France: Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane, the most expensive player in the history of football and the inspiration behind France’s 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 triumphs, is primed for action on the global stage once again this summer.

The Real Madrid midfield maestro celebrates his 30th birthday on June 23, 2002, and unless the well-oiled French machine suffers a catastrophic breakdown, expect Zidane and Co to be marking the occasion with a quiet sip of wine in anticipation for a semi-final date three days later.