Soccer Stories Of The Year: Not Even Sepp Blatter Can Overshadow Landon Donovan, Lionel Messi, Spain In 2010

The World Cup always brings soccer to the forefront, and for those fans who only tune into the game every four years, soccer used it's 2010 stage to build icons. Thanks to Spain, Lionel Messi and Landon Donovan, record numbers of television viewers have reason to persist with the sport into 2011.

6 months ago: JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 11: A general view of the stadium as the teams line up for the national anthems prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Final match between Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City Stadium on July 11 2010 in Johannesburg South Africa. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

By Richard Farley - Soccer Editor