Ronaldo and Giroud in oldest World Cup team
Qatar will be full of superstars but for many it will likely be their final World Cup, writes KEALAN HUGHES.
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Thiago Silva have had lengthy careers full of success but have never tasted World Cup glory.
Eiji Kawashima
Kawashima, 39, plays for Ligue Un side Strasbourg and has won 95 caps for Japan.
Dani Alves
The Barcelona and Brazil legend, 39, is hoping to get a call up after being left out of the most recent national team squad in September.
Thiago Silva
Another Brazilian colossus, Silva, 39, still plays regularly for club and country and has shown good form for Chelsea in recent weeks.
Sergio Ramos
A World Cup winner, the Paris Saint-Germain centre-back is now in his twilight years aged 36.
Jan Vertonghen
Once part of the Belgian golden generation, former Tottenham defender Vertonghen, 35, could feature at centre-back or left-back for the Red Devils.
Andres Guardado
The Mexico legend, 36, will get one last hurrah in Qatar after confirming he will retire at the end of the tournament, having represented his country 177 times.
Luka Modric
Modric was a star of the Russia World Cup and despite being 37 shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
Bryan Ruiz
Once of Fulham fame, Bryan Ruiz, 37, now plays on home soil for Costa Rican top tier side LD Alajuelense.
Cristiano Ronaldo
The Manchester United star has been criticised by Portugal fans heading into the tournament but would love to silence the critics – just as he did at Euro 2016.
Luis Suarez
The Uruguay striker, 35, has tremendous World Cup pedigree having helped his team reach the semi-final in 2010 after handballing on the line against Ghana.
Olivier Giroud
The ex-Arsenal hitman, 36, helped France win the World Cup in 2018 and could play a similarly valuable role for Didier Deschamps’ side this time around.
