Cape Town - Highlights from the past decade in the world of soccer as South Africa prepare to play hosts to the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Player of the decade:

After a roller-coaster decade for Ronaldo de Assis Moreira of Brazil, Ronaldinho, as he is better known, has emerged as the best player of the first 10 years of the 21st century.

One of a handful of players to win both the World Cup (Brazil 2002) and the Champions League (Barcelona 2006) during the decade, he was FIFA's World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005, European Footballer of the Year in 2005 and at his peak was almost unplayable, continually creating and scoring outstanding goals for club and country.

Defining moment:

FIFA's 2004 decision to award the 2010 World Cup finals to South Africa was not only a momentous one for soccer but also marked a huge turning point in the painful, troubled history of South Africa itself.

Nelson Mandela, who was imprisoned for 27 years under the apartheid regime before becoming the new "rainbow nation's" president, held the World Cup aloft in Zurich after FIFA president Sepp Blatter made the announcement. FIFA's decision to put their faith in Africa to host the finals looks like it will be repaid when they take place next June and July, although some sceptics remain unconvinced.

Match of the decade:

Thousands of dramatic matches were played throughout the decade but none matched that which unfolded on May 25, 2005, in Istanbul when Liverpool and AC Milan met to decide the 50th winners of the European Cup. It was the final of two halves played in the city that spans two continents and a match that began late on one day and finished in the early hours of the next.

Milan established a 3-0 lead at half-time and seemingly had the game won before Liverpool came back with three goals in six minutes early in the second half to force a 3-3 draw after extra time and then win 3-2 on penalties.

REVIEW: Decade in Golf

REVIEW: Decade in Cricket

REVIEW: Decade in Athletics

REVIEW: Decade in Cycling

REVIEW: Decade in Swimming

REVIEW: Decade in Boxing

REVIEW: Decade in Rugby

REVIEW: Decade in Tennis