And it's not alone: Messi is 35 years-old, at his fifth FIFA World Cup. Just like Cristiano Ronaldo, who will be 38 in February. Or Luka Modrić, who made the cut for Croatia in 2006 at just 20.

Ronaldo made his World Cup debut in 2006 - at the age of 21 - when the tournament was held in Germany and he formed a crucial part of Luiz Felipe Scolari's team alongside the likes of Luis Figo ...

Ronaldo's best finish was a semifinals run in 2006, when Portugal lost to France. Check out a year-by-year breakdown of their World Cup scoring production below. Lionel Messi: 2006: 1 2010: 0 2014: 4 ...

Cristiano Ronaldo was ready to sign for Valencia in 2006 after his World Cup bust-up with Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney. So says Valencia's former sporting director Amedeo Carboni, who ...

Cristiano Ronaldo agreed a move to Valencia in 2006, claims the club’s former sporting director Amedeo Carboni, but a switch from Manchester United never materialised.

Lionel Messi quickly established himself as Diego Maradona's heir for Argentina. However, he got an early taste of major tournament frustration at the 2006 World Cup.

Brazil striker Ronaldo said he was planning to shoot Brazil to World Cup glory after breaking Gerd Muller's tournament goalscoring record. Ronaldo took his tally to 15 with his goal against Ghana in a ...

Ronaldo currently weighs 189 pounds, according to his official website. Brazilian doctors won’t confirm or deny the information, or say how much weight he has lost since the beginning of Brazil ...

RELATED BBC SITES NEWS WEATHER Last Updated: Thursday, 6 July 2006, 06:38 GMT 07:38 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Backlash begins for Ronaldo By Phil McNulty Chief football writer ...