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The (soccer) world belongs to the youth! And therefore, in the run-up to the European Football Championship, there was an oracle about whose star will rise in the next four weeks, who would rise from the young to the new superstar. And who of the Mason Mounts (22), Jadon Sanchos (21), Jamal Musialas (18) or Joao Felix ?? (21) could follow in the footsteps of highly decorated all-time greats such as Cristiano Ronaldo or Luca Modric. What is overlooked is that these “old guys” are still there and maybe it is they who will set the tone in the tournament. There have probably never been so many prominent over 35-year-olds as this year who have significantly shaped the sport in recent years and still have what it takes to fulfill their superstar role. In any case, more than half of the 24 teams rely on an oldie who is more than 35 years old. An overview.
The over 35 EM selection:
Tor:
Manuel Neuer (D / 35 years)
Defense:
Andreas Ulmer (Austria / 35),
Giorgio Chiellini (It / 36),
Thomas Vermaelen (Bel/35),
Pepe (By / 38)
Midfield:
Luka Modric (Kro / 35),
Yuri Zhirkov (Rus/37),
Sebastian Larsson (Sw/36)
Attack:
Cristiano Ronaldo (By / 36),
Goran Pandev (Mkd / 37),
Burak Yilmaz (Tur/35)
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Andreas Ulmer (35): Although not a superstar, the native of Linz can still be called world-famous in Austria. Especially since the Red Bull Salzburg captain is the absolute record man in terms of title wins in Austrian football. Since 2006, Ulmer has won the championship plate twelve times and the trophy eight times – that is unmatched. In the ÖFB team, the left full-back is of course a late starter, which is why he is only now making his EM debut at an advanced age. It was only under Franco Foda that the flagship professional became a regular player, which is why he can only show 24 team appearances – in view of several European Cup battles, the stage fright of the running miracle will probably be limited.
Goran Pandev (37). Right at the start on Sunday (6 p.m.), Ulmer will also meet a player who is even older than him: Goran Pandev. The North Macedonian star striker is something of a national hero and the greatest footballing figurehead of the small Balkan state. While it still seemed in the two qualifying duels with Austria (1: 4/1: 2) in 2019 as if the time of the former Inter and Lazio goal getters was over, he recently won with his winning goals in Georgia and Germany Nation enraptured. The 119-time international, who is particularly dangerous in the penalty area because of his goal instinct, is bursting with self-confidence: “It would be no wonder if we could survive the group stage.”
Cristiano Ronaldo (36): Getting through the group stage is actually a matter of course for a man of his caliber. With the exception of the 2014 World Cup, the Portuguese Selecao managed to get promoted with Ronaldo in every tournament – even if they were third in the group as in 2016. The fact that surprisingly the European championship could be celebrated in the end was of course due to the five-time world footballer, who was particularly successful in the knockout -Phase was decisive on the spot. The preliminary round with opponents Germany, France and Hungary will be an enormous touchstone for Ronaldo and Co. this year, plus his uncertain form and a season to forget at Juventus. But you can confidently rule out that this could be his last major event – the model athlete will probably still be able to score goals in three years in Germany. 104 goals in 175 international matches are far from enough.
Giorgio Chiellini (36): Ronaldo’s Juventus team-mate led Italy to a well-deserved 3-0 win as captain in the opening game against Turkey on Friday. For years the man from Pisa has been an integral part of the defense stronghold of the Squadra Azzura, and as such has experienced the most recent ups and downs in 105 international matches. Since Luis Suarez’s bite attack at the 2014 World Cup, Chiellini has been something of Italy’s cult defender. The fact that he himself does not belong to the classic Italian iron foot school is impressively proven by the following statistics: In 625 club games there were only two reds and four yellow-reds – never at all in international matches.
Luka Modric (35): The Real Madrid star is still the heart, brain and lungs of the Croatian selection – it will depend on him whether the Vatreni even come close to a sensation like at the 2018 World Cup (vice world champion). In any case, 2018 was the year of the 1.72-meter-tall midfield director from Zadar: Champions League victory, world footballer, best World Cup player, etc. The record team player (135 appearances) this year, however, has a season without a title with Real.
Manuel Neuer (35): Germany’s number one has so far confidently parried all attacks by the top-class competition and has just entered the “Hundreds” club of the DFB selection as the first goalie. “It’s something very special as a goalkeeper to make so many games for his country,” said the Bayern keeper, who is not thinking of resigning. “I’m 35, but I feel fit and very productive,” said the 2014 world champion.
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