Norman Whiteside can watch Russia 2018 within the consolation of realizing that his World Cup document is protected, as no person youthful has been known as up for his or her respective nations this summer time (Whiteside made his World Cup debut at the tender age of 17 years and 41 days). Similarly no person can match Lothar Matheus's 25 World Cup appearances, with the best look maker set to play in Russia having totalled simply 16.
But the information of different World Cup greats corresponding to Diego Maradona and Miroslav Klose are underneath menace. Here are the six gamers more likely to threaten them and be written into the document books this summer time...
6. James Rodríguez - Scoring in Every Match in Two Consecutive World Cups
After scoring six objectives in 5 matches within the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, James Rodríguez has the chance to attain in each one in every of his nations video games over two consecutive competitions.
Encouragingly for the Colombian No.10, he'll go into his first sport towards Senegal buoyed by an wonderful document towards African sides, whereas Japan, who're additionally in Colombia's group, are likely to wrestle defensively. Poland could also be his greatest problem within the group phases, and after that you'd anticipate it to be tough for Rodríguez to proceed such positive goalscoring type heading into the knockout rounds.
5. Manuel Neuer - Clean Sheets
After Joachim Low confirmed that Neuer will begin as Germany's primary this summer time, it's now inside the realms of risk that the German shot-stopper might break the document for probably the most World Cup clear sheets.
England's Peter Shilton and France's Fabian Barthez are the present holders of the document with ten, however Neuer has collected seven clear sheets over the 2 tournaments he has performed in.
A sometimes resolute German defensive efficiency within the group phases plus a run to the ultimate might generate the 4 he wants to assert the document for himself.
4. Essam El-Hadary - Oldest Player to Compete
Essam El-Hadary is at present the oldest participant to have been known as as much as a World Cup squad, however ought to the Egyptian goalkeeper characteristic at the competitors he can be the oldest participant ever to have performed within the worldwide competitors.
The 45-year-old made his debut all the way in which again in 1993 as a fresh-faced 20-year-old whereas enjoying for Damietta in his native Egypt, and earned his first of 157 caps for Egypt in 1996, some 10 months earlier than his youngest teammate in Russia, Stoke's Ramadan Sobhi, was born.
Should he play this summer time, he would break Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon's document, who stood between the sticks aged 43 in 2014.
3. Rafa Marquez - Most Cards in World Cup History/Most Appearances as Captain
Mexico's 39-year-old Rafa Marquez might grow to be probably the most carded participant in world cup historical past this summer time, ought to the previous Barcelona defender obtain only one crimson or yellow card at the match. He is at present degree with Zinedine Zidane on six playing cards, however he faces competitors from Tim Cahill who has 5 playing cards to his identify.
But this isn't the document Marquez will need to earn in Russia. It can also be attainable for the Mexican to interrupt the document for probably the most World Cup appearances as captain. The document is at present held by Diego Maradona with 16 appearances, however ought to Marquez make three appearances as Mexico's skipper this summer time he'll return with a way more coveted document.
2. Lionel Messi - Goals Scored As Captain/Consecutive Golden Balls
Like Marquez, Messi can also be chasing down one in every of Diego Maradonna's World Cup information - probably the most World Cup objectives scored whereas captaining the crew.
Diego Maradona bagged six World Cup objectives whereas holding the armband, that means after Lionel Messi scored 4 instances as captain at Brazil 2014, he now solely wants one to go joint-second and two to equal the previous Argentine No.10.
Messi might additionally grow to be the primary participant to win the Golden Ball award in consecutive World Cup competitions ought to his performances in Russia benefit being named the match's greatest participant.
1. Thomas Müller - Most Goals in World Cup History
Müller is simply six objectives away from breaking his countryman Miroslav Klose's document of probably the most objectives scored in World Cup competitions this summer time.
The World Cup Golden Boot winner sometimes scores six objectives over the course of the competitors, that means it's possible that Müller might go away Russia a document holder.
And it isn't simply the document of prime goalscorer that Müller would surpass. Should he bag 5 or extra objectives this summer time he would grow to be the primary participant to attain 5 in three consecutive World Cups, after having bagged 5 apiece in South Africa and Brazil.