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The World Cup is the pinnacle of any player's career - an opportunity to write their names into the history books.
But for some Brazil represents their final chance to do so.
For these players by the time Fifa takes the World Cup to Russia in four years time, they'll more likely to be a pundit than be taking part on the pitch.
We take a look at 10 of the biggest names in the game, who while might have less running in their legs, will have no limit to their desire to etch themselves into World Cup folklore this summer.
Show all 10 1 /10World Cup 2014: The 10 best players featuring in their final tournament World Cup 2014: The 10 best players featuring in their final tournament Didier Drogba Drogba may have turned 36-years-old in March but the Chelsea legend hasn't lost any of his desire. He's had a mixed year in Turkey with Galatasaray and looks likely to be on move before next season and any side would benefit from his power, presence and goals. He is still the heartbeat and inspiration of the Ivory Coast team and will win his 100th cap in their first game against Japan on June 15. Not only is he the captain but also his country's leading goal scorer, with 63, and if any African nation ever had a realistic shot of going deep into a World Cup tournament, then it's Drogba's Elephants this time around.
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World Cup 2014: The 10 best players featuring in their final tournament Samuel Eto'o Much like the Ivory Coast and Dider Drogba, another Africa country will lose one of their greats in the coming years. Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o may well have just one last World Cup campaign in him, especially given that his country's chances of qualification are not always assured. During his first season with Chelsea last year, he notched nine goals in 21 league games and doesn't go into the tournament in the greatest of from. Regardless, Eto'o is pretty much Cameroon's only star player and, like Drogba, is his nation's captain and leading all time goal scorer. But, sadly, playing against Brazil on June 23 is likely to be the 33-year-old's only highlight this summer and the career of the African legend could well come to an end at the group stage.
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World Cup 2014: The 10 best players featuring in their final tournament Xavi and co Whether or not Spain make it two World Cups on the bounce, many of their stars look likely to bow out after Brazil. Xavi (34), Iker Casillas (33), David Villa (32), Xabi Alonso (32) and to an extent Andrea Iniesta and Fernando Torres (both 30) all have plenty of Spanish silverware in their respective cupboards but this summer may well be the last time they have the chance of add to it. Reigning world champions, Xavi and his tiki-taka teammates will want to show the world again that their way of playing football is still the best.
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World Cup 2014: The 10 best players featuring in their final tournament Julio Cesar The conundrum of the Brazilian goalkeeper had foxed the world for years before Cesar came along and nailed down the position. But, after his relegation with QPR and a loan spell treading water with Toronto in the MLS, his confidence and form has been dented dramatically. He'll be number one in goal, no doubt of that, but if the host nation do have any chinks in their armour, the goalkeeper position is certainly up there. Cesar will have his say though, and at 34-year-old, it'll be his final say on the biggest international stage. Having said that, lifting the World Cup on his own soil would be quite a way to bow out.
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World Cup 2014: The 10 best players featuring in their final tournament Miroslav Klose The German needs just two more goals to become the leading World Cup goal scoring of all-time, taking him past Ronaldo's 15 for Brazil. Klose will turn 36-years-old shortly before his country's first game with Portugal on June 16 and the marksmen will want to be on top form for the tournament. After his scoring for club side Lazio dipped last season, many were a touch surprised that he was still included in the Germany squad but not many players have World Cup pedigree and experience quite like Klose.
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World Cup 2014: The 10 best players featuring in their final tournament Ginuigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo England will face two old foes from the 2012 European Championships as they play Italy's Buffon and Pirlo on June 14. This summer's tournament will be the last time the world sees the two greats on the biggest stage. Buffon, 36, and Pirlo, 35, will notch over 250 appearances between them over the course of the World Cup and replacing these two is something any country across the globe would hate to have to do. Both plying their trade a Juventus, the pair will be the back bone of Italy's challenge for the title.
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World Cup 2014: The 10 best players featuring in their final tournament Giorgos Karagounis The Fulham faithful have enjoyed having Greece's captain in the ranks over the past two season, even if he was unable to help them avoid relegation. As the leading appearance maker for his country, Karagounis will provide all his experience and knowledge in abundance and given their slightly favourable group, the Greeks will want to give this World Cup a good go and give a better showing of themselves than that of four years ago. Their captain and leader will be at the heart of anything good they do.
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World Cup 2014: The 10 best players featuring in their final tournament Diego Forlan Forlan might have disappeared off the domestic club map but he is always a threat at major tournaments. The 35-year-old has 108 caps for Uruguay, the most for the country, but is now playing his club football for lowly Japanese side Cerezo Osaka. Never the less, the former Manchester United striker will want to continue his superb World Cup record. He scored five goals in the 2010 tournament, the joint highest, and trails Luis Suarez by just two goals on his country's list of all time top scorers.
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World Cup 2014: The 10 best players featuring in their final tournament Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard Among those christened the 'Golden Generation' earlier in their careers, both Lampard and Gerrard have now lost that weight of expectation from their shoulders and will have a tough decision on whether to prolong their England careers after Brazil. The pair are infamous for the debate over why they can't play well together but as England's most capped players, their country will need that experience in the camp. With well over 200 caps between them, both will be eager for one last crack at the World Cup nut and lay some demons of the past to rest. While Gerrard will captain and start every game, Lampard's inclusion in the team is far more uncertain but, either way, this World Cup will be a fitting way for two England's finest servants to, perhaps, call it a day.
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World Cup 2014: The 10 best players featuring in their final tournament Mario Yepes One player we definitely won't be seeing at a World Cup again is 38-year-old Colombian defender Mario Yepes. With close to 100 caps for his country, the centre-back will surely call time on his international career after this summer but he will still captain his side for their first match with Greece on June 14. Despite his 15 year career for Colombia, Yepes has never played in a World Cup and his superb service to his country will finally be rewarded this summer.
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Who from our selection do you think will make the biggest impact in Brazil? Let us know in the comments below.
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