A few at every World Cup play themselves into their own spotlight.

Some, like Brazil's Ronaldo four years ago or France's Zinedine Zidane in 1998, already are multimillionaire superstars.

Brazil's Ronaldo (R) battles for the ball with Australia's Craig Moore during their Group F World Cup 2006 soccer match in Munich June 18, 2006. [Reuters]

For lesser names, a stellar show could mean a new tax bracket.

U.S. defender Alexi Lalas scored a contract in Italy's Serie A based on his play at the 1994 World Cup. Frankie Hejduk, one of the few bright spots on a dismal 1998 U.S. team, jumped from Major League Soccer to Germany's Bundesliga. South Korea's surprising run to the semifinals four years ago sent midfielders Lee Young-pyo and Park Ji-sung to Europe.

Though this World Cup's first round isn't over, there's already talk Poland goalkeeper Artur Boruc's spectacular stops against Germany might have earned him an even better job that playing with Celtic in Scotland. Americans Oguchi Onyewu and Clint Dempsey could find themselves on the move, too -- Onyewu from the Belgian league to one of Europe's biggies and Dempsey from MLS to Europe.

"There's no question that the World Cup provides a platform unlike any other where a player can elevate himself to the level of stardom," said agent Roy Messing, whose Global Sport Group's clients include Brazil and Real Madrid star Roberto Carlos. "A winning goal in a semifinal, a stellar game in a quarterfinal -- it's like nothing else."

And the players know it.

This is the world's biggest sporting event and a rare chance for those who live and play outside of Europe to showcase their talents. They're well aware how a good show could change their lives.

Take Angola. The country is still staggering from 27 years of civil war, and those who play domestically earn about $500 a month. Compare that to England's Premier League, where the average annual salary is $1.2 million.

"We all hope that football can help us to have better lives and better professions," said Angolan defender Jamba, who supports 10 of his family members on his salary from ASA in Angola. "For sure, being in a better club would help me and my family."

So, too, do those bonuses.

If South Korea reaches the second round, eight players who haven't already served their mandatory 26 months in the military will be exempt. Each of Iran's players would have gotten a brand-new Peugeot had their team not been eliminated.

Then there are the cash bonuses.

Each of the 32 teams in this year's tournament is guaranteed $5.7 million from FIFA. The federations decide how -- or whether -- to divvy it up.

That was the source of Togo's travails.

Page:

1

2

3