The teams have been announced, and the tickets booked. Many a player could be featuring in probably their last-ever World Cup. These are those battle-hardened pros who spent and struggled their way at the very top, and they surely deserve and merit a great swansong. SportzWiki runs down a feature that compiles an eleven made up entirely of the oldest players of the tournament for their respective countries. They might look old and weary, but they could be a mean match for anyone out there.
As we are on the lookout for ageing pros, Fabio Capello gets the nod for being the oldest coach in the World Cup. The Russia manager is more than an apt choice, and his immense success over the last quarter of a century as a manager deserves respect.
To fit in the best oldies, an unusual 3-4-3 is chosen as the preferred formation. This is both attack and defence minded, and contextualizes how flexible our veterans still are in their twilight. The three-man defence is centre-half dominated; an unusual pivot run the defensive side of the midfield while runners are in no short supply in the attacking third. Three quite brilliant forwards lead the line, how they could’ve hurt teams had they played together in their prime.
GOALKEEPER: Gianluigi Buffon (ITALY, 36-years-old)
Il Capitano Buffon is the goalkeeper. Although not the oldest goalkeeper to feature in the World Cup, his impressive career so far and the fact that he is at the peak of his game even into the late-30s means that he starts over other prospects like Tim Howard and Stipe Pletikosa. Buffon is calmness personified, an ingredient so needed in backs-to-the-wall situations.
CENTRE-BACK: Rafael Marquez (MEXICO, 35-years-old)
The highest-capped Mexican is our choice for the right-sided centre-back. Boasting of an illustrious career with the likes of Monaco and Barcelona among others, Marquez revelled as a centre-half in the peak of his playing days before cementing his place as a defensive midfielder for club and country alike. Marquez’s leadership qualities and organizational skills mean that his team won’t suffer much in terms of slack defending.
CENTRE-BACK: Daniel van Buyten (BELGIUM, 36-years-old)
The grand old man of the youthfully exciting Belgium side finds his way merely because of his record with the Red Devils. Van Buyten is unlikely to feature much in the tournament as he seems far below the pecking order, but the 77-times-capped burly defender is definitely a piece of experienced customer you wouldn’t want to keep away. Incidentally, Van Buyten has the highest goals tally of the entire Belgium team on the travelling party.
CENTRE-BACK: Hugo Campagnaro (ARGENTINA, 33-years-old)
Relatively young, Campagnaro is another one whose chances in the first XI could be limited. Far from a first choice, the fact that Campagnaro is a template defender doesn’t bode well for the Inter defender. Campagnaro specializes in a three-man defence, and this setup is his cup of tea. For what he lacks in pace and guile, he almost always makes it up with defensive diligence and leadership.
HOLDING MIDFIELDER: Xavi (SPAIN, 34-years-old)
Not primarily a pivot, but Xavi is better than most people at the job. This World Cup won’t even be his last; Xavi’s amazing composure on the ball and dictating of the play means that he is a vital cog in the line-up. Xavi reads the game with utter nonchalance, and his vision is paramount to build up attacks.
RIGHT MIDFIELDER: Dirk Kuyt (NETHERLANDS, 33-years-old)
The energetic Kuyt is primarily a second striker, but years of playing on the right side of midfield has made him a fixture for both club and country. Kuyt’s never-say-die attitude and incredible stamina means that he is as vital to the team as any of the other 10. Kuyt’s defensive diligence is exemplary; under his watch the right flank is as easy as sealed.
LEFT MIDFIELDER: Tim Cahill (AUSTRALIA, 36-years-old)
Cahill played primarily as an attacking midfielder or a second striker all career long, but greater attacking wealth ahead means that he would have to occupy the left side of midfield. His aerial prowess is extraordinary given his diminutive size, and could be a handful to defenders who leave him unattended.
CENTRAL MIDFIELDER: Frank Lampard (ENGLAND, 35-years-old)
He has been the perfect box-to-box midfielder for much of his career, although he has faltered in his international sojourn so far. Frank Lampard is the epitome of goalscoring midfielders; he is his club’s record goalscorer and should he be played to his strengths, he could inspire England as well. A final bow for Lampard, and he would do well to make it memorable.
ATTACKING MIDFIELDER: Diego Forlan (Uruguay, 35-years-old)
Forlan plays primarily as a striker, but with the embarrassment of riches ahead of him, he must settle with a role in the hole. And he wouldn’t disappoint either. Last World Cup’s Golden Ball winner leads by example, and has a brilliant eye for direct attacking football. His touch is exceptional, and the timing of his runs is brilliant. And we could go on and on about his finishing.
FORWARD: Didier Drogba (IVORY COAST, 36-years-old)
Perhaps his last shot at the very top of the world game, Didier Drogba will relish this chance to make his mark on the grandest stage of them all, the FIFA World Cup. And he won’t allow the disappointments of the previous two campaigns on the back of his mind either. Drogba is the typical old-fashioned centre forward; one who likes the physical bit, but also has the flamboyant edge to his game.
FORWARD: Miroslav Klose (GERMANY, 35-years-old)
A true poacher, Miroslav Klose has poached his way into relative greatness. He lies just a goal away from Ronaldo’s World Cup record tally of 15, and this could be the year when he rewrites the history books. Klose’s predatory instincts are second to none; his aerial prowess is a delight to watch. He is Germany’s only experienced forward, and much of Germany’s success will depend on the calm Klose.