Different from the poetic description of youth as "a state of mind" by American poet Samuel Ullman, in reality, age and injury are problems that every player has to face in sports.
Football, the world's most popular sport, staged its once-in-a-four-year tournament, the FIFA World Cup, in Qatar. It was the 22nd edition of the competition and the first played in the Arab world. It took place from November 20 to December 18, 2022.
For the first time, the world's best footballers, including legends, veterans and new talents, gathered for a World Cup in winter.
The tournament could be the "last dance" for veteran players such as Lionel Messi of Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Luka Modric of Croatia, and was also a platform for a new generation of exciting young stars.
This article explores the generational differences among footballers at the Qatar World Cup.
Oldest and youngest footballers at Qatar World Cup
Designed by CGTN's Zhu Shangfan
Alfredo Talavera of Mexico prepares to warm up prior to the group match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, November 30, 2022. /CFP
Eiji Kawashima of Japan waves to spectators after his team's loss to Croatia during the round of 16 match at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar, December 5, 2022. /CFP
Remko Pasveer of the Netherlands applauds after his team's 2-0 victory over Senegal during the group match at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, November 11, 2022. /CFP
Dani Alves (R) of Brazil consoles teammate Neymar after their team's loss to Croatia during the quarterfinal at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, December 9, 2022. /CFP
Pepe of Portugal controls the ball during the quarterfinal with Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, December 10, 2022. /CFP
Atiba Hutchinson of Canada during the group match between Canada and Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, December 1, 2022. /CFP
Thiago Silva of Brazil during the quarterfinal between Croatia and Brazil at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, December 9, 2022. /CFP
Aymen Balbouli of Tunisia poses during the official portrait session in Doha, Qatar, November 18, 2022. /CFP
Danny Vukovic of Australia dives for the ball during a training session in Doha, Qatar, November 19, 2022. /CFP
Steve Mandanda (R) of France saves a ball during the group match between Tunisia and France at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, November 30, 2022. /CFP
Guillermo Ochoa (R) of Mexico catches the ball during the group match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, November 30, 2022. /CFP
Bryan Ruiz of Costa Rica in action during his team's group match with Spain at Al Janoub Stadium in Doha, Qatar, November 23, 2022. /CFP
Luka Modric of Croatia in action during the semifinal between Argentina and Croatia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, December 13, 2022. /CFP
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal waits to step onto the field in the second-half of his team's quarterfinal with Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, December 10, 2022. /CFP
Designed by CGTN's Zhu Shangfan
Garang Kuol of Australia gestures during the group match between Argentina and Australia at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, December 3, 2022. /CFP
Youssoufa Moukoko of Germany in action during the group match between Germany and Japan at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, November 23, 2022. /CFP
Issahaku Fatawu of Ghana poses during an official portrait-shooting session in Doha, Qatar, November 20, 2022. /CFP
Jewison Bennette of Costa Rica in action during the group match between Japan and Costa Rica at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha, Qatar, November 27, 2022. /CFP
Bilal El Khannouss of Morocco celebrates following his team's victory in the group match against Belgium at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, November 27, 2022. /CFP
Gavi of Spain during the group match between Spain and Germany at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, November 27, 2022. /CFP
Brandon Aguilera of Costa Rica controls the ball during the group match between Costa Rica and Germany at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, December 1, 2022. /CFP
Jude Bellingham (L) of England faces a referee during the quarterfinal between England and France at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, December 10, 2022. /CFP
Jamal Musiala of Germany during the group match between Costa Rica and Germany at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, December 1, 2022. /CFP
Xavi Simons of the Netherlands in action during the round of 16 match between the Netherlands and the U.S. at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, December 3, 2022. /CFP
Hannibal Mejbri of Tunisia during the group match between Denmark and Tunisia at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, November 22, 2022. /CFP
Zeno Debast of Belgium arrives at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium prior to their group match with Croatia, in Doha, Qatar, December 1, 2022. /CFP
Antonio Silva of Portugal controls the ball during the group match between Portugal and South Korea at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, December 2, 2022. /CFP
Alejandro Balde of Spain reacts after his team's penalty shootout loss to Morocco during the round of 16 match at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, December 6, 2022. /CFP
Joe Scally of the U.S. poses during an official portrait-shooting session in Doha, Qatar, November 15, 2022. /CFP
Simon Ngapandouetnbu of Cameroon poses during an official portrait-shooting session in Doha, Qatar, November 20, 2022. /CFP
Ibrahim Danlad of Ghana poses during an official portrait-shooting session in Doha, Qatar, November 20, 2022. /CFP
Average age of Qatar World Cup teams
Designed by CGTN's Zhu Shangfan
A total of 32 teams participated in the tournament, with each squad consisting of 26 footballers.
Among the 832 players, the average age is 26.96 years. Ghana had the youngest squad and Iran the eldest.
Age in different positions
Designed by CGTN's Zhu Shangfan
The majority of forwards, midfielders and defenders were in the 25-30 age group.
Age of top goal-scorers at Qatar World Cup
Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates his goal during the final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, December 18, 2022. /CFP
Former Argentine forward Sergio Aguero carries Lionel Messi (top) on the shoulder after winning the Qatar World Cup title in Lusail, Qatar, December 18, 2022. /CFP
Julian Alvarez (L), Lionel Messi (C) and Angel Di Maria celebrate after scoring their second goal against France in the final in Lusail, Qatar, December 18, 2022. /CFP
Olivier Giroud of France thumbs up after their 2-0 win over Morocco in the semifinal at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, December 14, 2022. /CFP
Goncalo Ramos of Portugal goes for the ball during the quarterfinal between Morocco and Portugal at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, December 10, 2022. /CFP
Alvaro Morata of Spain in action during the round of 16 match between Morocco and Spain at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, December 6, 2022. /CFP
Bukayo Saka of England in action during the quarterfinal between England and France at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, December 10, 2022. /CFP
Richarlison celebrates their 4-1 victory over Republic of Korea during the round of 16 match in Doha, Qatar, December 5, 2022. /CFP
Marcus Rashford of England in action during the round of 16 match between England and Senegal at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, December 4, 2022. /CFP
Enner Valencia of Ecuador in action during the group match between Ecuador and Senegal at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, November 29, 2022. /CFP
Cody Gakpo of the Netherlands controls the ball in the quarterfinal between the Netherlands and Argentina at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, December 9, 2022. /CFP
France's 23-year-old star forward Kylian Mbappe was the top goal-scorer after scoring eight goals, two of which were penalties, during the tournament.
At age 35, Lionel Messi of Argentina was the second goal-scorer with seven goals including four penalties.
Argentina's 22-year-old Julian Alvarez and 36-year-old French forward Olivier Giroud tied in the goal-scoring with four each.
Goncalo Ramos of Portugal (aged 21), Alvaro Morata of Spain (aged 30), Bukayo Saka of England (aged 21), Richarlison of Brazil (aged 25), Marcus Rashford of England (aged 25), Enner Valencia of Ecuador (aged 33), and Cody Gakpo of the Netherlands (aged 23) all scored three each.
Read more:
Messi sprinkles stardust at World Cup as Argentina one step away from final glory
What's next for Ronaldo after Portugal's heartbreaking World Cup exit?
Luka Modric's last dance at World Cup ends on a high note as Croatia aim for more success
Enner Valencia the Ecuador hero as Qatar set unwanted World Cup record
(Cover: People visit a statue of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Doha, Qatar, December 16, 2022. /CFP)