World Cup 2006 Milestone thread

[ChaChaFut]

In a few weeks we will know which 32 teams will be in Germany 2006, and I wanted to start a thread for possible milestones that teams and players could reach there.

I'll start with a list of players who have previously played in 3 world cups, and could potentially be appearing in their fourth, since they are still active. (Note: Being in the roster and not playing at least one minute in the WC does not count as a played cup).

Mohammed Al Deayea, KSA 1994-2002
Sami Al Jaber, KSA 1994-2002
Jay Jay Okocha, NGA 1994-2002*
Cafu, BRA 1994-2002
Cobi Jones, USA 1994-2002
Raymond Kalla, CMR 1994-2002*
Rigobert Song, CMR 1994-2002*
Ariel Ortega, ARG 1994-2002

*NT yet to qualify

Which ones do you think will make it?
Which ones should be already discarded?
Is there any other player I forgot about?

[tpmazembe]

I'll add a couple.

Ronaldo could become the WC all-time leading goal scorer with just 3 more goals.

IF Brasil make it to the finals Cafu will have a record, probably never to be broken, of four successive WC final appearances.

[deejay]

I'll add a couple.

Ronaldo could become the WC all-time leading goal scorer with just 3 more goals.

IF Brasil make it to the finals Cafu will have a record, probably never to be broken, of four successive WC final appearances.

No, that Mexican keeper of the 50's and 60's has the record. 5 succesive world cups. That's never going to be broken.

[girco]

No, that Mexican keeper of the 50's and 60's has the record. 5 succesive world cups. That's never going to be broken.
Since when Mexico has ever reached a WC final match?
That's obviously what tpmazembe meant
And yes, Carbajal (sp?) holds the record for most WC's played

[ChaChaFut]

Yes, Antonio Carbajal of Mexico shares the record of 5 world cups played with German legend Lothar Matthaus, but tpmazembe was referring to WC final appearances.

IF Brasil make it to the finals Cafu will have a record, probably never to be broken, of four successive WC final appearances.

[ChaChaFut]

Ronaldo could become the WC all-time leading goal scorer with just 3 more goals.

IF Brasil make it to the finals Cafu will have a record, probably never to be broken, of four successive WC final appearances.

Right. Ronaldo's chance at breaking that record is definitely the most important individual milestone that could be achieved in Germany 2006.

I bet a lot of German fans are rooting against this, which I don't blame them for. Der Bomber's record of 14 goals is one of the greatest feats of that nation's greatest striker. And I have no doubt there is another big number of people (Brazil traditionals?) who don't even want him to surpass Pele (currently tied with him at 12 goals). But I promise you, as long as he is there and gets enough playing time, he will score.

Statistically, Ronaldo has scored a goal roughly every 100 minutes of world cup play, so if he is an every game starter, and you consider substitutions and all, I would expect him to break Muller's record by quarterfinals, assuming Brazil makes it to that instance.


IF Brasil make it to the finals Cafu will have a record, probably never to be broken, of four successive WC final appearances.
Cafu has it a little more difficult to me, but if he stays in shape, gets the call and in fact improves his mark to 4 consecutive finals, I agree; that's going to be almost impossible to break. Few players have the luck of even playing 4 cups (less than 20 so far, plus the new candidates, see post # 1 on this thread) do not mention reaching 4 WC finals.

[Ombak]

Cafu has it a little more difficult to me, but if he stays in shape, gets the call and in fact improves his mark to 4 consecutive finals, I agree; that's going to be almost impossible to break. Few players have the luck of even playing 4 cups (less than 20 so far, plus the new candidates, see post # 1 on this thread) do not mention reaching 4 WC finals.Cafu is and will be the starter for Brazil. If Brazil is in the final, Cafu will have this record.

It is very unlikely -almost impossible- that Cicinho will beat him out for the starting position.

Saying "if he gets the call" is rather strange.

