The New World

Times have changed, though not impossible, is really difficult to see today a one club man, or simply a player who, once past their best days, seek an retail destination in the same league where they were the best. It was the case of Di Stefano and Cruyff with Espanyol with Levante. In modern times it is not surprising to see how the great players live the twilight of their careers in countries that had not sounded like football, but it's nothing new: since at the time Pele and Beckenbauer surprised everyone by announcing his arrival in the American League for shield to defend New York Cosmos, but what were once isolated cases today is second nature and no longer surprising to see how they were the best players in the world choose destinations like Qatar, China and Russia (although it could be considered as such a strong league) to live a new experience and sign contracts succulent eager to star in competitions that attract public attention and the eyes of the world. Below are some of the most notorious cases of these players that one day they were all and are reluctant to stop off the grass.

Raul Gonzalez (Al Sadd)

Once your memorable time with Real Madrid, Raul refused to leave the high-level football and decided to try his luck in the Bundesliga, and in just two years became an idol for the fans of Schalke proving that he still had much football boots and a few goals for scoring. This year, completed 35, decided it was time to stop for a while, meet other horizons and step collect a good salary, and so decided to go to Qatar to wear the shirt of Al Sadd, who wears a color that does not wonder, and which has already scored good goals , one of lack included.

Alessandro Del Piero (Sydney FC)

A quick start in Padova and a life lived as bianconero where Pinturicchio best and worst moments, but mainly where myth became Juventus leaving brushstrokes eternal fan's memory. Its share fell last year, but he left without leaving Juventus back on top as champion of Italy. Term contract and after a summer of rumors, finally decided to emigrate to the A-League to play for Sydney FC. As it could be otherwise is an idol and justifying that status with goals like this , the result of his specialty.

Didier Drogba (Shanghai Shenhua)

Like Raul, Drogba is no stranger to the color of your new shirt, but no longer wearing the blue of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but the blue Shanghai Shenhua in the Chinese Super League. Last season, the Ivorian finally lifted the Champions League dream and decided it was time to leave England and try an exotic destination like the emerging affluent Chinese league, but if something showed the front in the last edition of the Champions is that still had strength and to play football at the highest level, and therefore did not lack interest from clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid. In Shanghai he is reunited with an old acquaintance as Nicolas Anelka .

Diego Forlan (Internacional of Porto Alegre)

While it may surprise his departure from Europe, the Uruguayan striker has not sought a minor destination where to play their last matches, but chose the competitive Brazilian league (the best of America) to wear the shirt of one of the strong teams such as the International Porto Alegre. It triumphed in the Premier, it was all for Villarreal and Atletico in Spain and had no luck on her adventure in the Calcio. After a bad year at Inter, Forlan wants revenge this year in the Brasileirao, where it began with good sense but is starting to find the net. Back in Brazil also plays another old known as Clarence Seedorf in the ranks of Botafogo.

Frederic Kanoute (Beijing Guoan)

From him say has been the best player in the history of Sevilla, and I do not walk misguided. Direct witness and essential piece of the story better Sevilla, distilled Kanoute now, at 35 years, and elegance in the Chinese Super League football in the ranks of Beijing Guoan. After seven years in the state sevillista no doubt that you are missing the Sanchez Pizjuan Giant class Mali, who was also on the table an offer from UAE. 290 games and 136 goals were magnificent numbers with the sheepskin Seville. Joffre's companion Guerrón, Ecuadorian end we were unlucky in Getafe.

Alessandro Nesta (Montreal Impact)

One of the best defenders of the last decade and a cornerstone of the Italian champions Lazio and the Cup Winners Cup, the Italian world champion in 2006 and European champions Milan twice. An impressive track record of this defense at age 36 decided to emigrate to the U.S. soccer league to play in the ranks of the Montreal Impact. You should not feel alone in Canada at the same club also play Italian and ex valencianistas Corradi and Di Vaio, plus Matteo Ferrari. Viewing the list of central Milan would not surprise me to continue being a fixture in the rear Rossoneri have continued in San Siro.

Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)

When Wenger came to him for help in a delicate time Arsenal did not think twice, packed up, took a plane and stood in London to return to wear the shirt on loan from the club that saw the best version of French. But before and after being part of the sextet Barcelona, ​​Henry was signed by the New York Red Bulls to become the highest paid player in Major League Soccer, ahead of David Beckham. Henry has not disappointed and has not stopped scoring goals since he landed at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey, where another illustrious colleague former Barcelona and Rafa Marquez.

Gennaro Gattuso (Sion)

Another illustrious member of the last European champions Milan and the Italian national champion of the world, and certainly one of its most charismatic players. After completing his time in Milan and with the happy news of their return to soccer after the delicate optical nerve problem, Gattuso surprised with his move to Swiss Sion instead of choosing another destination more in line with the times. His original intention was to return to Glasgow, where they already played for over ten years and coincide with Gascoigne , but the economic disaster of the Scottish club's return Rino truncated. In his first match in Switzerland and saw the first yellow card.

Rivaldo (Kabuscorp)

The Brazilian signed for Ajax, despite appearances. The most bizarre of all unexpected at their destination: the Golden Ball and former Barcelona star decided to sign for Kabuscorp of Angola , where he offered a hearty contract, giving another twist to this new exotic destinations. After playing in Brazil (several times), Spain, Italy, Greece and even Uzbekistan, was difficult to predict its landing in African football, where despite not having at first for their coach has given him time to score 11 goals in 21 games before his contract expired recently. At 40 years has not yet announced his retirement: yet another surprise could give us.

In NDF | Dressed another shirt
In NDF | They are not remembered for that shirt