Did you experience the World Cup 20 years ago, either in front of a screen, or in Germany, the host nation of the 2006 World Cup? Then you remember that a lot was very different from today. When the World Cup is played in the USA/Canada/Mexico, there are still four players who participated twenty years ago, who are still fighting out on the World Cup arena.
In 2006, we were texting from phones, Twitter had just been born, and streaming was almost like science fiction. Since then, the world has gone through economic crises and global pandemics that have completely transformed our society and the way we live. However, something has not changed: Four players from 2006 are still participating in the World Cup.
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Here’s a look back to 2006:
Lionel Messi
18 years old
FC Barcelona
Lionel Messi made his debut for the Argentine national team in 2005, and despite his young age, he was part of the entire qualification for the 2006 World Cup. Twenty years ago, there were also great expectations for Messi, who was proclaimed Argentina’s new savior. But his debut on the biggest stage was a mixed experience for Messi.
In Argentina’s first match against Ivory Coast, Messi did not come into action at all, and therefore people in Argentina were screaming for the dribbler to be in action in the following match.
The Argentines had their way when Messi was substituted 16 minutes early in the game against Serbia-Montenegro, but there was plenty of time to show the world what awaited them. Messi scored 1 and served 1 assist in the 6-0 victory, and thus the whole world saw that there was something special about the “bad” Argentine.
Messi started in the following match against the Netherlands, while he was substituted in the round of 16 against Mexico. However, he was unable to score or provide an assist.
Argentina were knocked out by hosts Germany in the quarter-finals on penalties, and national team coach José Néstor Pekerman once again chose to ignore Messi, who did not play.
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But it must be said that Lionel Messi has since taken revenge and created a unique World Cup career.
Lionel Messi’s 2006 World Cup: Three games with a goal and an assist.
Guillermo Ochoa
20 years
For Mexico
There was a time when the World Cup and Guillermo Ochoa did not go hand in hand. Ochoa was a great goalkeeper talent in Mexico in 2006, but the competition between the goals was fierce in the North American country. Oswaldo Sanchez was the clear first choice.
However, national team coach Ricardo La Volpe wanted a young goalkeeper to secure his future, and therefore it was decided to bring Ochoa from CF América to the final round. Ochoa also did not feature in action at the World Cup, as veteran Sanchez was a safe last resort for Mexico, who reached the round of 16 against Argentina.
It was Ochoa’s first encounter with Lionel Messi, who was substituted in that match, while the Mexican goalkeeper sat faithfully on the bench as a hope for the future. Guillermo Ochoas World Cup 2006: Sat on the bench in all four games.
Luka Modric
20 years old
Dinamo Zagreb
It was a brand new Luka Modric who stepped onto the World Cup stage for the first time in his career in 2006. A few months earlier, Modric had made his debut for the national team for Croatia, and at the time, few expected to see the great talent in the World Cup.
But in a short time, Modric became a regular part of the national team, and therefore he actually got playing time in all four test matches before the World Cup. Thus, the road to the World Cup squad was paved.
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At the 2006 World Cup, however, Modric had to start well, as he sat on the bench throughout the opening match against Brazil, which Croatia lost 0-1. National team coach Zlatko Kranjcar chose to use Modric in the two following matches, which were replaced by Japan and Australia.
Both games ended in a draw, and Croatia was therefore knocked out of the World Cup in the group stage. But it was the start of a great career for Modric, who gained important World Cup experience, which he has enjoyed for 20 years.
Luka Modric’s 2006 World Cup: Two-match substitute.
Cristiano Ronaldo
21 years old
Manchester United
Lionel Messi, Guillermo Ochoa and Luka Modric were all relatively new to their respective national teams when the 2006 World Cup started. However, the situation was different for Cristiano Ronaldo, who was already one of the profiles of the Portuguese national team.
Ronaldo had made his debut for the national team three years earlier in 2003, and therefore he was also part of the 2004 European Championship on home soil, where Portugal lost the final.
Ronaldo arrived at the 2006 World Cup as a big star, as he had already kicked open the door at Old Trafford with Manchester United, and therefore expectations were high for the Portuguese prodigy.
It was also a historic World Cup seen through Portuguese eyes, as they reached the semi-finals after several dramatic matches along the way.
It was in 2006 that Ronaldo was the focus of a rude look after Wayne Rooney was sent off in the quarter-final match between Portugal and England.
Ronaldo was very keen to have Rooney sent off after a foul, and this immediately sparked speculation about a bad atmosphere between the two Manchester United stars.
Ronaldo also ended up scoring the decisive kick in the penalty shootout against England, where he immediately pointed to the sky and sent a kiss. Ronaldo had lost his father a few months earlier.
However, it did not end with a World Cup title, as Ronaldo and co. were knocked out in the semi-finals by France, while losing to the hosts from Germany in the bronze medal match. Ronaldo scored a single goal in the 2006 World Cup in a 2-0 win over Iran in the group stage.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2006 World Cup: Six games and one single goal.
