Ageing players who may feature at Russia 2018 World Cup
The attention of all football lovers in many parts of the world will as from June 14 shift to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia which will be the 21st edition in the history of the championship.
This will be the first World Cup held in Europe since the 2006 tournament in Germany, and the first ever to be held in Eastern Europe.
All of the stadium venues are in European Russia so as to keep travel time manageable.
Players who are the major characters of this tournament have been preparing themselves for the task ahead which will definitely facilitate moves for many of them to other clubs.
Stars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba, Neymar, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Mikel Obi, and others will have to be at their best in Russia considering the level of their followers and lovers.
However, we want to take a look at some ageing players who could feature at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
1. Essam El Hadary - 45 years and Egypt
Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary is on his way to becoming the oldest person to play in a World Cup match should he finally makes the final list of coach Hector Cuper.
El Hadary was chosen by Egypt coach Hector Cuper in a 29-man preliminary World Cup squad on Monday, May 14, and he could be going to his first ever World Cup despite making his international debut in 1996.
Egypt qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1990 and the team will play in Group A along with host Russia, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
2. Tim Cahill - 38 years and Australia
On Monday, May 14, when Australia national team coach Bert van Marwijk announced his 26-man provisional squad for the Russia 2018, many pundits criticized the inclusion of Tim Cahill.
Many believe that the player who currently plays for Championship club Millwall would not be of any advantage to Australian squad considering his lack of active playing time.
But the man himself held no faith in anything other than his own ability which he was confident could still make an impact at the highest level.
3. Rafael Marquez - 39 years and Mexico
Rafael Marquez is the captain of the Mexican national football team and only injury can prevent him from appearing in his fifth World Cup championship in Russia this year.
The Atlas player who has 143 caps became the first to captain a team in four World Cups at Brazil 2014.
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He also became the second Mexican after Cuauhtemoc Blanco to score in three successive tournaments when he grabbed the opener in the 3-1 win over Croatia.
4. Bruno Alves - 36 and Portugal
Bruno Alves plays as a center back for Scottish Premiership club Rangers and the Portugal national team
The veteran has been included in Portugal's initial 35-man squad by manager Fernando Santos and he is on course to play in his sixth major finals.
Earlier, Legit.ng had reported how injury could stop some players from participating at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Frenchman Laurent Koscielny was ruled out of the World Cup after he hobbled off the pitch with a torn achilles tendon during Arsenal’s Europa League Semi-final defeat to Atletico Madrid.
Nigeria can get to the quarterfinal of World Cup - Ex-Super Eagles star Etim Esin. On Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
