The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ is getting closer – 53 days to go!

In less than two months' time – on 14 June, to be precise – the 21st FIFA World Cup™ kicks off at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, as the hosts take on Saudi Arabia.​

That leaves us plenty of time to enjoy a countdown. Between now and the start of the World Cup, we will take a closer look at a different statistic from the history of the tournament each day.​​​

53 the number of matches contested at a FIFA World Cup™ by players named Sanchez. Chilean playmaker Leonel Sanchez was in top form at his home tournament in 1962. He helped La Roja reach the semi-finals, where they were beaten 4-2 by eventual world champions Brazil, and ultimately finished in third place. The left winger was rewarded for his goalscoring prowess by becoming one of six players to share the adidas Golden Boot with four goals each.

Mexico’s Hugo Sanchez featured at three World Cups in 1978, 1986, and 1994. He has a list of achievements few strikers can match, finishing as the leading goalscorer five times in the Spanish league and once in Mexico, winning the European Golden Boot, featuring in Real Madrid’s all-time XI, and even lending his name to a specific type of shot. It is hard to imagine a more eventful playing career.