Goal Drought Hits Superstars

 Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Kaka

Superstars have failed to deliver goals at the 2010 World Cup with Kaka, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo  and Wayne Rooney managing just on between them.

And that came softly to Ronaldo three minutes from time in Cape Town as Portugal tore hapless North Korea to shreds in the most one- sided match.

Rooney flew home with his disgraced England teammates after failing to score in four matches and maintaining a sad record of never netting at the showcase of internationalfootball. 

Brazil midfielder Kaka came to South Africa after months of thigh - injury concerns and instead of celebrationf his goals was sent off against the Ivory Coast.

Argenitna coach Diego Maradona has junped ot the defence of Messi, who has dome just about everything except score as his team stormed into the last eight with 10-goal haul. "As soon as Messi gets the ball they want to kick him. It is a scandal", complained 1986 world cup winner Maradona who knows a thing or two about rough treatment from his won playing days.

Rooney and Ronaldo have been the biggest diasppointments with Portugal also out off the contention after losing anIberian derby against Spain in Cape Town to a David Villa goal. "I feel a broken man, disconsolate, frustated and an unimaginable sadness," confessed the Portugese captian after a match in which his continuous apeal for free kicks were ignored.

Ronaldo showed little of the menace Real Madrid valued at 94m euros when they lured hi from Manchester United with his once lethal free kicks barely troubling Spain. He also offered little encouragement to teammates after so engrossed in his personal misery that lifting sinking morale was not a priority.

But Ronaldo was not conceded a millimetre in post match comments: "I am the captain of Portugal and I have always assumed and will assume my responsibilities," he snapped.

Coach Dunga wants goals from Kaka not yellow and red cards with another caution against Chile placing him in danger of a further suspension with the quarter-finals kicking off on friday. "The technical footvallers are being punished at this World cup and those who commit fouls are no," moaned the 1994 World Cup-winning captain and midfield enforcer Dunga.