FIFA celebrates Dan 'The Bull' Amokachi

As people around the world prepare themselves for the Christmas and New Year season, FIFA.com took a look at some of the most famous names in football who will be celebrating their birthdays over the course of the coming weeks.

The global soccer-rulers came up with 10 names across the world with Nigerian ex-international and one of Super Eagles Assistant coaches, Dan 'The Bull' Amokachi, coming first on the list.

According to FIFA; "We have selected 10 players from across the globe, from yesteryear and the present day. All have represented their countries in FIFA World Cup Finals and have left a positive impression on the hearts and minds of football fans everywhere.

So, to all footballers who were born between Christmas Eve and the 6 January - Merry Christmas, all the best for 2006…and a very happy birthday!" Fifa stated.

Daniel Amokachi (NGA)
Born: 30/12/72 - (33)
Daniel Amokachi was a part of the Nigeria squad that participated in USA 1994 and France 1998. During his career, he helped the Super Eagles to victory in the CAF African Cup of Nations in 1994 and Olympic gold two years later. Discovered while playing for Ranchers Bees in his homeland, Amokachi moved to Europe to play for Belgian side Club Brugge.

He was then transferred to Everton FC in England where he won an FA Cup winner's medal. Spells at Besiktas (Turkey) and 1860 Munich (Germany) followed, before he was forced to call time on his playing career at an early age due to a long standing knee problem.

Others on the list include: Lakhdar Belloumi of Algeria, who was born on December 29, 1958. The player's march to stardom started at the African Nations Cup, when he helped his country to the finals in 1980.

He was the CAF Footballer of the Year same year; England international Terry Butcher, born December 28, 1958,who was part of the English FIFA World Cup squads in 1982,'86 and '90; America's Eddie Pope was born on December 24, 1973; Brazil's Roberto

'Riverlino', who was born on January 1, 1946, was famous for his wonderful left-foot and accurate "set pieces and his moustache!" Great Pele named 'Rivelino' as one of the 100 Greatest Liveing Footballers as part of FIFA's Centennial Celebrations. He recorded 121 appearances for Brazil and scored 43 times.

Wynton Rufer- New Zealand -December 29, 1943; Chilean Marcelo Salas-December 24 1974; Croatian Davor Suker - January 1, 1968 and French international Lilian Thuram - January 1, 1972.

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FIFA celebrates Dan 'The Bull' Amokachi

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