Football

World Cup 2018: 9 Players Playing in their Fourth World Cup

By admin

Posted on June 5, 2018

Lionel Messi World Cup

Every football player has one goal – to play in a FIFA World Cup. Sure, they dream about putting on their favourite club’s kit and winning the Champions League but the World Cup is an altogether different spectacle.

While most players dream of playing in the World Cup at least once in their lives, this group of players will be playing in their fourth tournament. Having played in all World Cups since 2006, which of these players could win it in 2018?

Bonus: Do you know which player is playing in his fifth World Cup?

#1 Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Lionel Messi World Cup — The closest Lionel Messi has been to the World Cup trophy

With five Ballon d’Ors and countless other records to his name, there is no doubt that Lionel Messi will go down in history as one of the greatest footballers of all time. But when he swaps the Blaugrana shirt for the blue-white stripes of Argentina, it is a different story altogether.

Messi is still in Diego Maradona’s shadow because he has failed to win international trophies with La Albiceleste. The only silverware he has won with the national team is the U-20 World Cup and an Olympic gold medal (effectively an U-23 tournament).

Messi may have been found weeping in the dressing room after he was sent off on his international debut in 2005 but he did make the squad for the 2006 World Cup. Although he started on the bench, he would make his World Cup debut against Serbia and Montenegro to become the youngest player ever to put on an Argentina shirt at a World Cup.

Manager Jose Pekerman did not use Messi as much as the fans would have liked and he was widely criticised when he was dropped to the bench for the quarter-final where Argentina lost to Germany on penalties.

2010 saw him play under Diego Maradona himself who deployed him as a withdrawn forward – almost like a playmaker – where he excelled. Messi played creator more than goalscorer but it was the defence that proved to be their downfall, losing to Germany yet again in the quarter-finals.

2014 was arguably his best chance to win the trophy and put to rest the debate of greatness for good. Messi scored 4 goals, even saving a dire Argentina on a couple of occasions in the group stage on their way to the final.

However, it was Germany yet again who spoiled the party with a 1-0 win in extra-time to deny Messi and co for a third straight time. Only this time, it was in the final.

Although Messi did win the Golden Ball, his sombre expression as he received the trophy suggested he really did not care for trinkets after he had lost out on the biggest trophy of all.

#2 Tim Cahill (Australia)

Australia v Netherlands: Group B - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil — Tim Cahill has scored in three different World Cups

Australia were one of the last few teams to announce their squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cupand when they finally did, one name stood out. Their prized forward – Tim Cahill. The man of the corner-flag-punching-goal-celebration fame.

The Australian’s exploits in the Premier League in an Everton shirt are legendary. But in spite of leaving English shores in 2012, Cahill was still banging in goals in the American MLS followed by the Chinese Super League and Australian A-League.

Although 2006 was Australia’s second ever participation at a World Cup (they qualified way back in 1974), Cahill made history when he became the first Australian to score a World Cup goal. They could have gone far that year had they not been “robbed” by Italy in the Round of 16.

2010 and 2014 saw Australia knocked out in the group stages but Cahill still got on the scoresheet wherever possible. One of the highlights of the 2014 World Cup was his goal against The Netherlands – a left-footed volley that crashed into the underside of the bar before going in.

#3 Sergio Ramos (Spain)

Spain's defender Sergio Ramos (C) holds — Sergio Ramos won the World Cup in 2010

With a limited number of international games played every year, nobody gets to 150 international caps unless they have been playing since their teens. Sergio Ramos is one such player who has been with the squad for ages.

Now 32 and possibly playing in his final FIFA World Cup, Ramos has come a long way with Spain. He first made his debut as an 18-year-old; becoming the youngest Spaniard to make his debut at the time.

Back then Ramos was a right-back. It wasn’t until 2012 that he became Spain’s preferred centre-back once Carles Puyol was no longer in the frame. Ramos played a key role in the 2010 World Cup, playing almost every minute as Spain romped to their first ever World Cup triumph.

However, 2014 was a tournament to forget for La Furia Roja, losing their first two group stage fixtures to Netherlands and Chile. Ramos captained Spain in the third game – a win over Australia – but the defending champions were already knocked out.

#4 Andrés Guardado (Mexico)

Croatia v Mexico: Group A - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil — Andrés Guardado has played in three World Cups and Russia will be his fourth

2006 was when a young 19-year-old Andrés Guardado made his first FIFA World Cup appearance. Mexico did not go far, losing to Argentina in extra-time in the Round of 16, but Guardado had done enough to stake a claim to a spot in the lineup.

Or so he thought. Although he did play in three out of Mexico’s four games at the 2010 World Cup – losing to Argentina again in the Round of 16 – Guardado was often substituted early or brought on as a substitute. He never got to complete the full 90 minutes.

The 2014 World Cup finally saw him play a more crucial role, even managing to score against Croatia to help El Tri reach the knockout stages. They were in for heartbreak, though, as Arjen Robben’s dive for a late, late penalty had seen to their exit.

Now, aged 31, Guardado heads to his fourth World Cup with the captain’s armband. He had had a good season at Real Betis where he played in a central midfield and defensive midfield positions to grab a team-high 8 assists.

#5 Javier Mascherano (Argentina)

Netherlands v Argentina: Semi Final - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil — Javier Mascherano

Argentina veteran Javier Mascherano may be finished as a club footballer in Europe after having opted to move to the Chinese Super League but he still feels he has one more international tournament in him.

One thing that cannot be doubted is his commitment. Remember that last-ditch tackle the then-defensive-midfielder made against The Netherlands to deny Arjen Robben in the final minute of their semi-final win? That heroic tackle actually “tore his anus”, putting him in “terrible pain”.

