In so many ways, the 2006 World Cup in Germany was all about Zinedine Zidane. Whether he was controlling the midfield or losing control of his temper, Zizou headlines nearly every history of the last World Cup. He led an under performing and essentially coach-less [sorry M. Domenech] French team past Ronaldinho's Brazil and Ronaldo's Portugal, and nearly to a win over Italy for the trophy. In the final, he not only had a crucial penalty conversion and an agonizing near-miss in extra time, but he connected on an infamous header that sent Marco Materazzi from relative obscurity outside of his homeland all the way into the trash talker hall of fame [I think it's in New Jersey, with Gary Payton and Deion Sanders statues out front]. After the World Cup Zidane retired, never to be seen in a Les Bleus shirt again.
With this year's World Cup set to begin in only five days, who may be the elder statesmen that can take hold of the world's stage and become the talisman, guiding his team to glory in his last chance to play for his country's shirt? Here are my best guesses, in no particular order:
Kaká (Brazil) - Yes, he is only 28, but 32 is ancient by Brazilian standards, just ask Ronaldinho [He's only 30!]. Besides, this is undoubtedly his team, he probably won't get that same chance in his homeland in 2014. The two Gilbertos and Lucio may be the senior members, and Dani Alves is the most charismatic/insane, but Kaka has the best chance to become this year's Zidane. With talent both boundless and multifaceted, expect Kaka to be heavily involved if Brazil claim their sixth World Cup. He may not score all of the goals himself, but you'll notice that Robinho and Luis Fabiano look infinitely better when they are receiving his passes from midfield than they do with their respective club teams.
Juan Sebastian Veron (Argentina) - When Maradona cut Riquelme and Cambiasso from his squad, the 35 year old suddenly became Argentina's de facto leader. Because he is the only real grownup on the team, manager included, Veron needs to be a calming force in midfield to help scuttle the bunker mentality teams often display against his side. Veron missed out on the 2006 World Cup, and he will definitely not be back for Brazil 2014, so this is his only chance to make an impact for La Albiceleste.
Dirk Kuyt (Netherlands) - One thing Kuyt has going for him: he is not Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben, or Wesley Sneijder, and therefore may be able to play up to seven games without getting injured. At nearly thirty, this will likely be his last World Cup and the Liverpool man needs to lead a team with some huge egos, and without elder statesman Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Kuyt may have a shortage of admirers these days outside of Anfield, and he may not even start for Le Oranje, but his work rate and enthusiasm never wane on the field. He may also be the odd man in a group of superstar strikers and attacking midfielders that is willing to go for the dangerous header or follow up goal rather than the perfect strike. He will not be the Zidane of this World Cup, but with his gas tank and eye for the cheap goal, he will be the stalwart on a fragile Dutch team.
Deco (Portugal) - After a disappointing run of form at Chelsea, Deco needs to bounce back in the World Cup if Portugal is going to get out of its group. The Deco of 2006 seemed to be everywhere on the field, only to be stopped by a suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards against the Netherlands. The Brazilian-born midfielder needs to be the set up man for Cristiano Ronaldo, both by passing and tying up defenders. At 33, Deco need not worry about saving himself for 2014, his time is now.
Carles Puyol (Spain) - There is something slightly clownish, other than the hair, about the 32 year old Spanish defender. Perhaps it is because he can make a harmless nudge look like a hockey fight, or the constant expression of outrage on his face, or because he takes a week to get back on defense after coming down for a corner kick. Or maybe it is just the hair. Regardless, Puyol brings charisma and charm to a team filled with attractive superstars that are large on talent but a bit short on personality. He is also, undoubtedly, a leader. Just ask Barcelona, who flailed without him in the Champions League. For La Furia Roja to win the World Cup, and they are the favorites, they will need Puyol to draw fouls and distract referees.
Thierry Henry/William Gallas (France) - The two Frenchmen share a birthday, and neither are likely to figure in the plans of France's next coach, Laurent Blanc, so it makes sense to put them together. Henry was a prodigy at the 1998 World Cup, but now he's the old man who cannot handle a full 90 minutes. The injury prone Gallas loves to get into the attack with his hard head and flash his captain's armband, but fellow players tend to think of him as less leader and more diva. If the pair could find a way to rekindle the magic touch Zidane brought in 2006, France could sneak up on teams and make a deep run in the knockout stage.
Michael Ballack of Germany would have been my second pick, after Kaka, to be the Zidane of 2010, but he is injured. I would say the same of Michael Essien of Ghana, and Didier Drogba of the Ivory Coast if he does not make it back.
Others who might lead their teams to glory in what will likely be their last World Cup: Carlos Bocanegra of the United States [age: 31]; Rafa Marquez of Mexico [age 31]; Miroslav Klose of Germany [age: will be 32 by the start of play]; Shunsuke Nakamura of Japan [age: 31]; and the one player I should have written more about, Steven Gerrard of England [age: 30], a team in dire need of a leader.
Leave a comment if there is anyone I left out.
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