Still only 21, Giovani Dos Santos is one of the most famous faces in the Mexico squad. 'Gio' burst on to the scene aged 16 when he showed prodigious technique and vision in helping Mexico to victory in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Peru in 2005. His contribution earned him second place in the voting for the adidas Golden Ball behind Brazil's Anderson.
He gained similar recognition at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada two years later, and was voted the tournament's third-best player after his Mexico side lost narrowly to eventual champions Argentina in the quarter-finals.
By then, Giovani was already a first-team player at Barcelona. He joined the Catalan giants at just 14 after impressing scouts at a youth tournament when playing for his hometown club Monterrey. Thereafter, he rose through the youth ranks at Barcelona, until Frank Rijkaard handed him his debut in the 2007/08 season.
However, the youngster did not enjoy the success he would have wished for in Spain and after 37 games and four goals for the Blaugrana, he accepted a transfer to English club Tottenham Hotspur in 2008. Unfortunately for the Mexican, Juande Ramos, the manager who signed him, lasted just two months in the job, before making way for Harry Redknapp. Giovani did not fit in the new man's plans and went out on loan to Ipswich Town in England’s second tier.
He was an instant hit during his three-month loan at Ipswich and left a real mark with his explosive talent, hitting four goals in eight league games. After a fleeting return to the bench at White Hart Lane, Giovani headed out of Tottenham once more in January 2010, this time to team up with his old mentor Rijkaard at Galatasaray. And after an uncertain start, the Mexican earned a starting role with the Istanbul club, displaying his speed, dribbling skills and goal-making abilities.
Giovani has also taken time to find his feet on the international stage. He came under fire from the critics during Sven-Goran Eriksson's time in charge, when the Swede kept him in the team even though he was struggling for form. Yet things picked up with the arrival of Javier Aguirre as coach. The young forward has recovered his poise and become a key cog in the Tricolor machine.
He produced some outstanding displays in Mexico's victorious CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign last July, scoring twice and earning the award for best player. He then shone in the 3-0 FIFA World Cup qualifying win in Costa Rica in September, where he again found the opposition net.
Giovani may have struggled to make a notable impact with the clubs he has played for but there is no questioning he has talent. He has explosive pace, wonderful vision and a powerful shot, qualities Mexican fans will hope to see in abundance when he takes his first steps on the game's biggest stage in June.
