Countdown to Russia: From Laurent Blanc’s golden-goal to Carles Puyol’s locks, five-star No5s at the World Cup
Time to look at those who've impressed whilst wearing Number 5 at the world's biggest tournament
THE rock at the back, fearless captain or deep-lying playmaker.
Over the years the Number 5 shirt has been worn by different types of players as the game has evolved - but we still associate it here in the UK with the no-nonsense centre-half.
With the World Cup in Russia now just five days away, time to continue our jersey countdown with - you guessed it - the finest No5s.
Ulbaldo Fillol - Argentina
EY UP, here's a curveball.
Regarded as the best goalkeeper ever to play for Argentina, Fillol starred in three World Cups and won 58 caps whilst establishing himself as a River Plate legend back home.
And yes, he wore the No5 shirt for his country - because at the time Argentina gave players their numbers alphabetically, to avoid any squabbles.
World Cup record: Three appearances in 1974, 1978 and 1982. Obviously '78 was the highlight, with Fillol picking up three clean sheets in the second group stage, before Argentina won a dramatic extra-time victory over the Netherlands to win the Cup.
He even played in the 1986 qualifiers, but was supplanted by Sergio Almiron.
Best moment: A dominating performance against the rampaging Dutch infront of a ferocious Buenes Aires crowd in 1978.
Alright, so they were all on Fillol's side, but his magnificent save late on from Bob Rensenbrink probably stopped Holland from being able to mount a late winning charge and instead the game went into extra time.
Stat me: Until Fillol's three straight in '78, Argentina had gone 12 years without a World Cup clean-sheet.
Suitably daft nickname: El Pato, or 'The Duck'. No, me neither.
Laurent Blanc - France
THE pondering Blanc was, believe it or not, an attacking midfielder in his early days, before a switch to central defence in the late 80s.
It suited him down to the ground and the No5 went on to become a French legend for his part in the home World Cup triumph of 1998.
After 97 caps and a superb return of 16 goals, he hung up his international boots for the second time after Euro 2000.
World Cup record: After the team failed to qualify for USA 94, Blanc retired after being pillared by the press.
But Aime Jacquet made it his priority to get him back in the fold and rebuild for the home tournament in '98. It paid off.
Best moment: Netting the first golden-goal in World Cup history against Paraguay.
With the hosts in real danger of crashing out in the round of 16, Blanc popped up in the 114th minute to smash in David Trezeguet's perfect knockdown in the box. They never looked back.
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Odd ritual: Blanc would kiss goalkeeper Fabian Barthez's head before each game for good luck.
Stat me: France were unbeaten in all matches played by the quartet of Blanc, Marcel Desailly, Lilian Thuram and Bixente Lizarazu. Foursome.
Fabio Cannavaro - Italy
FORMERLY the most capped Italian of all time, Cannavaro is just one of numerous top-class defenders the Azzurri have churned out of the past 40 years.
But the former Parma, Inter and Real Madrid man did what all the rest couldn't - and led Italy to World Cup glory.
During Italy's triumphant year of 2006, Cannavaro scooped both the FIFA World Player of the Year and the Ballon d'Or, becoming the first defender to receive it in a decade.
World Cup record: A veteran of the 1998 campaign where he put in a strong performance despite his tender age, Cannavaro carried Italy in 2002 before his golden hour as captain in 2006. Cannavaro played each minute of every match.
Best moment: Outjumping the 6ft5 Per Mertesacker in the semi-final against Germany, before skinning Lukas Podolski and unleashing Alessandro Del Piero to setup Italy's second.
With Allessandro Nesta out, Cannavaro was the Azzurri's rock and led them to a record five clean-sheets.
Daft nickname? Of course. Il Muro di Berlino. Or 'The Berlin Wall' after his performance in Germany.
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Carles Puyol - Spain
THE greatest perm seen at a World Cup finals since Carlos Valdaramma.
With his team-mates exhibiting tika-taka in all its glory in 2010, Carles Puyol was the no-nonsense centre-back that any successful side craves for.
A Barcelona legend, Puyol picked up 100 caps for Spain and bagged three goals - one of which was pretty important.
World Cup record: 2002, 2006 and 2010. From quarter-final heartache to their first ever World Cup victory in 2010, Puyol was there for it all and was an ever-present at centre-back during the title-winning run.
Best moment: Powering in a semi-final header against Germany to send Spain to their first ever World Cup final. A decent time to score just his third goal in 89 games.
Odd music choice: The Spaniard would get pumped up for games by listening to metal band Napalm Death.
Their jovial hits include 'Judicial Slime', 'Human Garbage' and 'Maggots In Your Coffin'.
Quote me: Luis van Gaal to the 19-year-old Puyol about his shaggy locks: "What's your problem, can't you afford a haircut?"