Soccer returns in January after a quick break in some nations. In others, the motion has not stopped at all around the Christmas interval.
January brings the FA Cup third spherical in England, plus the primary leg of the EFL Cup semi-finals. In the meantime, the Supercopa de España and Supercoppa Italiana each happen out in Saudi Arabia this month and there may be additionally Champions League soccer in direction of the top of January in a change of format for the 2024/25 season.
All through the month, the January switch window may even enable groups to strengthen their squads for the second half of the season in Europe.
For some well-known footballers previous and current, there will likely be a birthday too. Right here, a take a look at a few of the gamers from the boys’s recreation who had been born in January…
Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy celebrates after scoring for Leicester Metropolis in opposition to Swansea Metropolis in August 2016. (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Jamie Vardy began his profession in non-league soccer earlier than working his manner up and turning into a key participant for Leicester Metropolis, serving to the Foxes win the Premier League in 2015/16 and an FA Cup 5 seasons later.
Born in Sheffield on January eleventh, 1987, Vardy scored seven objectives in 26 caps for England and is a Leicester legend, having arrived on the membership in 2012 and performed an unlimited function of their success since then.
Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov celebrates after scoring for Manchester United in opposition to Liverpool in September 2010. (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
A sublime centre-forward who performed for Manchester United, Tottenham, Bayer Leverkusen, Monaco and Fulham, Dimitar Berbatov scored 48 objectives in 78 appearances for Bulgaria.
Born within the city of Blagoevgrad on January thirtieth, 1981, Berbatov was named Bulgarian Footballer of the 12 months seven occasions. He helped United to 2 Premier League titles and completed his profession with over 300 objectives for membership and nation.
Peter Crouch
Peter Crouch celebrates a objective for Stoke Metropolis in opposition to West Ham in April 2018. (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Enjoyable reality: Peter Crouch and Dimitar Berbatov, each former Tottenham Hotspur strikers, had been born on the identical day.
Crouch was born in Macclesfield on January thirtieth, 1981 and in addition performed for the likes of QPR, Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Stoke Metropolis, Southampton and Liverpool. He gained 42 caps for England, scoring a powerful 22 objectives.
Robinho
Robinho celebrates after scoring for Brazil in opposition to Paraguay on the 2015 Copa America. (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Robinho was born in São Vicente, southern São Paulo on January twenty fifth, 2004, and commenced his profession at Santos.
Capped 100 occasions by Brazil, Robinho additionally performed for Actual Madrid, Manchester Metropolis and AC Milan in a profitable profession, however started a nine-year jail sentence for rape in 2024.
David Silva
David Silva in motion for Spain in opposition to Scotland in October 2010. (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Some of the proficient midfielders in a particular era of Spanish gamers, David Silva helped La Roja win back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012 and the 2010 World Cup.
Born in Gran Canaria on January eighth, 1986, Silva spent a decade at Manchester Metropolis after beginning his profession at Valencia and retired in 2023 on the age of 37 after a critical damage curtailed a spell again in Spain with Actual Sociedad.
Declan Rice
Declan Rice in motion for Arsenal in opposition to Ipswich City in December 2024. (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Top-of-the-line midfielders of his era, Declan Rice has been an England worldwide since 2019 after switching worldwide allegiance from the Republic of Eire.
Born in London on January 14th, 1999, Rice began his profession at West Ham and went on to make over 250 appearances for the Irons. After serving to the Hammers win the UEFA Convention League in 2023, the midfielder left to affix Arsenal in a deal initially price a club-record £100 million.
Cuauhtémoc Blanco
Cuauhtemoc Blanco celebrates a objective for Mexico in opposition to Venezuela in July 1999. (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Certainly one of Mexico’s greatest-ever gamers, Cuauhtémoc Blanco gained over 100 caps for El Tri, featured in three World Cups and even had his personal signature transfer: La Cuautemiña (generally referred to as the “Blanco bounce” in English).
A ahead or attacking midfielder who’s finest remembered at membership stage for his lengthy profession at América, Blanco was born in Mexico Metropolis on January seventeenth, 1973. He helped Mexico win the Confederations Cup in 1999 and after his retirement from soccer, grew to become a distinguished poltician in his homeland.
Arjen Robben
Arjen Robben celebrates a objective for Bayern Munich in opposition to Manchester United in April 2010. (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Arjen Robben was born within the Dutch city of Bedum on January twenty third, 1984. One of many most interesting wingers of his era, he performed for a few of Europe’s greatest golf equipment and gained 96 caps for the Netherlands, scoring 37 objectives.
After spells at Groningen, PSV, Chelsea and Actual Madrid, Robben spent a decade at Bayern Munich and gained all of it with the Bavarians, together with a treble in 2012/13. He additionally helped the Dutch to the World Cup closing in 2010, however is remembered for failing to attain one-on-one with Iker Casillas with the scores tied at 0-0.
