GIVEN HOW MANY famous people there are in the world there are probably a few days of the year where loads of celebrities share birthdays but today seems to have more than most.
John Travolta, Dr Dre and Matt Dillon are all marking their personal anniversaries today but there’s also a load of footballers who also have reason to celebrate.
Here is a definitive power ranking of the seven best players born on 18 February.
7. Anton Ferdinand (30)
Associated Press
Associated Press
It was always going to be hard for Anton to make a mark in football since his brother played the same position as him and was also a lot better. Still, he has made a solid career for himself but occupies last spot here in part because of his dodgy dreadlocks.
Gillespie was a member of the famous ‘Class of 92′ at Man United and while he never found success there he had a good spell with Kevin Keegan’s swashbuckling Newcastle and was able to find interested clubs to take him on up until a few years ago.
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5. Josep Simunic (36)
Defender Simunic played in the Bundesliga for over ten years and represented Croatia at two World Cups and three European Championships. However, Simunic missed the tournament last summer for doing a fascist salute against Iceland in November 2013.
He was also the player who doddering Graham Poll gave three yellow cards to at the ’06 World Cup.
Jenas was one of the brightest talents in England during his time at Newcastle and it is hard to believe that he is turning 32 today. He is currently a free agent as QPR chose not to renew his contract last summer but he will always have this goal against United – and Martin Tyler’s cringetastic endorsement of ‘Jenas by name, GENIUS by nature’.
We already covered Neville’s birthday a bit earlier but like a a Beanie Baby, the former United defender is getting more valuable with age. He has won over many rival fans with his honest and entertaining punditry and his slagging matches with Sky colleagues.
The best tribute you can pay to Claude is that if you are ever playing 5-a-side and ask somebody to slot into the ‘Makélélé role’, they’ll know what you mean.
1. Roberto Baggio (48)
Phil O'Brien
Phil O'Brien
The ponytail was questionable but his play was anything but. If you are old enough to remember Italia 90 and USA 94 then you will know just how magical Roberto Baggio could be. Even as recently as last September he was bamboozling goalkeepers with his array of tricks.
You could create an unreal 5-a-side team made up of footballers whose birthday is today
GIVEN HOW MANY famous people there are in the world there are probably a few days of the year where loads of celebrities share birthdays but today seems to have more than most.
John Travolta, Dr Dre and Matt Dillon are all marking their personal anniversaries today but there’s also a load of footballers who also have reason to celebrate.
Here is a definitive power ranking of the seven best players born on 18 February.
7. Anton Ferdinand (30)
It was always going to be hard for Anton to make a mark in football since his brother played the same position as him and was also a lot better. Still, he has made a solid career for himself but occupies last spot here in part because of his dodgy dreadlocks.
6. Keith Gillespie (40)
Gillespie was a member of the famous ‘Class of 92′ at Man United and while he never found success there he had a good spell with Kevin Keegan’s swashbuckling Newcastle and was able to find interested clubs to take him on up until a few years ago.
5. Josep Simunic (36)
Defender Simunic played in the Bundesliga for over ten years and represented Croatia at two World Cups and three European Championships. However, Simunic missed the tournament last summer for doing a fascist salute against Iceland in November 2013.
He was also the player who doddering Graham Poll gave three yellow cards to at the ’06 World Cup.
4. Jermaine Jenas (32)
Jenas was one of the brightest talents in England during his time at Newcastle and it is hard to believe that he is turning 32 today. He is currently a free agent as QPR chose not to renew his contract last summer but he will always have this goal against United – and Martin Tyler’s cringetastic endorsement of ‘Jenas by name, GENIUS by nature’.
3. Gary Neville (40)
We already covered Neville’s birthday a bit earlier but like a a Beanie Baby, the former United defender is getting more valuable with age. He has won over many rival fans with his honest and entertaining punditry and his slagging matches with Sky colleagues.
2. Claude Makélélé (42)
The best tribute you can pay to Claude is that if you are ever playing 5-a-side and ask somebody to slot into the ‘Makélélé role’, they’ll know what you mean.
1. Roberto Baggio (48)
The ponytail was questionable but his play was anything but. If you are old enough to remember Italia 90 and USA 94 then you will know just how magical Roberto Baggio could be. Even as recently as last September he was bamboozling goalkeepers with his array of tricks.
You have the makings of a quality 5-a-side team there, just need to sort out a keeper. Maybe Anton Ferdinand can play the Manuel Neuer role.
And as reader Kevin Ward pointed out to me, Bobby Robson (RIP) could have been their manager.
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celebration Claude Makelele Gary Neville Happy Birthday Roberto Baggio