Louisa Necib

Sport: Soccer

Nation: France

DOB: January 23, 1987

Hometown: Marseille

Career Highlights: Necib broke out on the international stage last year at the FIFA World Cup, leading France to a fourth-place finish - its best showing ever at a major tournament. Individually, she was named to the World Cup All-Star team, and now will be looking for a medal after helping France qualify for its first Olympics. Necib is considered one of the world's best playmakers despite her size. She possesses impressive versatility, making her capable of playing anywhere in the attacking midfield while also being used as a withdrawn forward. Due to a combination of Algerian heritage with a skill set highlighted by vision, technical ability and on-the-ball talent, she’s drawn comparisons to legendary France midfielder Zinadine Zidane. She has 15 goals in 77 games for the national team, but is much better known for setting up scoring chances for others. That said, she has 86 goals in 200 games at the club level, helping Lyon to four league titles, one cup championship and another Champions League crown. Her efforts were rewarded in 2009 as France's Female Player of the Year.

Olympic History: None