It's difficult enough to represent your country at a World Cup, but to do it in the final chapter of your career defies logic.
Few are afforded the opportunity to strut their stuff on the grandest stage of all, never mind when there is a whole generation of new talent waiting in the wings, attempting to reach the top level.
From Pat Jennings to Roger Milla, we take a look back through the years at some of the oldest players to play at a World Cup.
1. Essam El Hadary - 45 years, 161 days
After losing their opening two matches at the 2018 World Cup, Egypt weren't playing for much heading into their clash against Saudi Arabia.
So, with little on the line, they decided to name Essam El Hadary as their starting goalkeeper and, in the process, made him the oldest player ever to feature at a World Cup.
El Hadary had been between the sticks during Egypt's domination of the Africa Cup of Nations between 2008 and 2012, but he was actually making his debut at the World Cup.
Unfortunately for Egypt, they lost 2-1, however, El Hadary made yet more history by becoming the first-ever African to save a penalty at the tournament.
2. Faryd Mondragon - 43 years, 3 days
Similarly to Egypt, there was little for the Colombians to play for having already been assured if a place in the knockout stages prior to their concluding group match of the 2014 finals against Japan.
Although his record was of course broken four years later by El Hadary, fellow 'keeper Faryd Mondragon did become the oldest player to play at a World Cup when he was subbed on with five minutes remaining against the Japanese.
Having featured in Colombia's 1998 World Cup campaign in France, he remains the player with the longest gap between successive World Cup appearances with 15 years and 363 days separating those matches.
3. Roger Milla - 42 years, 39 days
Following his famous 1990 World Cup campaign in Italy, Roger Milla cemented his name in footballing folklore.
His consolation goal in a 6-1 loss against Russia means that he remains the oldest player to score at a World Cup and his iconic corner-flag celebration will be something remembered by fans of a certain age for a long time.
All this is made more remarkable by the fact that he only appeared at the tournament after being convinced to end his international retirement by the president of Cameroon.
4. Pat Jennings - 41 years, 0 days
There can't be many better ways to spend your birthday than representing your country on the biggest stage all. However, Pat Jennings could have faced slightly easier opposition than the Brazil side that he was tasked with shutting out on Mexico.
Prolific striker Careca helped himself to a brace a goals in a 3-0 win for the Seleção, but it was Jennings who left having created history.
Amazingly, Jennings retired from league football a year prior to Mexico '86 and only maintained hit fitness by turning out for Tottenham Hotspur's reserve side.
5. Peter Shilton - 40 years, 292 days
Despite making his World Cup debut aged 32, Peter Shilton certainly made up for lost time.
He made 125 appearances for England across his career, with 17 of these coming in international football's flagship tournament. Shilton's final match for his country came at Italia '90 in the third-place play off against the hosts.
Remembered maybe unfairly for his part in Diego Maradona's famous 'Hand Of God' goal, is is worth noting that Shilton jointly holds the record for the most World Cup clean sheets alongside Fabien Barthez.
