Football, just like most other sports, demands physical fitness and mental strength to skim through the rigors and thrusts of training sessions and regular fixtures.
It is no surprise footballers usually hang their boots when they can no longer match the tempo and demands of the sport as they age.
Ideally, most footballers call time on their careers between the ages of 34 and 36 – a period considered the twilight of one’s career when the energy for the sport is lost to the frailties of the aging process.
However, some footballers have defied the odds and barriers of age to nurture their enduring talent and more so, compete at a high level with younger legs in a high-octane footballing world.
Here, we will take you through the top 10 oldest footballers who are still competing at a high level in the game in 2024.
- Lionel Messi (37 years, Inter Miami)
Lionel Messi is a household name in football for everything success in the game. He is regarded as one of the greatest footballers, if not the greatest footballer, who ever lived.
Born in Rosario, Argentina, and nurtured in Barcelona to a global footballing genius, the Barcelona legend clocked 38 on June 24, 2023, and will be celebrating his 39th birthday in two months.
After a legendary club career with Barcelona in La Liga, and a two-year spell with PSG in Ligue 1, the 180-cap Argentina international made a groundbreaking transfer move to Inter Miami in the MLS in 2023.
Messi made a groundbreaking debut for Inter Miami, scoring a stunning free-kick and match-winner against Mexican side Cruz Azul to reverse Inter Miami’s winless run.
He would go on to lead the Florida-based outfit to the Leagues Cup trophy – the club’s first silverware.
With a few months to his 39th birthday, Messi is continuing his elite-level performance for Inter Miami. He has scored 20 goals with 14 assists in all competitions for Inter Miami. He recently added the 2024 Copa America trophy to his locker room and is still active in international football.
2. Luis Suarez (38, Inter Miami)
Former Ajax, Liverpool, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid forward Luis Suarez, 38, is another older footballer with a buzzy and sparkling football career now.
Suarez’s career peaked during his spell with Liverpool in the Premier League, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in La Liga.
After spells with the biggest clubs in Europe, the Uruguay international returned to his boyhood club, Nacional, before joining Gremio in Brasileiro Série A – the top tier in Brazil’s football league.
For footballers, exits from Europe is always equated to the end of one’s career. However, Suarez has proven otherwise following his move to Inter Miami in the MLS in 2024.
Known for his prolific goalscoring record, the prolific forward is not slowing down despite his age. He is among the top five in the MLS topscorers’ chart this term with 17 goals, two less than highest scorer Christian Benteke.
Alongside Lionel Messi and a pair of other Barcelona legends – Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba – the former Ajax forward is a key member of Gerardo Martino’s revamped Inter Miami side.
He recently called time on his international career with Uruguay national team where he won 143 caps, scoring 69 goals.
3. Luka Modric (38 years, Real Madrid)
Luka Modric is another footballing sensation with a lively career even at an older age. The Croatian midfielder is regarded as one of the best and most versatile midfielders of his generation. At 38, Modric has strikingly kept up with his pace, form, and relevance in a Real Madrid squad that has been swarmed with young talents.
Known for his playmaking roles and creativity with the ball, the 2018 FIFA World Cup finalist has played an integral role in Real Madrid’s LaLiga triumph this season, racking up 30 LaLiga appearances for the club.
He has played all Real Madrid 10 Champions League matches, and is expected to play a big role as the Los Blancos battle German side Borussia Dortmund in the final of the competition on June 1, 2024.
The Dynamo Zagreb prodigy is still active with Croatia national team. He has been capped 180 times since making his international debut in 2006.
4. Sergio Ramos (38, years)
Seville-born Spanish footballer, Sergio Ramos, is still a top defender to be reckoned with in the Spanish top-flight despite clocking 38 recently.
The Sevilla Academy product and Real Madrid legend reached the peak of his career with Real Madrid before joining PSG in French Ligue 1 in 2021.
After a two-year stint with PSG, Ramos returned to Spain where he is now continuing at a top level for his boyhood club Sevilla.
He has been a key addition to the Sevilla defense as the six-time Europa League winners finally won the relegation battle to stay aloof in the Spanish top-tier.
Still in his best athletic shape and attuned to the drills and art of defending, it was not difficult for Ramos to cement his place in Sevilla’s regular starting lineup. He made 23 LaLiga appearances for the club last season.
