15 moments in football that make you feel old

In football, sometimes there is so much going on that it is easy to lose track of time. So freshly imprinted are they in our minds that moments which took place years ago seem like they happened only yesterday.

On that note, we bring you 15 moments in football that will make you feel old and question Father Time himself.

15) Zidane’s headbutt on Materazzi happened 8 years ago.

Remember Zinedine Zidane’s one moment of madness in an otherwise exemplary World Cup? Of course you do, it is one of the most iconic moments in football.

Well, that happened 8 years ago.

In fact, even the statue that was erected in honour of Zidane’s legendary show of passion is almost 2 years old.

14) Wayne Rooney’s sending off against Portugal was also 8 years ago.

It’s been 8 years since Rooney “accidentally stomped” on Carvalho’s privates and received a straight red in England’s quarterfinal match against Portugal.

Rumour has it Carvalho’s unmentionables are still carrying the stud marks from Rooney’s boot.

13) FACT – That night in Istanbul happened 9 years ago.

12) The infamous Roy Keane – Patrick Vieira tunnel bust-up happened 9 years ago as well.

Both have retired since, and they seem to have buried the hatchet.

Keano’s forced smile suggests otherwise.

11) It’s been 11 years since Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Manchester United

In those 10 years, the gawky teenager turned into one of the best players the world has ever seen, and the manager who helped him in his transformation has retired.

10) Remember Ronaldinho’s delightful freekick against England versus a pony-tailed David Seaman?

That was 12 years ago!

9) Ahn Jung-Hwan’s Golden Goal for South Korea that knocked Italy out of the 2002 WC was also 12 years ago.

But Italy made amends by winning the next edition in 2006. Seven years have lapsed since that.

8) Roberto Carlos chips the ball to Zidane, who swivels his left foot to hit a perfect volley into the top right corner.

That moment of magic happened 12 years ago.

Zidane is now Assistant Manager at Real Madrid, whereas Roberto Carlos has retired.

7) 13 years ago, David Beckham scored a curling freekick in the last minute of a qualifier match against Greece in 2001 to send England to the 2002 World Cup.

In the meantime, England have continued their tradition of not going past the quarterfinals in World Cups.

6) Luis Figo left Barcelona and moved to Real Madrid in a 60m deal in 2000, 14 years ago!

The pig’s head that was chucked at him following his move has since turned into fossil fuel.

5) 2 goals in stoppage time against Bayern Munich meant Manchester United won the 1998-99 Champions League and completed an unlikely treble. That was 15 years ago.

Ryan Giggs is now part of the coaching staff at Manchester United, whereas Solskjaer went on manage Molde successfully.

4) Two quality headers from Zidane ensured that France lifted the 1998 World Cup. That was 16 years ago!

3) David Beckham received a straight red for “kicking out” at Argentina’s Diego Simeone. That was also 16 years ago.

Diego Simeone is now manager of Atletico Madrid, whereas David Beckham is in plans to buy an MLS franchise.

2) Diego Maradona played his last game 17 years ago

In his last match, Maradona was replaced by a player who went on to have a successful career with Argentina – Juan Roman Riquelme.

1) Roberto Baggio misses a penalty, Brazil take home yet another World Cup. That was 20 years ago!

The pain of that missed penalty will perhaps hound Baggio for his entire life.