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“I spit into the face of Time That has transfigured me.” W.B. Yeats, The RoseThis quote by the legendary author sums up what my piece is all about. We have seen many footballers who have more or less looked the same since they made their debut to the day they retired. Players like Ryan Giggs, Carles Puyol and Pele have stayed the same throughout their playing career while some have been the same throughout their lives. They emphasize the fact that you have to play good football in order to be a superstar and not actually be like a rockstar.Here are five active footballers who have been the same for the majority of their entire playing career.Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not reflect those of the site.
#1 Antonio Di Natale
The Udinese man is like a wine as he just got better with age. He still looks that kid who set Italian football ablaze in early part of post millennial decade.
The Italian international has always sported his soldier cut hair-style and his aeroplane celebration. To many of the young football fans, who must have started following him from Euro 2012 must be wondering how was he in his younger days. Well to their disappointment he was more or less the same as he is now, right from his days at Empoli youth academy.
Except he was a bit kiddish and not so world class then. He always let his football do the talking and not his appearances unlike his compatriot and fellow no. 9 Mario Balotelli, who is no stranger when it comes to weird fashion.
#2 Robin van Persie
The Manchester United hitman hasn’t changed a single iota since his youthful days at Feyenoord. He has that same face, same tenacity and surprisingly the same hairstyle as well. Just to mention that he has a few specks of grey on the edges these days but the look is still the same.
Compare him to his days in Holland to his days in England, the only change you will see is that of the jersey he is sporting. I’m not sure whether he has stopped ageing or he was born old, a la Benjamin Button.
Van Pizzle, as he is known at United, has had his tryst with injuries but it seems that some time off the pitch has kept him in the brand new condition since forever. His thunderous left foot and his acrobatics are not the only thing that make him stand out but his constant appearance also makes him stand out on our list.
#3 Steven Gerrard
He is the one of the few one club players in the modern day football, where money rules the roost. Steven Gerrard made his breakthrough in an era where players were projected more or less like movie stars than as football players.
In an era, where footballers had more hairstyles and look changes than goals, Steven Gerrard focussed on making a name for him in world football by letting his game do the talking. Stevie G has always been the same since he started playing football. An all red kit with short hair along with strong yogi like focus on his face is true trademark of this Kop legend.
The former England captain really proved that you just have to play good football and the rest will fall into place. He is one of the least glamorous players of all time but he is the most valuable players in Liverpool’s history of all time.
#4 Iker Casillas
From a kid who made his debut in 2000 UEFA Champions League for Real Madrid to a World Cup winning captain for Spain, Iker Casillas has done it all, both the high and the lows as well.
San Iker, as he is known popularly amongst the Madridistas, is indeed a guy who is as simple as a saint. He still has that boyish charm along with his inherent simplicity. His love for Real Madrid is more than sufficient for him to skip his date to a stylist as the Spain captain is still like that 19-year-old who played in that 2000 UEFA Champions League final against Valencia, where he became the youngest keeper to lift a European cup.
Time has flown by since that historic final. Casillas himself won yet another Champions League last year, but he has always been the same on the field. Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication which stands true for this La Fabrica graduate.
#5 Phillip Lahm
He is the one of the most versatile footballer at the moment in world football. He can play as a full back, as a centre half, as winger and also as a central midfielder. You might have guessed it by now, for those who haven’t, he is the Magic Dwarf or better known as Phillip Lahm.
Despite him having variety in his playing positions, he has maintained uniformity as far his appearance and looks are concerned. His medium sized blonde hair with side partition has made us spot him on the football field in case you tuned in late and didn’t know where he was playing in that particular game.
He may be the only captain to lift all the major trophies in both club and international competitions but he is also one of the few simple guys who just likes to focus and dedicate himself to football instead of showing off some new look every other week. A perfect role model for young kids aspiring to be a footballer, someday.
