Sports
15 Best Players Aged 35 and Over in World Football [2025]
Summary
- Age no longer limits footballers’ careers, exemplified by players like Ronaldo, Messi, and Modric.
- Top players above 35 continue to excel, challenging traditional views on ageing in football.
- Examples include top scorers like Benzema and Lewandowski, showcasing skill, resilience, and longevity.
In sports, as in life, the biggest barrier to longevity is age. But while in football, some players retire early, there are just as many nowadays, in a world that revolves around health and fitness, that prove age is just a number. Like a fine wine, some footballers seem to have an eternal youth, and it’s difficult to envision them ever hanging up their boots.
Not long ago, reaching the age of 35 often signalled a player’s impending transition away from the pitch. However, this perception has shifted dramatically. Below, GIVEMESPORT explores the 15 best players who continue to score, assist, and secure clean sheets well past that milestone, proving that age is no longer a limitation in football. Their impressive performances challenge the traditional views of ageing athletes, showcasing resilience and skill at an advanced stage of their careers.
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10
Francesco Acerbi – Inter Milan
Age: 37
Acerbi continues to get better with age. Somewhat of a late bloomer, the defender started his career in the lower leagues with Pavia before working his way up to the very summit of Italian football.
Acerbi joined Inter after four successful seasons with Lazio in 2023 and he has been a key player for the club ever since. He’s played a vital role in the Italian club’s success in the past few seasons, helping them to a Serie A title and two Champions League finals.
9
Angel Di Maria – Rosario
Age: 37
Di Maria has enjoyed a wonderful career and he continues to perform at the top level despite approaching his 40s. In 2023, Di Maria returned to Benfica and he excelled as he scored 36 goals in 92 matches across two seasons.
Despite shining in Portugal, Di Maria made the decision to move back to his homeland this summer as he rejoined Rosario Central, the club where he started his career. At the time of writing, he’s recorded 10 goal contributions (seven goals, three assists) at the club as he shows no signs of slowing down.
8
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – Inter Milan
Age: 36
Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s career took an exciting turn in the summer of 2022 when he joined Inter Milan, following a period where he struggled to get to grips with Premier League football with Manchester United and Arsenal. During his first season in the iconic black and blue jersey, he made 49 appearances and netted five goals, including a pivotal strike in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against AC Milan.
Since then, the Armenian international has demonstrated that he is becoming quicker and more effective as he ages. In the 2023/24 season, he recorded eight assists in Serie A, helping Inter Milan clinch the Italian title. He was key as his side reached the Champions League final last campaign.
7
Karim Benzema – Al-Ittihad
Age: 37
Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from Real Madrid, Karim Benzema really stepped up and reminded everyone just how good he could be when he isn’t in the shadow of another. His Ballon d’Or triumph in 2022 was the culmination of a very impressive career, but he hasn’t slowed down now that he’s moved on from Los Blancos and is plying his trade in Saudi Arabia.
Sure, things didn’t get off to a convincing start at Al-Ittihad, but he’s soon turned that around and is back to his best right now. Across games for Madrid, the Saudi Pro League side and France, Benzema has scored and assisted plenty of goals in the last five years. Lasts season alone, he found the back of the net 25 times in 33 games.
6
Yann Sommer – Inter Milan
Age: 36
Clearly, there’s something special happening for veterans over at Inter Milan. Another player from their ranks is Yann Sommer, who, at 36 years old, remains a key player for both club and country.
It was only three seasons ago, in the 2022/23 season, that Sommer broke the Bundesliga’s single-game saves record with 19 saves in a match against Bayern Munich. Now the main man between the sticks for Simone Inzaghi’s side, he continues to show he’s one of the most reliable glove-bearers in Europe.
5
Manuel Neuer – Bayern Munich
Age: 39
Still serving as his club and country’s captain, there aren’t many more talented goalkeepers around – if any – than the wonderful Manuel Neuer. The German reinvented the meaning of ‘sweeper-keeper’ in his prime as he led both Bayern Munich and Germany to glory. The 2014 World Cup winner is still one of the best number ones in the world despite his autumnal age.