Iván Zamorano
Ivan Zamorano celebrates with a Chilean flag after Inter’s UEFA Cup closing win over Lazio in Could 1998. (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Certainly one of Chile’s greatest-ever gamers, Ivan Zamorano shaped a lethal partnership with Marcelo Salas at worldwide stage and the striker had memorable spells at each Inter and Actual Madrid.
Born in Santiago on January twenty fifth, 1967, Zamorano scored 34 objectives in 69 appearances for Chile. He gained La Liga and the Copa del Rey with Madrid, a UEFA Cup with Inter and an Olympic bronze medal with Chile in 2000.
Gennaro Gattuso
Gennaro Gattuso in motion for Italy in opposition to the Czech Republic on the 2006 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
A tenacious defensive midfielder for AC Milan and Italy, Gennaro Gattuso shaped a formidable partnership with Andrea Pirlo for membership and nation.
Gattuso, born in Calabria in southern Italy on January ninth, 1978, was a key participant as Italy gained the 2006 World Cup and in addition featured in two Champions League triumphs for Milan. After retirement, he grew to become a coach, taking cost of Milan, Napoli, Valencia and Marseille, amongst others.
Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard in motion for Chelsea in opposition to Tottenham in January 2017. (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
One of many Premier League’s most interesting attackers, Eden Hazard was an enormous favorite at Chelsea in a seven-year spell with the Blues between 2012 and 2019.
Hazard additionally gained over 100 caps for Belgium in an outstanding profession, however was much less profitable in an injury-interrupted 4 years at Actual Madrid. Born on January seventh, 1991, the previous Lille winger retired in 2023 on the age of simply 32.
Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola in motion for Barcelona in opposition to Alaves in December 2000. (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
A cerebral defensive midfielder who got here by way of Barcelona’s La Masia youth academy, Pep Guardiola is likely one of the Catalan membership’s best-ever gamers.
Capped 47 occasions by Spain, he was restricted by accidents however nonetheless loved enormous success at Barça, successful six La Liga titles and beginning because the Blaugrana claimed a first-ever European Cup in 1992. Born on January 18th, 1971 within the city of Santpedor, Guardiola went on to turn into probably the most profitable and influential coaches in soccer historical past.
Luis Suárez
Luis Suarez scores a spectacular objective for Barcelona in opposition to Levante in February 2015. (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Luis Suárez was born within the northwestern Uruguayan city of Salto on January twenty fourth, 1987 and went on to turn into one of many world’s finest centre-forwards.
A Copa América winner and World Cup semi-finalist with Uruguay, Suárez can be the nation’s all-time high scorer, with 69 objectives. Suárez starred at Barcelona alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar, successful a treble with the Catalan membership and hitting 198 objectives in complete for the Blaugrana. In a profession additionally marked by a number of controversial incidents, the striker had profitable stints at a variety of different golf equipment, together with Ajax, Liverpool and Atlético Madrid.
Eusébio
Benfica and Portugal nice Eusebio poses for an image in October 1973. (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Born in Portuguese Mozambique on January twenty fifth, 1942, Eusébio went on to turn into a legend for Benfica and in addition the Portuguese nationwide crew.
One of many biggest forwards of his era, Eusébio helped Benfica to 11 Portuguese titles and to a European Cup in 1962. A Ballon d’Or winner in 1965, he was additionally a World Cup semi-finalist with Portugal in 1966. Nicknamed the “Black Panther”, Eusébio additionally handed away within the first month of the 12 months – on January fifth, 2014.
Xavi
Xavi celebrates a objective for Barcelona in opposition to Atletico Madrid in October 2007. (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Xavi was on the coronary heart of the good Barcelona and Spain sides between 2008 and 2012, embodying a method of play which modified soccer and introduced enormous success for membership and nation.
The midfielder helped Spain to 2 European Championship titles and a World Cup win in a golden period, whereas racking up a collection of main trophies at Barça, together with two treble triumphs. Born on January twenty fifth, 1980 in Terrassa within the Barcelona province, Xavi later had a spell as coach on the Catalan membership, successful LaLiga in 2022/23.
Gianluigi Buffon
Gianluigi Buffon in motion for Italy in opposition to Ghana on the 2006 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
A World Cup winner with Italy and a legend in an extended profession with Juventus and Parma, Gianluigi Buffon additionally had a quick spell at Paris Saint-Germain.
Capped 176 occasions by the Azzurri in a world profession spanning over twenty years, Buffon lastly retired in 2023 on the age of 45. One of many biggest goalkeepers of all time, he was born within the city of Carrara in Tuscany on January twenty eighth, 1978.
Romário
Romario celebrates after scoring for Brazil in opposition to Sweden on the 1994 World Cup. (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
One of many biggest centre-forwards of all time, Romário starred as Brazil gained the World Cup in 1994 and was additionally a two-time Copa América winner along with his nationwide crew.
The previous PSV, Barcelona, Flamengo and Vasco da Gama ahead scored over 700 profession objectives, though he claims to have netted over 1,000. Born on January twenty ninth, 1966, in Rio de Janeiro, Romário performed into his early 40s.
