DAVID BECKHAM TOLD CNN today that he has not given up hope of resurrecting his England career and playing in next year’s World Cup despite not pulling on an England jersey in over three years.
The 37-year-old returned to European football with Paris Saint-Germain in January and hopes to feature in the Ligue 1 leaders’ Champions League clash with Barcelona on Tuesday.
An international recall is unlikely to happen but it did get us thinking, who are the oldest players to appear in major sporting events.
Football World Cup – Roger Milla, Cameroon (42 years, 39 days)
Football World Cup final – Dino Zoff, Italy (40 years, 133 days)
Ireland football – Bill Lacey (40 years, 225 days)
Rugby World Cup – Diego Ormaechea, Uruguay (40 years, 26 days)
Rugby World Cup final – Brad Thorn, New Zealand (36 years, 262 days)
Ireland rugby – John Hayes (37 years, 277 days)
Inter-county GAA – Tommy McLoughlin, Leitrim (47)
Super Bowl – Matt Stover, Indianapolis Colts (42 years, 11 days)
NBA Finals – Robert Parish, Chicago Bulls (43 years, 254 days)
Boxing – Bernard Hopkins, USA (48 years, 54 days)
