Oldest player to play in a World Cup | Egypt’s goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary is all set to surpass Colombian keeper Faryd Mondragon as the oldest player to play in a World Cup. When Mondragon took the field in Brazil 2014, he was 43 years and three days old. El-Hadary who also captains the side, will be 45 years and five months old when ‘The Pharoahs’ take the field in Russia.
2/5
Most goals scored | Thomas Mueller could surpass compatriot Miroslav Klose as the highest goalscorer in the tournament’s history. Miroslav Klose finally surpassed the Brazilian Ronaldo (15) during his fourth and final tournament in 2014 when he scored his 16th goal during Germany’s 7-1 rout of Brazil in the semis. Mueller playing only his third tournament has 10 goals to his name even though he doesn’t play in the main striker’s position.
3/5
First two-time winner of the Golden Ball | While the World Cup has had a number of players who have left spectators spellbound with their dazzling performances, yet no player in the competition’s history has picked up the coveted ‘Golden Ball’ award twice. Messi was adjudged best player of the tournament in Brazil 2014 after he single handedly guided Argentina to the tournament’s final. With Messi still in top form, there are high chances of him setting yet another record in Russia.
4/5
Most cards received | Zinedine Zidane, Cafu and Rafael Marquez are joint holders of the infamous record of most cards received on the world stage with six cards each. With 39-year-old Marquez set to take the field for his fifth World Cup, we could expect the combative centre-back to overtake the others on this chart.
Most wins via penalty shootout | Argentina and Germany currently share the record for most wins via penalty shootouts with four each. Germany have been the more clinical of the two with four wins out of four shootouts, while Argentina have participated in five shootouts with their only loss coming ironically at the hands of Germany.
