The Wizard of Dribble played on until the age of 50 in England, playing for Blackpool and Stoke City after his 40th birthday. He was handed the Ballon d’Or aged 41 after helping Blackpool to a second place finish in the First Division and even while his career slowed, was named Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in 1963 – aged 48.
Affectionately known as Billy, Costacurta also carried on playing for AC Milan until the age of 41, retiring in the summer of 2007.