I don't know if Steve Gerrard really qualifies as a veteran considering he is only 31(though that is quite old in football terms, I believe Zidane retired at 32) and I think Stevie's got a lot more legs left in him. But if he does he is the best in my opinion. The way he is always rescuing points driving the team to be better than it sometimes is, he is the greatest example of a captain I have ever seen on a football pitch.
He does seem a couple seasons past his prime, yet he is still the talisman for Liverpool football club. This season can be one of his finest he is fit, has a great manager and will have to earn his spot with Adam, Meireles and Aqua all in the squad. He has been one of the most consistent players of his generation and played in countless big matches, a true icon and legend of LFC. He hasn't had a bad go of it at the World Cup either, being the top scorer for England in 2006 and scoring the first goal for them against the USA in 10