World Cup 2002 - Player to watch: Tristán Tristán

Full name: Diego Tristán Herrera
Date of birth: 5 January 1976
Club: Deportivo La Coruña

Where there is Diego Tristán, a goal is never far away. And they come in twos and threes when he is on his best form. Tristán is Spain's top scorer - the Pichichi of 2001/02.

Born in Sevilla, he started his professional career with Betis B. After two seasons at Mallorca, where he was promoted to their first team in the second year, he moved to Deportivo La Coruña in 2000 after a move to Real Madrid was frustrated by a change of president.

Tristán owes much of his success to Deportivo's coach Irureta who keeps his sometimes fractious temperament under control. And by his astute player rotation system he has also drawn the best out of Tristán.

A naturally talented striker capable of making a goal out of nothing, his strikes are more likely to come in spectacular style from the edge of the area rather than close up. He may still be a bit nervous on big occasions, but we hope he will explode onto the World Cup stage this summer.

World Cup 2002