England, Spain, Italy and Germany stalwarts all make the top 10…
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The World Cup has drawn to a close, with Germany defeating Argentina in the final and picking up their fourth trophy.
While Brazil 2014 has been brilliant, it will also likely be the final World Cup that some of the greatest players of the modern generation will compete in.
Here’s ten stars that will unlikely participate in the World Cup again, and will be sorely missed.
10) Miroslav Klose – Germany
The 36-year-old has gone out in the best way possible – winning the World Cup, and becoming the tournament’s all-time record goalscorer as well with 16 goals. One of the greatest finishers in international football history.
9) Steven Gerrard – England
Gerrard skippered England this summer, and if he doesn’t retire, he’ll likely become his country’s record appearance maker in the next year. However, this summer was poor from the Liverpool man in terms of performance, and his side crashed out before their final group match had even been played.
8) Andrea Pirlo – Italy
Pirlo’s so technically good, and effortlessly creative, that he could probably carry on competing at the highest level until his late 30s. He’s already 35 though, and it’s very unlikely he’ll be around to play in Russia in 2018, but football fans will remember him slicing England apart this summer for years to come.
7) Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Sweden
Because Sweden didn’t qualify for this summer’s tournament, we sadly didn’t get to see any of the brilliant striker in Brazil. Ibra will be 36 in four years time, and he’ll likely have retired from international football before then.
6) Diego Forlan – Uruguay
We didn’t see much of Forlan this summer, but four years ago, the forward won the World Cup Golden Ball awarded for its best player. The 35-year-old has won 112 caps for his country so far, scoring 36 goals in the process.
5) Rafael Marquez – Mexico
Marquez has been playing for Mexico since 1997, and starred in central defence for a Mexican side who were remarkably unlucky to lose to Holland in the Last 16.
4) Samuel Eto’o – Cameroon
Eto’o, along with Roger Milla, is rated as Cameroon’s greatest ever player, but his side were totally inept this summer. Sadly, his side crashed out without any points, with Eto’o only appearing once.
3) Gianluigi Buffon – Italy
One of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation, and still the most expensive keeper of all time, Buffon will be 40 by the time the next World Cup comes around. Of course, he won the competition back in 2006, so he would have been able to take Italy’s disappointment this summer on the chin.
2) Didier Drogba – Ivory Coast
A true legend in every sense of the word, Drogba is as much an ambassador for African football and his various charities as he is a professional footballer, but he still made three appearances for the Ivorians in Brazil. In 102 caps, Drogba’s scored 65 goals throughout his international career to date.
1) Xavi – Spain
One of the true great midfielders of his generation, Xavi was at his peak when Spain lifted the trophy in South Africa – and it;s unfortunate his Spain side were humiliated so badly in South America. It won’t do Xavi’s legacy too much damage though, with the Barcelona man having won virtually everything available to him in club and international football.
