5 players who came out of international retirement 

#3 Roger Milla

Roger Milla of Cameroon

One of the great World Cup stories remains Cameroon’s emergence at Italia 90. They became the first African side to make it to the quarter-finals of the competition, where they were eliminated by England.

Although they were at times crude in their approach – two players were sent off in the opening match as they shocked world champions Argentina 1-0 – they are better remembered for the exuberance they brought to the competition, with veteran attacker Roger Milla personifying this.

The 38-year-old scored four times and is remembered for his samba dance with the corner flag after netting, yet the revelation of the competition was not supposed to even be there – having quit the national scene a couple of years previously.

Indeed, it took a call from president Paul Biya to talk him into extending his service with the team.

He became a worldwide sensation and even continued for another four years to play at World Cup 94 in the United States, in which he became the oldest ever scorer at a final when he registered a goal against Russia in a 6-1 defeat.

Nevertheless, the international return of Milla is one that the footballing world is grateful for, as it provided one of the most heart-warming stories of the modern era.