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With UEFA Euro 2020 kicking off on June 11th, we are now anxiously close to the end of the group stages. The business end of the tournament is within reaching distance, and all the teams will be battling it out to secure promotion into the knockouts.
Several players have impressed audiences with their skills already, and we are blessed to see some of the UEFA Euro veterans in action at the tournament. On that note, let's take a look at five experienced stars who are rolling back the years at Euro 2020.
#5. Goran Pandev - North Macedonia
A well known name in his heyday, Goran Pandev has enjoyed a magnificent career so far.
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Famed for his time with Internazionale, the Macedonian won the UEFA Champions League in 2010. He has also won the Serie A title as well as the League Cup. Pandev is widely regarded as the greatest Macedonian forward of all time and was instrumental in his country's qualification for Euro 2020. The 37 year old scored the deciding goal against Georgia in the qualifiers, securing North Macedonia a place at the tournament.
Having made his international debut almost 20 years ago, Pandev has a mammoth 121 caps for Macedonia. The talismanic striker has scored 38 goals, including one against Austria in the group stage.
With Pandev announcing his retirement after Euro 2020, the fact that he scored their first ever goal at the Euros will truly be a fitting finale.
#4. Gareth Bale - Wales
Very few footballers can match the career Gareth Bale has had.
Born in Wales, the 31 year old has had an illustrious career across England and Spain. Breaking through with Spurs, the left-footer built a reputation of being rapidly fast and remarkably clinical.
Having spent six years with Spurs, Bale moved to Real Madrid in 2013 for a reported £85 million, a world transfer record at the time. Since joining, Bale has won two La Liga titles and a ridiculous four UEFA Champions League titles, making him one of a select few to achieve that feat.
On the international scene, Bale made his debut for The Dragons in 2006. He has made 95 appearances for Wales and bagged 33 goals in the process. Bale was part of Wales' brilliant run at Euro 2016, where they lost to eventual winners Portugal in the semifinals.
Captain of Wales at Euro 2020, Bale has already led his side to a second-placed finish in Group A. With the knockout stages in sight, Wales fans worldwide will be hoping Bale delivers in the Round of 16.
#3. Giorgio Chiellini - Italy
Giorgio Chiellini's career has been illustrious to say the least.
The 36 year old has won pretty much every major trophy at club level. Currently in his 21st season in professional football, Chiellini is famed for his longevity and dedication. The Italian joined Juventus in 2004 after stints with Roma and Livorno, and has since gone on to create history.
Chiellini boasts a ridiculous nine Serie A titles, as well as a Serie B title with the Old Lady. He has also won the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana five times each.
Chiellini made his international debut in 2004 and has earned an impressive 109 caps with the Azzurri. Playing for Italy in his fourth UEFA Euro tournament, the veteran still commands a spot in the starting lineup after his impressive displays over the course of the season. With Italy looking like a strong outfit so far, winning Euro 2020 could be the final feather in Chiellini's cap.
#2. Pepe - Portugal
Pepe is a well-known name to football fans worldwide. Currently in his 20th professional season, it's fair to say that the 38 year old has been around for a while.
Pepe has played for five different clubs, most notably Real Madrid. The defender won three La Liga titles and three Champions League titles with Los Blancos during his ten years with the club.
The 38 year old made his international debut for Portugal in 2007, and has since earned 117 caps with Selecao. Currently in his fourth consecutive European tournament, Pepe was named man of the match in the 2016 final, where Portugal pipped France to lift the trophy.
Pepe has the fourth most caps of any player in Portuguese history and will be hoping to sign off in style at Euro 2020.
#1. Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal
A certified legend of the game, there isn't much to say about Cristiano Ronaldo that hasn't been said already.
Ronaldo's career achievements are second to none. His club-level accolades are simply astonishing, with the Portuguese having won 32 major trophies across three different leagues. These include several league titles in England, Spain and Italy as well as a record five UEFA Champions League titles.
Coming off a brilliant domestic season, Ronaldo seems to show no signs of slowing down at Euro 2020. With three goals in two games, Ronaldo is Portugal's captain at his fifth European tournament. No other player has featured at the Euros more than four times. He won Euro 2016 with Portugal and has featured on UEFA's Euro Team of the Season a record three times.
Having turned 36 recently, many critics believe Ronaldo will retire soon. Regardless of his future, Ronaldo will be looking to lead his country into the knockout stages at Euro 2020. A successful campaign would further cement Ronaldo's name as one of the best players in football history.