El Jefecito (The Little Chief) made his FIFA World Cup debut in 2006, playing every minute of the Albiceleste‘s campaign. He would only go up from there, replacing Javier Zanetti as the captain and leading them under Maradona in the 2010 World Cup.

“I want Mascherano to be my captain because I believe he is the Argentinian player who is closest to the idea I have about the Argentinian shirt – sweat for it, sacrifice for it, being a professional, being close to the team-mate.” – Maradona

However, the captain’s armband was always going to find itself on Messi’s arm at some point and Mascherano then became the vice-captain. But in 2014, everyone saw him as the real leader on the pitch – marshalling his troops and inspiring the team to reach the final where they eventually lost to Germany.

He will be 34 when the tournament gets underway and this will definitely be his last.

#6 Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico)

Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is now 32 and headed to his fourth FIFA World Cup. Everyone remembers him from his heroics in the 2014 edition – especially when he managed to keep a clean sheet against the mighty Brazilians playing on home turf.

Brazil had 14 shots in that game and they were denied. Set pieces, open play – you name it, Ochoa was a wall for 90 minutes.

“It was the game of my life,” he said after the game and even the internet went wild with tributes and memes flowing in equal measure with his Wikipedia entry even describing him as the Mexican Jesus.

Although Ochoa was part of the 2006 and 2010 squads, he never got a chance to play with Oswaldo Sanchez and Oscar Perez being the first choice goalkeeper. But 2014 was where he came into his own and it was his performances at the World Cup that helped him move to Europe.

#7 Andres Iniesta (Spain)

Soccer - 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa - Final - Netherlands v Spain - Soccer City Stadium — Andres Iniesta scored the winner in the final in 2010

The man was adored wherever he played in Spain after scoring the winner in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final. He received a standing ovation wherever he went and rightly so – even by derby rivals Espanyol who he endeared himself to by paying tribute to their captain Dani Jarque who had passed away before the tournament.

No 34, Iniesta has walked away from European football with a trophy haul that includes four Champions League titles and nine La Liga titles – 33 club trophies in all. With two Euros to add to the World Cup, Iniesta has 35. In Russia, he will look to win his 36th.

In 2006, he was a rookie, playing just one game after they had sealed qualification to the knockout stages. 2010 was when he came of age despite injury fears almost keeping him at home. He overcame them all to eventually triumph and give Spain their first ever title.

While 2010 was a forgettable outing, this edition will see him as the most senior player after Pepe Reina. It will be the last time we see him in a Spain shirt as he plans to retire from international duty after the World Cup.

#8 Valon Behrami (Switzerland)

Argentina v Switzerland: Round of 16 - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil — Valon Behrami

Although Valon Behrami has made it to three different World Cup tournaments, he didn’t exactly make the most of his chances. Although he will go down in history as one of many elite players to play in four World Cups, he will also be remembered as the first Swiss player to be sent off in a FIFA World Cup.

His is a story of bad luck. In 2006, a groin injury saw him miss out on the first two group games before playing only in the third and final group fixture. He did not play in the knockouts where they were eliminated in the next round by Ukraine.

2010 saw his World Cup outing come to a premature end when he was sent off in the game against Chile. Getting a little too physical to retain the ball, Behrami appeared to elbow Arturo Vidal in the face and both the linesman and referee saw it as a foul.

The 2014 edition was where he finally managed to get minutes under his belt. It was his tackle in the box, his forward run and pass that eventually saw Switzerland initiate a counter-attack against Ecuador to win the game in stoppage time.

#9 Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Portugal v Ghana: Group G - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil — Can Cristiano Ronaldo lead Portugal to another international trophy?

Cristiano Ronaldo is still going strong at 33, ageing like fine. It’s hard to imagine that his senior debut came 15 years ago.

While he was making it large at Manchester United and Real Madrid, his travails at international tournaments have seen a different range of emotions. From tears in Euros to the wink in the World Cup when he got club teammate Wayne Rooney sent off, we’ve seen it all.

In 2006, he was still a scrawny youngster. By 2010, he had become a man and had been given the captain’s armband. But a goalscoring drought had set in at the time and it took him more than a year to get going. Despite that, he put in a man of the match performances in all group games before they were knocked out by Spain in the Round of 16.

2014 saw him coming into the FIFA World Cup carrying an injury. He wasn’t 100% fit with a career-threatening tendinitis and thigh injury forcing him to skip training sessions – something a player of his stature hated.

Sadly, he couldn’t prevent Portugal from being eliminated as they crashed out in the group stages. Having won Euro 2016, there is pressure on Portugal to deliver in the World Cup even though they are not among the favourites.

Rafael Márquez (Mexico) – FIFTH World Cup

FBL-WC-2014-MATCH34-CRO-MEX — Rafael Márquez was Mexico’s captain in 2014

Only two players have ever played in five different World Cups – Germany midfielder Lothar Matthaus and Mexico goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal (Gianluigi Buffon only played in four although he was in the squad in five World Cups). Rafael Marquez will now join this elite group.

Mexico took a while to announce their 23-man squad but when they did, Marquez was one of the first players to be named. Aged 39, this will be his final outing. He has already retired from club football and did say that the FIFA World Cup would be the last time he wore an El Tri shirt.

Although he made his debut before the 1998 World Cup, he did not play in his first World Cup until 2002 where he captained and played all four games Mexico played before being eliminated. It was the same case in 2006 as well when he scored the only goal in the game they were knocked out by Argentina.

He did play an active role in 2010 and in 2014 he became the first player to captain a national team in four different World Cups. He could have made it five but this time Mexico will be led by Andres Guardado.

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