5 footballers who look much older than they claim to be

Chelsea striker Diego Costa turns 27 today. No, it's true.

The Brazil-born Spain international is prone to 'using his experience', to borrow a football cliche, but is that because he's actually much older? He isn't the first player whose birth certificate has been brought into question - here are a few others. https://twitter.com/PaulStollery/status/507814856566009856

Charlie Adam

The Stoke midfielder is 29 years old, having been born five days after Malcolm in the Middle star Frankie Muniz. Yakubu The Nigeria striker, who played in England for Everton, Middlesbrough and Portsmouth, is officially 32 years old, though records from earlier in his career have alleged that he was born in 1977 and not 1982. https://twitter.com/RobHarriman77/status/562326228351586304

Danny Ings

He might have the world-weary look of a veteran who has endured a tough life, but 23-year-old Ings is a day younger than Selena Gomez.

Hendry Thomas

Former Wigan midfielder Thomas is playing in America these days. He is 30 years old. https://twitter.com/FFS_Transfer/status/629738475647057920

Wayne Rooney

Rooney will soon turn 30 too, making him just eight months younger than Thomas. An interesting theory recently emerged about the Manchester United captain - it would certainly help explain his love for Whitney Houston. https://twitter.com/MichaelKeshani/status/480773393672044544