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The 2014 World Cup promises to be memorable for a selection of great players who will be playing in theirlast major international tournamentfor their countries. England have two midfielders in the latter stages of their careers that are unlikely to feature in the next World Cup, while Italy also have two names expected to be saying their farewell this summer. There are plenty more veterans of the game making their swansong in the coveted tournament as well.
#1 Samuel Eto\'o
Talented striker Sameul Eto’o has been a terrific servant for Cameroon, and his influence in the national team won’t go unnoticed. The two-time winner of the African Cup of Nations has made over 110 appearances for the Indomitable Lions, scoring a record 54 goals.Now 33, he can proudly look back upon an impressive international career that will see him playing in his third and surely his last World Cup this summer.
#2 Andrea Pirlo
The bearded Italian maestro has called time on his international career after this summer‘s tournament. Andrea Pirlo will be representing Italy in his third World Cup this time round.The 35-year-old has made over 100 caps for his country, and went on to win the 2006 World Cup. He’s been a brilliant servant for his country and has surprised many with his fantastic form in the dusk of his playing career. He remains a pivotal player in the Italian midfield and will bow out a national hero this summer regardless of Italy’s show.
#3 Frank Lampard
The long-serving England international, now at the age of 35 will be playing his third World Cup this summer. The ex-Chelsea midfielder has made over 100 caps for the Three Lions after making his England debut in 1999.
A quarter-final exit in the 2002 World Cup remains the furthest Frank Lampard has ever gone in the tournament. The Former Chelsea midfielder is expected to call time on his England duties following this summer's World Cup, but his playing career could still have some time to go.
#4 Steven Gerrard
Another England stalwart, Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard has surpassed a centuty of caps for his country and will also play in his third World Cup this summer. The 34-year-old, who first featured for the Three Lions in 2000, has remained as important in the side all throughout the years of his career. He’s been a constant in the England team and this time around he will lead the English team as the team captain. However, this could be his last chance at glory.
#5 Xavi Hernandes
Making over 130 caps for the Spanish national team, Xavi set to play in his fourth World Cup at the age of 34 years. While his form has dwindled slightly with age, he still remains an important part of the Spain midfield and a key figure in this summer’s tournament.
He won the 2010 World Cup and would love to cap his international career off with another before potentially calling time regarding his duties for the national team.Almost certainly playing in his last World Cup, Xavi faces stiff competition from the likes of Koke (Atletico Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona) and Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), who look the most likely to succeed him in the team in the future.
#6 Robin van Persie
Robin van Persie, 30, is likely to be playing in his last World Cup for the Netherlands. The Manchester United striker has featured in two World Cups for his country, making more than 80 caps.Such is his advancing age and history of injury problems, Van Persie will likely be having his World Cup swansong this summer. But the Dutchman should have fond memories of making it to the 2010 final against eventual winners Spain.
#7 Wesley Sneijder
Set to surpass 100 caps for the Netherlands in this summer's World Cup, midfielder Wesley Sneijder knows that the 2014 edition is most likely his last chance at the global stage.The 30-year-old, who currently plays for Galatasaray, has featured in two World Cups and is a well-decorated player. He scored two goals in the 2010 World Cup quarter-final and a goal in the semi-final that sent his side to the final against the winners Spain. Sneijder will certainly be hoping to go one better this time.
#8 Miroslav Klose
While recently becoming Germany’s all-time top goalscorer, striker Miroslav Klose was supposed to be finished after the 2010 World Cup due to his age. He led his country to the finals in 2002, and the semi-final in both 2006 as well 2010. However they just fell short each time at the crucial stage.
Now 36, Klose has featured in three World Cups for Germany, while making over 130 caps. This summer’s tournament should be his last, but Klose has proved many wrong by being here this time around as well.
#9 Gianluigi Buffon
Long-serving Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is expected to bow out after the World Cup. Now 36, he’s reached the tail end of a fabulous international career and is set to feature in his fifth World Cup tournament.
The veteran won the 2006 World Cup with Italy with his heroics in the penalty shoot-out, as did his club and country teammate Andrea Pirlo.
Buffon, who plays for Juventus, has made 140 caps for his country. While he’s stood the test of time over the course of his career, this summer’s World Cup is likely to be his last for the Azzuri.
#10 Iker Casilas
Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas is now 33 and has played in three World Cups for the national team. He’s made more than 150 caps for Spain in his career, and now is expected to be featuring in his last World Cup, as Manchester United’s David de Gea is one of a few names who will provide stiff competition for the No. 1 jersey in the future.
He, like Xavi, won the 2010 World Cup with Spain and is hoping they can retain it this summer. He was the skipper of the side that lifted the trophy in South Africa, thus becoming the first Spaniard to ever do so.
