La Coruña.