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The European Championship aka EURO is the perfect platform for top soccer players to prove their mettle. Every player worth their salt wants to represent their nation in the competition, but only the finest get the call-up.
Things are even tougher for older players, who are often forced to make way for younger players, as soccer is widely seen as a young man’s game. Today, we will check out a few exceptions — players who are included in the final roster despite being in their twilight years.
Continue reading to meet the five oldest warriors in EURO 2024.
#5 Giorgi Loria – Georgia
Giorgi Loria Has Played 77 Matches For Georgia
Aged 38 years and 142 days, Georgia star Giorgi Loria is the oldest goalkeeper to make the cut for the 2024 European Championship. The veteran shot-stopper, who spent the 2023-24 season at Dinamo Tbilisi, has won 77 caps for his country so far.
Georgia will play in the EUROs for the first time this year and, understandably, every player included in the roster will be eager to make an appearance. However, for Loria, it seems a bit difficult, as he is well behind first-choice goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili in the pecking order. So, unless Giorgia book their passage to the last 16 inside the first two Group F games, there is a big chance Loria will retire without playing in the prestigious continental competition.
#4 Jesus Navas – Spain
Jesus Navas Has Only Played 3 Games In EUROs
At 38 years and 209 days, evergreen wide-man Jesus Navas has emerged as the oldest Spanish player in EURO 2024. Navas, whose contract with Sevilla expires on June 30, last played in the competition during Spain’s triumphant run in 2012. He played three matches that year, scoring once.
After failing to make the cut in EURO 2016 and 2020, Navas has returned to the roster as an understudy to right-back Dani Carvajal. However, unless Luis de la Fuente shuffles the pack in the final group stage game, Navas is unlikely to step onto the pitch in…
Source link : https://sportslens.com/news/euro-2024-5-oldest-players-cristiano-ronaldo/
Author : Sushan Chakraborty
Publish date : 2024-06-17 06:43:31
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