Just one more time

It8217;s sumptuous, yet surreal. As the world celebrates the football festival, Sujit Bhar raises a toast to those icons who may not return to the game8217;s biggest show again

The basics are as plinth-level as pigskin and bootstraps, the emotions as uneducated as beer burps, rarely polished as in Albert Camus. Soccer8217;s nirvana is muddy and sweaty, and every four years sales of deodorants slump.

Bavaria, the land of machismo and music, and art and fascism, will see, till July 9, green grimy canvasses painted in the enchanting colours of Robinho8217;s 8216;scissor8217; dummies on ball he is known to be able to do six at a time, though people have seen no more than three, or in the primaries of boy wonder Theo Walcott.

There is sense in this madness. Last time the Azzurri went around in Giorgio Armani suits. That was expected. This time Armani has had the better of Savile Row and has provided the English gentlemen adequate coverage.

Finally, it does not matter. Finally, all reputation that precedes enigma ends at the goalmouth, or past the goalkeeper8217;s slimy hands, into the netting. Finally it8217;s nature, and death of a reputation, or the birth of another.

Let us take a look at those for whom this should be the last World Cup.

OLIVER KAHN

Not one to be mentioned first, but one can8217;t help nourishing that gnome inside one8217;s head, and that smirk!

Man, oh man, is he sad. But, in the time-tested tradition of gossip, one has to look at the first match of Germany 2006, and see how Jens Lehmann missed Paulo Wanchope8217;s second strike for Costa Rica in the 73rd minute. It was a good goal, but damn it, isn8217;t this the World Cup?

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8226; Career rollout: At Karlsruhe SC 1975 when he was six. First team in 1987 before joining the big boys at Bayern Munich in 1994.

8226; Success: Bundesliga titles, a UEFA Cup, UEFA Champions League. World8217;s best goalkeeper 1999 and 2001. His three Champions League final saves 2001 helped Bayern8217;s victory over Valencia. Conceded only 28 goals in 32 Bundesliga games, including victory against Arsenal with National No. 1 8217;keeper Jens Lehmann under the bar.

8226; Record: In the Bundesliga, 737 minutes without conceding a goal 2002-03.

FABIEN BARTHEZ

Better known unfortunately for his athleticism, anticipation and sublime saves and his eccentricity than for his brilliant pate, this Frenchman nears his final days.

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8226; Career rollout: Born 28 June 1971 in Lavelanet, France. Currently goalkeeper for Olympique Marseille. First division debut vs Nancy 1991. Over the Olympique Marseille, wins European Cup 1992. First French cap in 1994vs Australia. To Monaco 1995, to Manchester United 2000 for 7.8 million pounds.

8226; Success: French titles 1997 038; 2000. English Premier League titles 2001 038; 2003. Won the World Cup with France, conceding two goals in seven games at home. Won the 2000 European Championship.

ZINEDINE ZIDANE

His is an immigrant success story. Algerians aren8217;t the most welcome of people in France, if his name isn8217;t 8216;Zizou8217;, a name the midfield maestro earned through France8217;s victorious 1998 World Cup campaign. That was the Marseille-born8217;s nirvana, a state of elevation from which he could easily have retired. Two goals into the Brazil net created another legend. This is just one more time, though.

8226; Career rollout: Debut for AS Cannes 1988-89, moves to FC Girondins de Bordeaux. Bordeaux reach final of UEFA Cup 1995-96. Moves to Juventus. Over to Real Madrid 2001 for a record 76 million Euros. Madrid win Champions League 2001-02. Adds UEFA Super Cup and Spanish championship title 2002-03.

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8226; Success: Scored twice on debut against the Czech Republic 1994. Then, after World Cup victory, to the French triumph at UEFA Euro 2000. Injury pushed him out of all but one match last time, in Korea and Japan yet, fantastic at Euro 2004. Retirement. Then voila!, return to national team for 2006 qualifying! Among the small change are two Serie A titles with Juventus. Voted the No. 1 European player of the past 50 years in UEFA8217;s jubilee poll 2004-05.

Those are the legends, for who we will ine. Then there are those who are like the lovely niggles, those fancy scratches that we never want to miss.

Cafu8217;s second stint as Brazil skipper could also be his last stint on the World Cup scenario. So, before we forget, his full name happens to be Marcos Evangelista de Moraes. Not that that made him any more famous.

Edwin van der Saar8217;s tenure as Dutch 8217;keeper doesn8217;t look quite near over if one considers his form, but goalkeepers aren8217;t the most rational lot in the world of soccer.

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One could also have to say goodbye to Czech striker Jan Koller. But before we shake hands and part, let it be remembered that he is the all-time leading scorer for either the Czech Republic or the former Czechoslovakia 8212; 42 goals.

5 THINGS TO KNOW

The favourites: Brazil

Obviously. More class on the bench than most teams have in their starting XIs but can they keep out the goals?

Outside tip: Holland

The Dutch owe everyone a treat and this time they have the goods. Great attack 8212; Robben and Kuyt on the wings feeding van Nistelrooy 8212; and solid midfield. Problem is, they may live up to their reputation of underperforming.

Dark Horses: Spain

The agility of Casillas, the wisdom of Puyol, the precocity of Fabregas8230;.and the flagging form of Raul. Can go places if they play Villa and Torres but do they have the cojones to bench their skipper?

Match this!: Argentina vs Netherlands June 22, 0030 IST

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Need we say more? Great attacking teams, great reputations and the possibility that Lionel Messi could play. That8217;s reason enough to watch this. France-Switzerland June 13, 1860 IST is good if you can8217;t wait8230;

5 names to know Pauleta: Portugal8217;s record-breaking scorer, plies his trade in France

Carlos Tevez: Argentinian who plays in Brazil and is a huge star at that. May not start all games for his country but keep an eye out

Ali Karimi: Iran8217;s 8216;8216;Asian Maradona8217;8217; who plays in Germany and is a wiz at scheming and passing.

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Arouna kone: Ivory Coast No 9, plays alongside the more flamboyant Drogba. Is astar for PSV Eindhoven

Shunsuke Nakamura: Japan8217;s new star. Currently playing for Celtic in the Scottish Premier League.

8212; Jayaditya Gupta