Timeless XI: The legends who keep going
Here are certain players who hold a special place in the heart of football fans. These guys have been around for so long that it’s almost impossible to imagine football without them. The timeless players are stalwarts of the game and deserve to be held in special regard. We’ve compiled a team of the most everlasting player currently still plying their trade in world football.
GK: Gianluigi Buffon – Juventus
Gianluigi Buffon
In a professional career spanning 19 years, 696 Italian league appearances, a record 139 caps for the national side and most importantly 13 major trophies including the World Cup, the UEFA Cup, four Scudettos and many more, Gianluigi Buffon has instilled himself as the best goalkeeper in the world.
Even this season, he is a model of consistency, keeping 15 clean sheets in Serie A thanks to his incredible ability to organise a defence effectively and to prevent goals from set-pieces with his astonishing ability to read the play. Gianluigi has also always been very confident coming out from set pieces and this season is no different as he’s registered a claim success of 90%.
RB: Javier Zanetti – Inter Milan
Few footballers attain the god-like status that is enjoyed by Javier Zanetti. The 40 year old Argentinian has made 851 appearances for the club in a truly astonishing career. Nicknamed “El Tractor” because of his strength and stamina, the right-back has never changed haircut and looks as young now as when he started his career. A true great of the game.
CB: Lucio – Palmeiras
It’s strange to call Lucio timeless as he’s 35 and still playing in the Brazilian Serie A but Lucimar Ferreira da Silva has notched up 19 major honours in his career as he enjoyed success with Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and of course Brazil. Known for his strength, distribution and aerial threat at set pieces, Lucio is a complete centre-back and a name that many football fans will do well to forget.
LCB: Carles Puyol – Barcelona
Carles Puyol
What is there left to say about Carles Puyol. The inspirational defender has won literally everything he could have during his prosperous shift in the Barcelona first team. We could discuss in minutiae the ins and outs of his development in play and career in general but this article goes a long way to explaining why we all love “the caveman” so much.