Now you see him, now you don’t.

Jermaine ‘Teddy’ Johnson is such a fast-moving figure on the field of play, that if one dares to blink, you could likely miss his lightning magic.

He’s a master with few peers of the disappearing act on the football field.

The Jamaica midfielder has the rare ability to conjure his spell with the football while maintaining optimum rev on those high velocity feet of his.

He’s so quick, that camera men often have a hard time keeping up with the Sheffield Wednesday star.

Johnson, no doubt, has distinguished himself as an exciting footballer who is fearless in his break-neck runs into the most hostile defensive territories, effortlessly gliding past one lunging tackle after another.

It’s that ability that has made the former Tivoli Gardens midfielder one of the most sought after Jamaican-bred player back in a time when a flurry of clubs jostled for a hold on the exciting player.

Those are the very skills that have made him an irresistible pick for national coaches. They know with one piece of the ‘Teddy’ magic, a game could be crucially tilted in Jamaica’s favour.

At 31 years old and approaching the twilight of his career, Johnson has perhaps his last shot to truly make his mark as an international and to fulfill a lifelong ambition of playing in the World Cup.

And with the Reggae Boyz Brazil 2014 campaign on in earnest, Johnson has put on the war paint.

“I am very serious, If I wasn’t serious, I would even be in the team, and I wouldn’t even try to get back in the team… I want to go to the World Cup and I am positive we have a great chance of getting there,” he said.

“I think we have a good squad, and among the core of players, I think everybody is ready for these games and I think everyone wants to play and want to get to the World Cup as well,” Johnson told the Jamaica Observer.

During the semi-finals of the CONCACAF qualifying tournament, the speedy winger/midfielder did not figure as he was not selected, a decision at the time which puzzled many football watchers.

But as head coach Theodore Whitmore has said, and Johnson has agreed, nothing happens before the time.

“I was disappointed, but like they say, that nothing doesn’t happen before the time, and now that I got my chance I just want to work hard, keep positive and show the coach that I really want to be in the team,” he related.

Johnson was recalled to the Jamaica squad in February 2013, making an appearance in the Boyz’s historic 0-0 draw with Mexico at the Azteca, his first appearance since November 2009. He also made an appearance again as a substitute against Panama in a 1-1 draw at the National Stadium in the ongoing CONCACAF qualifiers.

Johnson, however, was not eligible to play against Mexico at the National Stadium on Tuesday night due to card accumulation.

But it is highly expected that he will figure at some stage in tonight’s match against the USA, also at the National Stadium.

With Jamaica desperate for points to put their Mission To Rio campaign on a solid footing, Johnson noted that the team must focus on three points every time it takes the field.

“We need to just come out firing in every game and try to get the three points. Basically, everyone in the team wants to do well and to get the wins so by the time the games to come things will get right for us,” he argued.

Johnson, with 71 caps and nine goals for Jamaica, hints that the best of him is yet to come and he is desirous to hit that note at the right time for his country.

“I think I can do more, but I still I have time to improve on my game. I think I need to just come out every game and keep running at them and do what I know I can do for the team and the country,” he said.

After having stints with Bolton Wanderer, Oldham Athletic and Bradford City in the English Leagues, Johnson appears settled with League Two Sheffield Wednesday, a storied English club.

“I am satisfied (with my performance), but I was injured for part of the season , but still I came second in the goal-scoring… so I was a bit pleased with myself, but as I have said, I think I could do more. Yes, the coach is satisfied with my performance, but I am not fully satisfied as I think I could have done more for the team,” he outlined.

But as Johnson matures in age and has covered the gamut of the first-class game, he remains a humbled student.

“Every day you learn and every day you can improve, and it doesn’t matter how old you are, you can still improve, so I think there is more in me to come,” he said, with an air of confidence.