Still quick off his line, the shot-stopper will likely play into his 40s at the highest level. At 39 years old, the Germany international has kept just north of 250 clean sheets from more than 550 games for the Bavarian club. When he finally decides to hang up his iconic gloves, Neuer will go down as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the sport.
4
Cristiano Ronaldo – Al-Nassr
Age: 40
Cristiano Ronaldo is now 40 but his numbers in the Saudi Pro League are those of a clinical finisher in his prime. The Portuguese superstar scored 25 league goals in 30 games during the 2024/25 season to win his second consecutive golden boot. It’s no shock, either, as Ronaldo is the top goalscorer in the history of football.
He has now played over 1200 games at club level and is the only player to have registered over 900 goals in that time. The 40-year-old transitioned from being a skilful winger to a prolific centre-forward many years ago and has never looked back, as he has found the net wherever he’s gone. Ronaldo was a huge part of Real Madrid’s four Champions League wins during his time in Spain, and his adoring fans still see him in the same light.
3
Luka Modric – AC Milan
Age: 40
After a difficult start to life at Real Madrid, Luka Modric came good and established himself as one of the club’s greatest ever players. Alongside Toni Kroos, the Croatian was instrumental in his club’s unprecedented run of Champions League success. He’s got the joint-most triumphs in the premier European competition, having lifted the trophy five times.
Modric is among the best midfielders to have graced a football pitch and is certainly among the greatest Champions League players of all time, as one of only two players to win the Ballon d’Or besides Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during their 17-year duopoly. Now at AC Milan, Modric is still going strong at the age of 40.
2
Lionel Messi – Inter Miami
Age: 38
When speaking about Lionel Messi, he’s still regularly delivered magic moments even deep into his 30s. After all, he finally completed football with a historic World Cup win in 2022, completing his trophy collection, which includes many La Liga titles, Ligue 1 trophies and domestic cups. The Barcelona legend broke all sorts of records during his career, including his 91-goal haul in 2012, and he is one of only three players to win a Ballon d’Or aged 35 or over.
After departing Europe in 2023, the little magician instantly elevated the fortunes of Inter Miami as he was a vital part of the club’s first ever trophy win. Messi controls games with his intelligent movement and out of this world vision. The 38-year-old plays the game with an elegance that the majority of players can only dream of, and it’s down to this grace that he’s able to continue performing at the level that he does.
1
Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona
Age: 37
There are so many superlatives to use when it comes to Robert Lewandowski. The Polish marksman could quite possibly be the best forward in world football right now, and his numbers this season have been nothing short of sensational as Barcelona discover the perfect balance of youth and wisdom to outshine their Real Madrid counterparts.
A more than impressive haul of 27 goals in 34 La Liga appearances last season says everything you need to know about Warsaw-born Lewandowski’s longevity. No matter the age, you can put your bottom dollar on the seasoned centre forward doing what he does best: score goals.
|
15 best players aged 35 or over |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rank |
Player |
Nationality |
Club |
Age |
|
1. |
Robert Lewandowski |
Poland |
Barcelona |
37 |
|
2. |
Lionel Messi |
Argentina |
Inter Miami |
38 |
|
3. |
Luka Modric |
Croatia |
AC Milan |
40 |
|
4. |
Cristiano Ronaldo |
Portugal |
Al-Nassr |
40 |
|
5. |
Manuel Neuer |
Germany |
Bayern Munich |
39 |
|
6. |
Yann Sommer |
Switzerland |
Inter Milan |
36 |
|
7. |
Karim Benzema |
France |
A-Ittihad |
37 |
|
8. |
Henrikh Mkhitaryan |
Armenia |
Inter Milan |
36 |
|
9. |
Angel Di Maria |
Argentina |
Rosario |
37 |
|
10. |
Francesco Acerbi |
Italy |
Inter Milan |
37 |
|
11. |
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang |
Gabon |
Marseille |
36 |
|
12. |
Ilkay Gundogan |
Germany |
Galatasaray |
35 |
|
13. |
Sergio Ramos |
Spain |
Monterrey |
39 |
|
14. |
Jordan Henderson |
England |
Brentford |
35 |
|
15. |
Thiago Silva |
Brazil |
Fluminense |
41 |
While there will always be intense debate over where they all rank, Lionel Messi, Pele and Diego Maradona will forever be in the pantheon of all-time football greats.
