In every World Cup, there is a gathering of world famous footballers. With their footballing skills and experiences they are very much keen to write their names in the history. In this very campaign the ages can’t restrain them to win the glory. Today, Sporty Ghost brings you some of the greats with ages , whose history with football continues in FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil.
1. Didier Drogba ( Age: 36, country: Ivory Coast)
Since 2002, the Ivory Coast International, Didier Drogba has captained his national side from 2006. He is the nation’s all- time top goalscorer with 63 goals in 99 appearances. In 2006 FIFA World Cup, he led Ivory Coast to their first appearance in the tournament and he also scored his first goal. Later in the next World Cup, he captained the nation scoring once. He achieved his fame as the African Footballer of the year in 2006 and 2009. In October 2013, Drogba became first African player to win Golden Foot for Galatasaray.
This old man turning 36, will lead the Ivory Coast in the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil. Didier Drogba is in pretty good form actually. With all his experiences and skills, he can be a threat for any team. In 2014 World Cup, Ivory Coast is playing in Group C with the opponents of Japan, Colombia and Greece. In their first match in June 14 they will face Japan in Arena Pernambuco, Recife.
2. Gianluigi Buffon (Age: 36, Country: Italy)
This Italian goalkeeper plays as Captain for both Juventus and Italian National Team. For Italy, he is the record appearance holder in 139 matches. Buffon is widely considered to be one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. As declared by the Great Pele he remains in the list of 125 greatest living footballers in the world. Buffon’s award list is quite long consisting Serie A Goalkeeper of the year a record 8 times, Yashin Award in 2006, UEFA Cup footballer of the year in 2003, runner up in FIFA Ballon D’or. He has become most expensive goalkeeper in the football history while he joined Juventus from Parma in 2001 with a record €45 million. He will be playing as Italy’s guard for the fourth time in the FIFA World Cup 2014. They will be playing in Group D with Uruguay, England and Costa Rica as rivals and June 14 Italy will face England.
3. Miroslav Klose (Age:35, Country: Germany)
The German striker has played 131 matches for German national team scoring stunning 68 goals. In 2006 World Cup, he was the top scorer with five goals and a Golden Boot winner. He is renowned for header ability all through the world cup. While he was in his debut World Cup in 2002, all his five goals were headers. In the list of Top goalscorer in the FIFA World Cup, he is holding the 2nd position with 14 goals. Only one ahead of him is Brazil’s Ronaldo with 15 and he is not playing anymore. So it will be a great chance for Klose to break the record in this World Cup. But, maybe he will be playing his last world cup too. Germany is playing in Group G with some dangerous rivals like Portugal, Ghana and USA. Their first match will be against Portugal in June 16.
4. Andrea Pirlo (Age:35, Country: Italy)
Andrea Pirlo, an Italian professional footballer, plays for Italian national team and Juventus is a deep-lying playmaker and is regarded as a leading exponent of defensive midfield. Pirlo has been praised for his technique, dribbling, control, incredible vision and accurate passing ability. He is also famous for his penalty- kicks and long distance shooting. His fellas in the national team named him the ‘architetto’, the architect and truly he is. He has played 107 matches for Italy and became the fifth most capped for the National team. Pirlo placed 4th in 2012 Best Player in Europe award, 7th in the FIFA World Player, 5th in the 2007 Ballon d’Or. In 2006 Italy’s world cup victory he was the main assist-provider for the team. Andrea Pirlo will be the principle weapon for Italy in their FIFA world cup 2014 campaign.
5. Steven Gerrard ( Age:33, Country: England)
Steven Gerrard is playing the role of Captain both for Liverpool and England National team. For England in 109 caps, Gerrard scored 21 goals. He made his international debut in 2000 and became his team’s top goalscorer with 2 goals in 2006 world cup. In the next world cup he was playing as Captain in absence of regular Captain Rio Ferdinand. Gerrard has been described as one of the greatest English Midfielders in the history. Even French great Zinedine Zidane considered him the best footballer of the world in 2009. In the 2014 world cup, England will face Italy on 14 June as a Group D match.
