Modric, Ochoa, Neuer, Dzeko: eagerly awaited “grandpas”

In addition to the inevitable Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, superstars vying for a sixth World Cup, other veterans will hit the North American lawns to perhaps perform one last dance, such as goalkeepers Manuel Neuer and Guillermo Ochoa or the Croatian Luka Modric.

If Ronaldo and Messi take the spotlight, a third player could reach the record of six participations in World Cups: Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who will celebrate his 41st birthday on July 13.

The native of Guadalajara, who has worn the +El Tri+ jersey since 2005, has been playing for the Cypriot club AEL Limassol since the start of the season, after having played in Ajaccio and Salernitana.

Renowned for his solidity on his line thanks to his lightning reflex parades, Ochoa became famous during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he produced an extraordinary match against the host country in the group stage (0-0).

In 2018, he further strengthened his legend with a new tour de force against Germany, which lost to Mexico (1-0). With his 152 caps, he will bring his experience to the Mexican group, even if he is no longer the starter.

Architect of Croatia’s beautiful runs at the 2018 World Cup in Russia (finalist, beaten by France) and in Qatar four years later (3rd), Luka Modric is back for a fifth World Cup.

After the end of a prosperous 13-year adventure at Real Madrid, the 2018 Ballon d’Or joined Serie A and AC Milan this season, where he still showcases his knowledge of the game and his unparalleled technical quality.

Victim of a fractured left cheekbone at the end of April, he has not played again since, which does not worry his coach Zlatko Dalic: “I have no doubt, he will be in good shape.”

One of the greatest midfielders in history, Modric remains at 40 the playing master of the Croatian team, which will challenge England in the group stage.

He retired with the selection after Euro-2024, but here he is back: at 40, Neuer is once again the No. 1 in the German cages.

Coach Julian Nagelsmann may have repeated for almost two years that the question of his return did not arise, neither Marc-André ter Stegen, often injured, nor Oliver Baumann managed to impose themselves.

Crowned world champion in 2014 when he was at the top of his game, Neuer demonstrated this season in the Champions League that he was still capable of the spectacular saves that made his reputation.

But his physical state raises questions: regularly injured since the 2022 World Cup, Neuer recently suffered from calf injuries, an injury which prevented him from playing in the German Cup final at the end of May with Bayern.

Having played for Wolfsburg, Manchester City or Serie A (AS Roma, Inter Milan), Edin Dzeko is still an essential element of the Bosnian team at 40 years old.

Today at Schalke 04, the center forward is the team’s top scorer (73 goals), of which he is also the most capped player (148 caps).

Author of six goals during qualifying, he notably scored the crucial equalizer against Wales in the play-off semi-finals, while the +Zmajevi+ (the Dragons) were trailing 1-0, four minutes from the end of the match.

In the final against Italy, he held his place despite a shoulder injury, before letting his teammates take over successfully on penalties.

Other veterans will also play this World Cup, including many goalkeepers, such as the Haitian goalkeeper from Bastia Johny Placide, who after several failed qualifying campaigns, will discover the World Cup at the age of 38, or the Scotsman from Hearts Craig Gordon, 43 years old.

At 39, Japanese defender Yuto Nagatomo, who played for Inter Milan, Galatasaray and Marseille, will be playing in his fifth World Cup.

The oldest field player to have played in a World Cup remains Cameroonian striker Roger Milla, at 42 years, one month and eight days during his last World Cup, in 1994 in the United States.