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On this day: Five brilliant footballers born November 3rd

| 03.11.2015
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

Holly Thackeray | November 3, 2015

November 3rd marks the birthdays of some of football’s most memorable stars, including a Ballon d’Or winner, a Manchester United treble-winner and an Arsenal great.

So, here are Coral’s five famous footballers that will all be blowing out their candles today…

Gerd Muller

Soccer - World Cup West Germany 1974 - Final - West Germany v Holland
We begin with West German goal machine Muller; the original, not Bayer Munich’s current prolific marksman Thomas. As it happens, the former World Cup-winning scorer also forged his name as a formidable forward for the Bavarian big-guns, and is easily the oldest of our five featured birthday boys, with 70 candles on his cake today.

A prolific penalty-box predator, menace Muller was humorously nicknamed “kleines dickes Muller (short, fat Muller)”, though this didn’t stop the sharpshooter bagging a World Cup Golden Boot, and being named European Footballer of the Year in 1970.

Famously fast over short-distances despite appearances, Muller, also known as Der Bomber, was a truly special and extensively decorated player for both club and country.

Watch the best of Muller here:

Dwight Yorke

Soccer - Manchester United Legends v Bayern Munich Legends - Old Trafford
The fact that former Premier League poacher Yorke turned 44 today, must make a generation of fans who remember the Trinidad and Tobago attacker terrorising top-tier defences feel rather old themselves.

During his time in England, Yorke took in the sights at Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City and Sunderland, though none of those stints matched his history-marking time with Manchester United (who are 9/1 with Coral to win the Premier League).

One perhaps less known record that the Smiling Assassin jointly holds is for having taken part in the most World Cup competitions, with six on his CV, including qualifiers. Still, the pinnacle of this striker’s career remains the 1999 treble-winning term with the Red Devils, in which Yorke scored 29 across all competitions.

Ian Wright

SOCCER Wright
Perhaps better known these days for TV commercials (see Chicken Tonight and Nescafe for some classics) and punditry, affable character Wright, father of fellow footballers and New York Red Bulls stars Sean Wright-Phillips and Bradley Wright-Phillips, was once one of Arsenal’s finest.

Woolwich-born Wright, now 52, is well-known for supporting Millwall, but spent seven years each at London rivals Crystal Palace and Arsenal, plus a later season with West Ham United.

The famously formidable finisher, awarded an MBE in 2000, was the Gunners top scorer for six successive seasons and grabbed some of the Premier League’s most memorable goals. Oh, and he also hosted Top of the Pops and the revived Gladiators.

Check out Wright’s acting skills:

Pablo Aimar

Portugal Soccer Europa League
Ex-Argentina international Aimar was the definition of a cult hero and luxury player. The incredibly technically gifted playmaker was influential in Valencia’s La Liga titles in 2002 and 2004, excelling under the tutelage of now Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez.

Unfortunately, though, the sublimely silky and skilful South American, 35, was always the bridesmaid never the bride with La Albiceleste. He failed to deliver in Copa America and Confederations Cup finals, and ultimately never living up to the inevitable tag of ‘next Maradonna’.

Guillermo Franco

Soccer - Barclays Premier League - West Ham United v Burnley - Upton Park
Another fan favourite here, former Mexico forward Franco had a knack for netting crucial goals and endeared himself to Upton Park support by providing a crucial assist to Scott Parker as West Ham United escaped relegation in 2010.

The now 39-year-old was actually born in Argentina but became a Mexican citizen in 2004, and so went on to become the first-ever El Tri star to wear claret and blue. This season, the Hammers are 11/2 for a top six finish.

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Author

Holly Thackeray

Holly is a member of the content team, and can often be found on the sports desk writing about favourite topics Serie A and East Asian footballing nations. A recent darts convert, she is also a fully-fledged member of Barney's Army and a proud Leeds-born Manchester United fan.