Fredy Guarin

When The Guardian, a British daily newspaper, asked its readers to vote for the best goal of the 2010--2011 European soccer season, one score emerged as the overwhelming favorite. That goal, a blast unleashed by F.C. Porto midfielder Fredy Guarín in a match against Marítimo, found the back of the net from an incredible 40 yards out. The stunning tally caused many European fans to take note, for the first time, of the versatile young player. In Colombia, where he was born in the town of Puerto Boyacá in 1986, the goal cemented Guarín's status as a soccer idol. Guarín's future seems bright indeed. In 2012 he moved to the powerhouse Inter Milan club. And many observers expect him to play a major role in Colombia's bid for the 2014 World Cup.