Html code here! Replace this with any non empty text and that's it.
Andes Iniesta’s farewell to Barcelona after 22 seasons between youth and first team also anticipated the Illusionist’s retirement from Spain : in a few months, in fact, once the expedition to Russia is over, his extraordinary adventure with the Red Furies will also end .
Iniesta will not be alone and will not be the only legend to bid farewell to international stages forever: looking at the players who will take part in the competition, and in good company together with Rafael Marquez (Mexico), Tim Cahill (Australia) and Javier Mascherano (Argentina) . And legendary, in our opinion, is not a pumped-up adjective. Here’s why:
Andres Iniesta, 34
And the most talented Spanish player of all time
Xavi, former teammate of Barcelona and Spain
10:37 pm local time, Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg. This was the exact moment when Iniesta ascended to the Olympus of the World Cup, a place guaranteed for eternity. While future generations may remember him for his extra-time goal against the Netherlands, Don Andres in the memory of contemporaries and beyond, is the player capable of transforming action into artistic performance.
And to think that his debut in Spain was earned more or less a fortnight before the 2006 World Cup in Germany: the then coach Luis Aragones made him enter at the beginning of the second half in place of Fabregas in the 0- draw match. 0 against Russia. And he will be right in Soviet land that will give us the latest spells of him.
World Cup debut:Saudi Arabia – Spain 0-1, 23 June 2006
Editions: 2006, 2010, 2014
Appearances: 10
Unforgettable moment: the goal in extra time in the 2010 final against the Netherlands
[/ vc_column_text] [/ vc_column] [/ vc_row]
-
Add to cart
Editions in Counter Attack
-
Choose
Official T-Shirts
-
Add to cart
Books
[/ vc_column] [/ vc_row]
Html code here! Replace this with any non empty text and that's it.
Rafael Marquez, 39
I don’t think there are enough words to describe what he represents for all Mexican players: if I had to give him my seat, I would have done
Carlos Vela, teammate in Mexico
After retiring in April with experience in the clubs, closing at Altas, the team in which he began his professional career 22 years ago, the World Cup in Russia will truly be the last chance to see “El Kaiser” play. Marquez, if he actually does play, will equal the record of five World Cups played, joining compatriot Antonio Carbajal and German Lothar Matthaus.
In fact, he could have already reached and surpassed this record, having made his absolute debut with the Mexicans in 1997, only to not be called up to France ’98 when he was 19 years old. A “world” debut postponed for only four years: in 2002, in Korea and Japan, he was already leading the defense with the captain’s armband on his arm. And he kept it for all four World Cups, becoming the first in the history of Mexico by longevity.
World Cup debut: Mexico 1-0 Croatia, 3 June 2002
Editions: 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
Attendance: 16
Unforgettable moment: the equalizer in the opening match of South Africa 2010.
Tim Cahill, 38 years old
Timmy was Timmy, that’s why he’s the greatest ever
Ange Postecoglou, former Australia coach after Cahill led the Socceroos to the play-offs for Russia 2018
The true pillar of Australia in the modern era of the World Cup, Cahill wasted no time in becoming a hero at home, dragging the Australia’s first World Cup victory thanks to his brace against Japan in 2006. And as if that weren’t enough, the Socceroos have never won when Tim hasn’t scored.
Five goals for him and the one scored against Chile in the 2014 edition made him the first Australian to score in three different World Cups.
World Cup debut: Australia 3-1 Japan, 12 June 2006
Editions: 2006, 2010, 2014
Attendance: 8
Unforgettable moment:his flying stone against Holland, in 2014.
Javier Mascherano, 33 years old
Javier is one of the smartest players I’ve ever seen in my career
Pep Guardiola, former Barcelona manager
While some people may overlook Mascherano’s value, for remembering his fundamental role in the Albiceleste is enough to say that he played every minute of the last World Cup with the Argentina shirt. Diego Maradona, before becoming national coach, described the team as “Mascherano plus ten more”, then handing the captain’s armband to the midfielder – who later became defender.
The only consolation for Javier: Gotze will miss this World Cup, who punished him and his Argentine team-mates in the 2014 final.
World Cup debut: Argentina 2-1 Ivory Coast, June 10, 2006
Editions: 2006, 2010, 2014
Attendance: 16
Unforgettable moment: the 90th slip to deny Arjen Robben the winning goal in the semifinal of the World Cup Brazil 2014.
Source: Fifa.com [/ vc_column_text] [/ vc_column] [/ vc_row]
