Carlos Valderrama, World Cup-1998
Age when appeared: 36 Years-09 Months-24 Days
Position: Midfielder
Club career: Unión Magdalena, Millonarios, Deportivo Cali, Montpellier, Real Valladolid, Independiente Medellín, Atlético Junior, Tampa Bay Mutiny, Miami Fusion, Tampa Bay Mutiny, Colorado Rapids
Trivia: Valderrama was the only Colombian to feature in FIFA’s 125 Top Living Football Players list in March 2004. Valderrama was known for his technique, the accuracy of his passing and providing assists, his reading of the game which allowed him to have a strong presence without the necessity of running as much as it would be expected allowed him to play for such a long time.
Roger Milla, World Cup-1994
Age when appeared: 42 Years-01 Months-08 Days
Position: Striker
Club career: Eclair, Léopards Douala, Valenciennes, Monaco, Bastia, Saint-Étienne, Montpellier, Saint-Pierroise, Tonnerre, Pelita Jaya, Putra Samarinda
Trivia: Milla was one of stars in the 1990 World Cup. He scored four goals in Italy, celebrating each one with a dance around the corner post that has become a popular goal celebration ever since.
In 1994, Milla was 42 years old, but that did not stop him from playing and scoring! The goal came against Russia which made him the oldest goalscorer in World Cup history.
Peter Shilton, World Cup-1990
Age when appeared: 40 Years-09 Months-19 Days
Position: Goalkeeper
Club career: Leicester City, Stoke City, Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Derby County, Plymouth Argyle, Wimbledon, Bolton Wanderers, Coventry City, West Ham United, Leyton Orient
Trivia: With 125 caps,he currently holds the record for representing England men’s team more than anyone else. He also holds the all-time record for the most competitive appearances in world football. He has played in 17 World Cup matches and shares the record 10 clean sheets in World Cup finals with French keeper Fabien Barthez.
In the 1990 World Cup semi-final, when Shilton was 40 years old, England faced West Germany in a penalty shootout. Shilton guessed the correct way for all 4 penalties but was unfortunate as he could’nt save even one. Undoubtedly one of the greatest keepers England have ever produced.
Dino Zoff, World Cup-1982
Age when appeared: 40 Years-04 Months-13 Days
Position: Goalkeeper
Club career: Udinese, Mantova, Napoli, Juventus
Trivia: At 40, Zoff became the oldest ever winner of the World Cup when Italy triumphed over West Germany in the 1982 World Cup. He holds the record for the longest stretch, 1142 minutes, without conceding any goals in international football. He captained the Italian side when they won the World Cup.
Nilton Santos, World Cup-1962
Age when appeared: 37 Years-01 Months-01 Days
Position: Left back
Club career: Botafogo
Trivia: He was called “The Encyclopedia” because of his knowledge of the sport of football. He played in 3 World Cups with Brazil and won 2 of them in 1958 and 1962.
Santos was also a one-club man as he represented Botafogo in 723 games and managed to scored 11 goals in a time when full backs rarely used to venture forward.
