World Cup 2018: 9 Players Playing in their Fourth World Cup and One Playing his Fifth

#5 Javier Mascherano (Argentina)

Javier Mascherano

Argentina veteran Javier Mascherano may be finished as a club footballer in Europe after having opted to move to the Chinese Super League but he still feels he has one more international tournament in him.

One thing that cannot be doubted is his commitment. Remember that last-ditch tackle the then-defensive-midfielder made against The Netherlands to deny Arjen Robben in the final minute of their semi-final win? That heroic tackle actually "tore his anus", putting him in "terrible pain".

El Jefecito (The Little Chief) made his FIFA World Cup debut in 2006, playing every minute of the Albiceleste's campaign. He would only go up from there, replacing Javier Zanetti as the captain and leading them under Maradona in the 2010 World Cup.

"I want Mascherano to be my captain because I believe he is the Argentinian player who is closest to the idea I have about the Argentinian shirt – sweat for it, sacrifice for it, being a professional, being close to the team-mate." - Maradona

However, the captain's armband was always going to find itself on Messi's arm at some point and Mascherano then became the vice-captain. But in 2014, everyone saw him as the real leader on the pitch - marshalling his troops and inspiring the team to reach the final where they eventually lost to Germany.

He will be 34 when the tournament gets underway and this will definitely be his last.