Džeko, Ronaldo, Modric ... why are there so many o...

playDžeko 'happy' to be alongside Ronaldo and Modrić in World Cup over 40s club (1:45) BY THE TIME professional soccer players turn 40, most are talking about their careers in the past tense. Across the previous 22 FIFA World Cups, just one non-goalkeeper could talk about life as an over-40 player in the sport's greatest tournament: Cameroon's Roger Milla. Milla set Italia '90 alight with his wiggly hips celebration at the corner flag. He was there again in USA '94 as a 42-year-old, 24 years and 42 days older than teenage teammate Rigobert Song. But after this summer's tournament, Milla will have company. Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo is playing his sixth World Cup at the age of 41. Croatia's Luka Modric, 40, will play his fifth World Cup. And 42-year-old Qatar striker Sebastian Soria could yet feature. Then there's Bosnia-Herzegovina's Edin Džeko, 40, who has steered his country to its second-ever World Cup. "I'm so happy I can lead this team as captain, this great new generation, to the World Cup and many more to come," Džeko told ESPN. Is it a coincidence that in a single World Cup, one player in the over-40 club could possibly be joined by four others? Are they just unique, durable talents who have kept their bodies and minds as active as ever and remained indispensable to their country? Or do advancements in sports science, nutrition and management mean this will become far more frequent in editions to come? - The old guard of coaches set to shatter World Cup records - World Cup predictions: Picking the winner of every game - World Cup 2026: What you need to know about all 48 teams AN AUDIENCE WITH DZEKO is a humbling thing. After leading his club, Schalke 04, back to the Bundesliga, he flits between three languages while speaking with a large group of journalists. He fields questions about his time in Turkey, his tough six-month spell at Fiorentina, his love of Switzerland, playing for former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, and Bosnia-Herzegovina's World Cup prospects. Džeko is refreshed, excited, fully in love with the sport. But it wasn't like this back in December. His career has taken him from Teplice to Wolfsburg, Manchester City, Roma and Internazionale. He played in the 2014 World Cup -- Bosnia-Herzegovina's first as a country after gaining independence from Yugoslavia in 1992. After playing for Fenerbahce from 2023 to '25, he moved to Fiorentina. But he didn't click with the club. In dark moments earlier in the 2025-26 season, he thought his career was done. "When the results are not going well, when you're not playing like I wasn't at Fiorentina, there's a lot going on in the head," Džeko says. Nineteen years after making his senior debut for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Edin Džeko will captain his country at its second-ever World Cup. Srdjan Stevanovic - UEFA/UEFA via Getty ImagesPerhaps 40 was the end of his playing career. As the January window opened, he looked at offers, including a lucrative approach from Paris FC. But there was also one from Schalke, the German fallen giants who were relegated to the 2. Bundesliga in 2021. "In January, I needed some more love, something more emotional [than Fiorentina]. With Schalke, these fans and stadium are special and give me energy and emotional positivity, which means that you work hard in training and each match. ... Even after 20 years, having had almost everything, it still feels good and helps you continue," Džeko says. Also at the forefront of his mind was the World Cup. Bosnia-Herzegovina were in the UEFA playoffs and had to win two straight matches to qualify. Up first were Wales in the semifinals; Džeko scored Bosnia-Herzegovina's equalizer, and they advanced on penalties. Against Italy in the final, he assisted Haris Tabakovic's equalizer before they won another penalty shootout. "We had a tough path," Džeko said. "But as we prepared, we felt this positive energy, and the team really showed the quality of their personality and character." At the World Cup, he'll captain his country and play alongside a group of younger players who grew up idolizing him. "What can you not learn?" Stuttgart's Ermedin Demirovic said in March. "As a striker who has always been your idol, you should analyze every step he makes, because to perform like that at that age is unbelievable. ... He's a huge player, not only now and not only for Bosnians." There's an age difference of 21 years and six months between Džeko and teammate Kerim Alajbegovic, 18. "When I stand next to them, I'm like 'Oh, bro, I'm 22 years older than you,'" Džeko says. "It's crazy, but also means I did some good things in the past, and it means that I worked hard." Predict the final standings in every Group. $10,000 in prizes. Make Your Picks What's the secret to Džeko's longevity? "There's pain everywhere in the morning," he says. "You need a few minutes, when you stand up, it hurts, but it's your body updating you and helps keep your body in good shape. "I could never have i

Džeko, Ronaldo, Modric ... why are there so many o...

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