[Timanfaya]

Since when Mexico has ever reached a WC final match?
That's obviously what tpmazembe meant


It's not that obvious, because he said:
IF Brasil make it to the finals Cafu will have a record

...so some of us (deejay and me, at least) didn't realise that he meant "to the final". An easy misunderstanding to make, really. Sorry.

[Ombak]

It's not that obvious, because he said:


...so some of us (deejay and me, at least) didn't realise that he meant "to the final". An easy misunderstanding to make, really. Sorry.I agree, but Brazil has already qualified for the finals...

Anyways, Carbaja's record is probably not going to be beat... maybe equaled... but I doubt it will be beat.

[ChaChaFut]

Cafu is and will be the starter for Brazil. If Brazil is in the final, Cafu will have this record.

It is very unlikely -almost impossible- that Cicinho will beat him out for the starting position.

Saying "if he gets the call" is rather strange.
OK well, that sounds great. I am just being conservative, because he is not 25 years old. That's why I said "If he stays in shape", because I do think he is in good shape, but you never know.

He would definitely provide the experience and leadership that Brazil needs to repeat as world champions. I am still reserved about it, but I will root for him.

[girco]

Cafu won't be starting at the World Cup for Brasil if and only if he's injured (knocks on wood)
And frankly speaking, I can't recall the last time Cafu missed a NT match due to injury, if that ever happened
Trust me, I follow the everyday of Brazilian football (I'm sure Ombak does as well), I should know my thing ;)

[midknight]

Didn't he miss the match against Paraguay?

[girco]

He was suspended due to yellow cards if memory serves me well
Now that I come to think of it, didn't Cafu miss the final vs France for the same reason?
I remember Zé Carlos playing the final in his place

[Kaushik]

He was suspended due to yellow cards if memory serves me well
Now that I come to think of it, didn't Cafu miss the final vs France for the same reason?
I remember Zé Carlos playing the final in his placeCafu played in the final in 1998. He missed the S/F against Holland due to suspension. Ze Carlos played in his place. Luckily Overmas, who was in amazing form, was injured (came on as a sub), otherwise it could have spelt disaster for Brazil had he attacked from the left wing. I find it strange even to this day as to why Overmas, when he did come on, started playing on the right wing (he was operating from the other side most of the time in the earlier matches). He was up against Roberto Carlos and couldn't get past him, but would have had it easy against Ze Carlos.

[California Jack]

who is the youngest player to appear in a World Cup?

How old will Freddy be on June 9, 2006?

[eurodad]

who is the youngest player to appear in a World Cup?

How old will Freddy be on June 9, 2006?

Good question. How old is he really ? He is fun to watch out there.

[jec1]

18or19

[tpmazembe]

who is the youngest player to appear in a World Cup?

How old will Freddy be on June 9, 2006?Norman Whiteside of N.Ireland at WC 1982. He was 17 years and 41 days old.

That I knew because a big deal was made of it at the time, having beaten Pele's record.

Come to find out (google search) the youngest list has changed even more since then.

1) Norman Whiteside - 17 years and 41 days
2) Samuel Eto'o - 17 years old and 99 days
3) Femi Opabunmi (Nigeria) - 17 years and 101 days
4) Pele - 17 years and 234 days
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-06/12/content_437222.htm

I didn't realize Eto'o was so young in Japan/Korea. By virtue of having scored in the game against Saudi Arabia, Eto'o is the youngest to have scored at the WC (though Pele is still the youngest by a bit to have also scored in second round and Final games).

With absolutely no reason not to believe Adu was born on June 2, 1989 - if young Freddy plays a minute in Germany he will now top the youngest appearance list at almost exactly 17 years of age (+7 to 15 days depending on when he makes his debut).

[Sinter]

Freddy won't appear in WC '06 please let it die...

[ChaChaFut]

The youngest player ever to appear in the world cup was Norman Whiteside of Northern Ireland on Jun 6, 1982 (17 y 41 d) Freddy Adu will turn 17 in Jun 2, which means he would break this record if he plays. Good one.