By Ignacio Naya Jul 3, 2006, 18:28 GMT
Berlin - Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo have much in common. They have been voted best player in the world, became the first so- called 'galacticos' at Real Madrid and have returned from international retirement.
French team captain Zinedine Zidane kicks the ball during the quarter final match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup between Brazil and France in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday 01 July 2006. EPA/MATTHIAS SCHRADER
Now, captaining their countries, the 34- and 33-year-olds are performing with such distinction at the World Cup that they may well prompt FIFA into its own rethink and introduce a new award for over 30s.
Zidane and Figo also come together in the little matter of the semi-final of the World Cup on Wednesday.
They will shake hands in the centre circle at the start of the France-Portugal duel but when the final whistle is blown, one will return to the dressing room with the likely intention of hanging up his boots.
Zidane will certainly do so after his World Cup is over. The elegant midfielder has already bidden farewell to the Santiago Bernabeu and club football, reserving his last spurts of creative energy for Les Bleus push for the crown.
After an ordinary beginning, France have gone from strength-to- strength, culminating in the quarter-final defeat of world champions Brazil. Selecao coach Carlos Alberto Parreira described Zizou's performance in the game as 'his best in eight years'.
Following three trophy-less years at Real Madrid, Zidane appears a player reborn. 'It was so beautiful - now we are gunning to reach the final,' said the three-times player of the year who won the World Cup in 1998, the European Championship in 2000 and Champions League in 2002. 'We don't want this to end.'
Attributing his change of heart on the contents of a dream, Zidane persuaded, through more conventional means, Claude Makelele and Lilian Thuram to join him out of the international wilderness. Together with old friends Fabien Barthez and Patrick Vieira they have become the backbone of Raymond Domenech's team.
Portugal are a younger side, but not by much. Costinha and Pauleta know it's now or never. Figo, more than anybody, needs no reminding. The Inter Milan midfielder is the sole survivor from Portugal's 'golden generation', a group of players that won the world cup at youth level but disappointed with the senior side.
After losing in the final of the European Championship two years ago Figo had decided the time was right to say farewell to Portugal and concentrate on playing for his then club Real Madrid. But while the Spanish side prepared to dispense with his services, Luiz Felipe Scolari persuaded Figo to come back.
Although the skipper has given no indication he will retire for good after the World Cup, it appears inevitable after winning his 125th cap in the quarter-final against England. Leading Portugal to their equal best position at a World Cup has served to raise his standing to a level scaled only by the great Eusebio himself.
The star of Figo or Zidane may well blink out on Wednesday but its light seems destined to shine for ever.
Your Talkback on this Story