Moreover, he has continued on his role as a goalscoring defender, finding the back of the net 3 times as well.
Ramos called time on his international career in 2021 but has retained his status as one of the best defenders with a top-level performance in club football
5. Ashley Young (38 years, Everton)
Former Manchester defender Ashley Young, 38, is another elite-level footballer who has not given in to the fetters of age.
The English full-back has maintained a polished football career that has spanned 21 years, and still counting. His career climaxed at Manchester United from 2011 to 2020 where he won the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, and the Europa League title.
After his spell with Manchester United, Young took his career to Italian Serie A where he spent a season with Inter Milan before returning to his former club, Aston Villa, in 2021.
In his two seasons with the Villains, Young shone bright for the Aston-based outfit, defying his age to record 53 Premier League appearances for the club.
His standout campaign with the Villains made him a prime transfer target for Everton. After his spell with Aston Villa, He joined Everton as the club’s first signing in 2023 summer.
At the Merseyside club, Young has made 32 Premier League appearances, playing a crucial role as the Toffees won the relegation battle despite point deductions.
His contract expired this summer but he was tied to another contract with the one-year contract with the club.
6. Manuel Neuer (38 years, Bayern Munich)
Manuel Neuer, 38, is a perfect description of a footballer who is old but green. The Gelsenkirchen-born shot-stopper is one of the best and most influential football goalkeepers of our time.
Currently plying his trade with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, Neuer has proven irreplaceable for the Bavarians. He temporarily missed action for the club after a lengthy injury layoff which lasted for 10 months from September 2022 to December 2023.
After returning from the sidelines, the legendary goalie regained his starting role without dispute and led the park in Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga and European campaign this term.
He made 23 Bundesliga starts for Bayern Munich this season, including 9 Champions League starts.
Bayern Munich lost the Bundesliga title to Xabi Alonso’s indomitable Bayer Leverkusen side and lost in the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League semifinal to Real Madrid. Nevertheless, Neuer has passed the mark for a virile, strong, and agile goalkeeper at 38.
He has won 107 caps with Germany’s national team and is in strong contention to make Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany squad for the 2024 Euros.
7. Thiago Silva (39 years, Fluminense)
Thiago Silva is another legendary footballer who has not been bucked down by the vagaries of age. After a heroic 22-year career across top leagues in South America and Europe, Silva’s athletic prowess for elite-level football is indisputable.
The former PSG center-back hit the twilight of career when he joined Chelsea in the English Premier League in 2020 at age 35.
Throughout his four-year spell with the Blues, Silva had been integral in the squad, securing a regular starting berth despite the upheavals in the Blues’ dugout.
Last season, he made 31 Premier League appearances for Chelsea – his highest tally in four years despite clocking 39. It is understood that Chelsea wanted to renew his contract to keep him at the club but he turned down the offer for personal reasons. He has signed a new contract with Brazilian outfit Fluminense where he is expected to continue his career gracefully despite his age.
8. Cristiano Ronaldo (39 years, Al-Nassr)
Cristiano Ronaldo is a global footballing icon whose cards in the sport go beyond mere laurels, honors, and trophies to his incredible athletic prowess even at the ripe age of 39.
Regarded as one of the greatest footballers of our time, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is a model to young footballers who crave longevity in the sport.
Ronaldo wrapped up the 2023 calendar year as the highest goalscorer in the world with 54 goals, finishing above young prolific strikers like Real Madrid-bound PSG star Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City attacking sensation Erling Haaland-inspired.
Last season, the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend scored a league-leading 33 goals, providing 10 assists in 28 league appearances for his club Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
Away from his club heroics with Al-Nassr, Ronaldo is also active with Portugal national team. He scored 10 goals with 2 assists in 9 appearances in the 2024 UEFA European Championship Qualifiers and made Portugal squad for 2024 Euros in Germany which will kick off on June 14, 2024.
- Pepe Reina (42 years, Como)
Former Liverpool, Barcelona, Napoli, and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Pepe Reina is arguably the oldest professional football player that is still playing in Europe.
The legendary Spanish shot-stopper called time on his international career in 2018 but has since continued with club football. Since his international retirement, Reina has kept the sticks for AC Milan, Aston Villa, Lazio, and Villarreal. He is currently playing for newly-promoted Serie A side Como at 42.
