Football players averagely retire while advancing into their 30s because the risk of injuries increases, as humans get old. Nonetheless, some of them have the ability to continue playing despite being older and remain the world's best players. Here are the best players aged 35 and over who are still active in the world of football.
The Portuguese professional footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as a football legend nominated for the 18th time to win the Ballon d'Or. At aged 37, Cristiano Ronaldo is still active and hopes to continue his career until the age of 42.
The 35-years old legend forward in football, Lionel Messi has had enormous achievements with seven Ballon d'Or awards. Despite his confirmation of his imminent retirement, Messi will be the captain of the Argentina national team in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The striker French national and Real Madrid player, Karim Benzema has recently been crowned the Ballon d'Or winner. Benzema will be turning 35 on 19 December 1987 but he is still active in playing football.
The striker for Uruguay national team, Luis Suarez has achieved a successful football career with 82 goals in 133 games. Suarez celebrated his 35-year anniversary but he affirmed to have no plans on retiring.
The captain of the Brazil national team, Thiago Silvais celebrated as a proficient defender. Aged 36, Thiago Silva’s contract with Chelsea FC expires in 2023 but the club will keep him until he hangs up his boots.
The Swedish footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović is an iconic striker of all time, who has represented nine different clubs. The 41-year-old AC Milan club player was born on 3 October 1981 but has no plans to retire yet.
Italian professional footballer Gianluigi Buffon is a popular goalkeeper of all time. Buffon is 44 years old but still playing in some international football matches making him the oldest professional footballer in the world.
The Uruguayan professional footballer Edinson Cavani is a striker for his national team and other clubs. At 35, the news of his retirement seems impossible because he has signed a two-year contract with Valencia club.
Born on 9 September 1985, Luka Modrić is a Croatian midfielder who plays for Real Madrid. Luka Modrić is also the captain of the Croatia national team. The 37-year-old stated that the World Cup in Qatar would be his final international tournament.
The French professional footballer Dimitri Payet was recognised as an attacking midfield in Ligue 1 club. At the age of 33, Dimitri Payet announced that he continued his football dream until his retirement.
The 39-years old Brazilian player Dani Alves is considered a talented full-back of all time. Despite his advancing age, Dani Alves is proving that age is no barrier.
The German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is seen as the top goalkeeper of all time. The 36-year-old captain announced his retirement in 2024 but he is leading the German national team in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The Spanish professional football Sergio Ramos is known for his ability as a defender in several clubs. The 35-year-old centre-back stated that he would stay at Real Madrid club until he retired.
The French professional footballer who plays as striker Olivier Giroud has had a stellar career. The 36-year-old striker proved that age is just a number because he revealed that he has no plans to retire.
The 35-years old Bosnian footballer Edin Džeko is a striker and captains the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team. The striker has never planned for his retirement because on 14 August 2021, he joined Serie A club Inter Milan.
Uruguayan professional footballer Diego Godín has won many awards and titles as a centre-back for the Argentine Primera División club. The defender Uruguay national team is still active at the age of 36. Actually, in 2022, he signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with Vélez Sarsfield club.
The 35-year-old English footballer Jamie Vardy has built his successful career at the England national team. The striker signed a three-year new contract with Leicester City until 2023.
The French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris plays for the France national team and Tottenham Hotspur club. The 35-year-old France captain is the goalkeeper of his national team in the World Cup in Qatar.
The Spanish midfielder Andrés Iniesta has proved his footballing ability despite his advancing age. The Barcelona legend is 38 but he is still playing for Vissel Kobe in Japan.
