The hard player: Didier Zokora
Didier Zokora was born on 14 December 1980 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. A tenacious defensive midfielder, he built his reputation in Belgium with KRC Genk, making 147 appearances and scoring 2 goals. He then crossed the Channel to join Tottenham Hotspur, where he played 134 matches without finding the net: the kind of player who does the dirty work without seeking the spotlight.
His European journey also took him to Sevilla FC for 79 matches, then to AS Saint-Étienne where he turned out 75 times in green. In Turkey, he represented Trabzonspor across 105 matches. With the Ivorian national team, Zokora reached the impressive milestone of 123 caps, scoring just 1 goal: a tireless worker in the shadows for the Elephants, recognised by only 32% of players.
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PlayThe medium player: Tomáš Rosický
Tomáš Rosický was born on 4 October 1980 in Prague, in what was then Czechoslovakia. An attacking midfielder by trade, he began his career at Sparta Prague, making 61 appearances and scoring 12 goals. He then moved to Borussia Dortmund, where he racked up 189 matches and 24 goals, establishing himself as a key creative force in the Bundesliga.
His spell at Arsenal FC stands as the longest of his career outside Prague: 247 matches and 28 goals in Gunners colours. Before hanging up his boots, he returned to Sparta Prague for a final 13 matches, adding one more goal to his tally. Internationally, Rosický represented the Czech Republic from a young age, playing 16 matches and scoring 6 goals at under-17 level.
The easy player: Paolo Maldini
Paolo Maldini was born on 26 June 1968 in Milan, Italy. A defender through and through, he wore just one club shirt throughout his entire career: AC Milan. Across 902 appearances in rossonero, he scored 33 goals.
On the international stage, Maldini represented Italy 126 times, netting 7 goals. Absolute loyalty to one club, a decorated career with the Azzurri: the portrait of an exceptional defender built on longevity and commitment.