Moore - the greatest defender of them all (Allsport).

By Damian Spellman, PA Sport

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The latest generation of England and Brazil stars will go into battle in the Far East on Friday with the biggest prize of all at stake.

Both countries will need their big players to turn in heroic displays if they are to triumph and join their respective halls of fame.

ENGLAND - FIVE OF THE BEST

Bobby Moore

The only Englishman ever to lift the World Cup, Moore did so in 1966 to delay Brazil's surge to a third successive title.

A cultured defender who perhaps reached his peak with his performance against Pele in the finals tournament in Mexico four years later, he was his country' most-capped player until goalkeeper Peter Shilton overtook his total of 108.

Bobby Charlton

Another member of the backbone of the England side which topped the world in 1966, Charlton remains his country's leading scorer of all time, plundering 49 goals from midfield in 106 appearances.

The Manchester United legend was the lynchpin in Sir Alf Ramsey's side and made the best use of a vicious shot both for club and country in a glittering career.

Bryan Robson

England's inspirational captain for so long, Robson was the heartbeat of the team for more than a decade, only a succession of injuries denying him the chance to add to the 90 caps he collected.

Strong in the tackle, good in the air and fearless throughout, he also contributed 26 goals including a World Cup Finals strike against France after just 27 seconds in 1982.

Gary Lineker

The man whose goals helped to fire England within touching distance of the final for a second time in 1990, Lineker's pace and eye for a chance made him one of the most feared strikers in the game.

He scored 48 times in 80 appearances for his country before his international career drew to a controversial close at the European Championship Finals in Sweden in 1992.

David Beckham

Whatever happens on Friday, Beckham will return to England a hero after not only scoring the penalty which saw his side beat Argentina but confirming his rehabilitation from the disaster in France '98.

A supremely talented footballer, he has matured in the last four years to the extent that he is an automatic choice as captain and an inspiration to his team-mates.

BRAZIL - FIVE OF THE BEST

Pele

Perhaps the greatest player of his or any other generation, Pele took world football by storm in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s at the helm of a side which swept all before it.

Quick, powerful, skilful and clinical in front of goal, he scored 1,281 career goals in 1,361 games and played his part in Brazil's first three World Cup triumphs.

Garrincha

Widely regarded as the greatest right-winger his country has ever produced, Garrincha picked up World Cup winners' medals in 1958 and 1962 and was never on the losing side when he lined up alongside Pele.

His achievements were all the more remarkable as he conquered congenital problems with his legs as a child, although the man known as the Songbird died tragically early at the age of 49 as his life fell apart after retirement.

Jairzinho

Born Jair Ventura Filho on Christmas Day, 1944, Jairzinho scored in every round of the 1970 World Cup Finals to set a new record.

He eventually replaced Garrincha, his hero, with whom he played in the 1966 finals, winning 80 caps in total.

Zico<

Despite his outstanding talent, Zico - full name Artur Antunes Coimbra - never won the World Cup in three attempts in 1978, 1982 and 1986.

He was three times named South American Footballer of the Year and was World Footballer of the Year in 1983.

Ronaldo

Another supremely talented Brazilian, Ronaldo has been likened to Pele for the way he burst on to the international scene as a teenager.

A prolific goalscorer, he has been hampered by serious injuries in recent years, but has time on his side to erase the memory of the illness which many believe cost his side the chance of beating hosts France in the final of the 1998 tournament.