Gallery: 10 veterans in their last World Cup

Andrea Pirlo – Italy: Despite his age (35), Pirlo remains one of the best midfielders in the world. His vision and precision passing are matched by few and he’s money from set pieces. If Italy makes a deep run, Pirlo will be a big reason why.

Andrea Pirlo – Italy: Despite his age (35), Pirlo remains one of the best midfielders in the world. His vision and precision passing are matched by few and he’s money from set pieces. If Italy makes a deep run, Pirlo will be a big reason why.
Andrea Pirlo – Italy: Despite his age (35), Pirlo remains one of the best midfielders in the world. His vision and precision passing are matched by few and he’s money from set pieces. If Italy makes a deep run, Pirlo will be a big reason why.
Xavi Hernandez – Spain: One of the best central midfielders of all-time will make his final World Cup appearance as Spain looks to repeat as champions. Xavi’s great vision and ability to find space is a big reason the Spanish midfield plays at such a high level.
Xavi Hernandez – Spain: One of the best central midfielders of all-time will make his final World Cup appearance as Spain looks to repeat as champions. Xavi’s great vision and ability to find space is a big reason the Spanish midfield plays at such a high level.
Didier Drogba - Ivory Coast: The jewel of the Ivory Coast will get one more shot to lead his team in a major tournament. His country’s all-time leading scorer, Drogba’s performance in Brazil will dictate how far the Ivory Coast can go.
Didier Drogba – Ivory Coast: The jewel of the Ivory Coast will get one more shot to lead his team in a major tournament. His country’s all-time leading scorer, Drogba’s performance in Brazil will dictate how far the Ivory Coast can go.
Frank Lampard – England: Despite a less-than-impressive performance for Chelsea in the Premier League this season, Lampard got the call from Roy Hodgson. It’s not likely the 35-year-old will get into the starting XI, but he could still be effective if called on late.
Frank Lampard – England: Despite a less-than-impressive performance for Chelsea in the Premier League this season, Lampard got the call from Roy Hodgson. It’s not likely the 35-year-old will get into the starting XI, but he could still be effective if called on late.
Julio Cesar – Brazil: If Brazil isn’t the last team standing on July 13 the 2014 World Cup will be seen as a disappointment for the host nation. A lot of that expectation falls on Cesar; the TFC keeper will have to be at his best in his final World Cup appearance.
Julio Cesar – Brazil: If Brazil isn’t the last team standing on July 13 the 2014 World Cup will be seen as a disappointment for the host nation. A lot of that expectation falls on Cesar; the TFC keeper will have to be at his best in his final World Cup appearance.
Samuel Eto'o – Cameroon: Eto’o is surely looking for redemption after Cameroon failed to register a point in South Africa. In what will likely be his final World Cup, the 33-year-old striker will look to lead his nation out of the first round for the first time since 1990.
Samuel Eto’o – Cameroon: Eto’o is surely looking for redemption after Cameroon failed to register a point in South Africa. In what will likely be his final World Cup, the 33-year-old striker will look to lead his nation out of the first round for the first time since 1990.
Rafael Marquez – Mexico: Heading into Brazil, Marquez will become the first man to captain his country to four World Cups. The 35-year-old will lead the Mexican defence against some tough challenges in Group A and will be key to advancing into the knockout stage.
Rafael Marquez – Mexico: Heading into Brazil, Marquez will become the first man to captain his country to four World Cups. The 35-year-old will lead the Mexican defence against some tough challenges in Group A and will be key to advancing into the knockout stage.
Tim Cahill – Australia: Australia is fielding a youthful squad in Brazil, but the 34-year-old Cahill will once again be his nation’s leader at the World Cup. Although Australia is in tough in Group B, the Red Bulls’ striker will no doubt put some balls in the back of the net.
Tim Cahill – Australia: Australia is fielding a youthful squad in Brazil, but the 34-year-old Cahill will once again be his nation’s leader at the World Cup. Although Australia is in tough in Group B, the Red Bulls’ striker will no doubt put some balls in the back of the net.
Diego Forlan – Uruguay: Coming off a spectacular showing in the 2010 World Cup, Forlan will play in the shadow of Luis Suarez in Brazil. However, he’ll still need to have a great tournament if Uruguay hopes to improve on 2010’s fourth place finish.
Diego Forlan – Uruguay: Coming off a spectacular showing in the 2010 World Cup, Forlan will play in the shadow of Luis Suarez in Brazil. However, he’ll still need to have a great tournament if Uruguay hopes to improve on 2010’s fourth place finish.
Miroslav Klose – Germany: His nation’s all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 132 matches, Klose has always had a huge presence on the international stage. The 35-year-old always comes up big in the World Cup and will have to do so again if he wants to lift that trophy on July 13.
Miroslav Klose – Germany: His nation’s all-time leading scorer with 69 goals in 132 matches, Klose has always had a huge presence on the international stage. The 35-year-old always comes up big in the World Cup and will have to do so again if he wants to lift that trophy on July 13.

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