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These Famous Footballers Don’t Get To Celebrate A Birthday This Year

It’s something we all celebrate once a year: the day of your birth. Well, everyone except for the unlucky souls who are born on the one day that only happens every four years. Those with February 29 birthdays must wait four years in between actual birthdays thanks to a quirky calendar and the creation of leap days. Many footballers are among that lot.

The soccer players on this list will not be able to celebrate their birthday this year. They must wait another two years before they can have a birthday party on their actual birthday. But that doesn’t mean we can’t wish them a happy birthday. 

Soccer Players With February 29 Birthdays

Taylor Twellman, 1980
February 29 Birthdays

Taylor Twellman

@bhofheimer_espn | Twitter

Though Taylor Twellman’s playing career was ultimately cut short by concussions, he’s more well-known these days as a commentator and analyst for ESPN. He scored 101 goals in 174 career MLS appearances with the New England Revolution, eighth best in league history. 

Mike Pollitt, 1972
February 29 Birthdays

Mike Pollitt

@GK1info | Twitter

Pollitt appeared 269 times for Rotherham United over two stints, but he may be most remembered for saving a penalty from Arsenal’s Jose Antonio Reyes in the 2006 League Cup semifinals, propelling Wigan into the final. 

Perry Kitchen, 1992
February 29 Birthdays

Perry Kitchen

@fanly_galaxy | Twitter

Recently acquired by the L.A. Galaxy, the defensive midfielder with five USMNT caps is actually only 6.5 years old. 

Darren Ambrose, 1984
February 29 Birthdays

Darren Ambrose

@CPFC | Twitter

An English midfielder, Ambrose made more than 100 appearances with both Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace. He also spent time with Ipswich Town, Newcastle United, Birmingham City and Colchester United, scoring 65 goals in 347 appearances.

Saphir Taïder, 1992
February 29 Birthdays

Saphir Taïder

@FT_Total | Twitter

Taïder has spent most of his career in Italy but recently moved to MLS to play central midfield for Montreal. The Algerian international has World Cup experience and five goals in 38 appearances for The Fennecs. 

Scott Golbourne, 1988
February 29 Birthdays

Scott Golbourne

@MKDonsFC | Twitter

Golbourne, currently a left back for MK Dons, is lucky that he technically doesn’t have to celebrate his 30th birthday this year. 

Benedikt Höwedes, 1988
February 29 Birthdays

Benedikt Höwedes

@Arab_News | Twitter

A World Cup winner with Germany, the Juventus defender (on loan from Schalke) has made 44 appearances for Die Mannschaft.

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