India, June 11 -- "I gave everything, physically and mentally. But the very highest level is like a washing machine, you play all the time and never stop." Raphael Varane telling "Canal Plus" in 2023 why he retired from international football at 29 could resonate with players in a World Cup that has an extra round of knockout matches.

Virgil van Dijk goes into Netherlands's first match against Japan on Sunday after playing 5841 minutes in one year, the most in Europe's top five leagues, as per Opta. That's a lot of football for a man who will want to stay in the World Cup when he turns turn 35 on July 8. Martin Zubimendi, who like van Dijk has featured in all 38 Premier League matches last term, played 4920 minutes before joining Spain i...