Pele was football’s first global superstar, his name synonymous with the beautiful game. Winner of the World Cup in 1958 at the age of 17, the Brazilian went on to lift football’s most iconic trophy twice more, first in 1962 and then again in 1970.
And then came Diego Maradona, the first player to seriously threaten Pele’s status as the greatest footballer in history.
The diminutive playmaker inspired Argentina to World Cup glory at the 1986 finals in Mexico, hitting a level of individual brilliance that had never been seen before.
It seemed incomprehensible that we’d see another player as good as Maradona, but the otherworldly Messi burst onto the scene in 2005 and the rest is history.
If Messi wins a second successful World Cup with Argentina in the United States this summer, he will cement his status as football’s GOAT (greatest of all time), in the eyes of many football fans and pundits alike.
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For others, that happened as soon as he won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, producing a series of performances that rivalled Maradona’s 36 years earlier.
Sadly, Maradona wasn’t around to witness Messi’s crowning moment. He died two years earlier, aged just 60.
Pele, on the other hand, did witness Messi lifting the World Cup, but passed away himself less than two weeks later aged 82.
Pele and Maradona’s Private Chat About Messi in 2016
Years earlier, in June 2016, Maradona and Pele were caught by microphones having a private chat about Messi – and their comments now look very interesting.
Messi was going through a challenging period with Argentina at the time, faced with accusations that he cared more about playing for Barcelona than his national team.
These unfair accusations, combined with a series of near misses at major tournaments, even led to Messi announcing his retirement from international football after the 2016 Copa America.
Several weeks earlier, Maradona and Pele had their private chat. Pele, wanting to learn more about Messi’s personality, asked: “Diego, do you know Messi personally?”
Maradona, who coached Messi at the 2010 World Cup, replied: “Yes, yes, but…”
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Pele interjected: “Is he a good person? I don’t know him, I know him from…”
Maradona then said: “He is a good person, but he has no personality. He doesn’t have much personality, like how to be a leader.”
Pele responded: “Ah, I understand. Like there were many [players like this] in our time.”
Maradona added: “Exactly, many players, many…”
Pele then said: “In 1970, there was Rivelino. I was speaking about Messi, the Argentina of Messi. He said that Messi is a great player, there is no doubt, but he has no personality.” Watch the clip below:
While Messi has let his gifted feet do most of the talking during his illustrious career, there’s no doubt that his leadership qualities have massively improved since Maradona and Pele’s conversation.
Every player in Argentina’s most-recent squads would run through a brick wall for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has helped to cultivate an extraordinary team spirit with the help of manager Lionel Scaloni.
Messi, who reversed his decision to retire from international duty after a mass public appeal in August 2016, might be a very different character to Pele and Maradona – but he’s demonstrated over the past 10 years that he also has plenty of personality.
Liverpool are set for a busy summer transfer window, as Andoni Iraola is in the middle of building a squad capable of playing his style of play for next season.
Work has already been done to land some new signings, with Jeremy Jacquet arriving after a deal was agreed earlier this year, while Victor Munoz was signed from Osasuna as an early arrival.
However, there is an expectation that more deals will be on the way for Liverpool. A move for Yan Diomande is in the works, with a deal that could exceed £100 million.
While that would add some firepower, the Reds will also need to consider some sales. Among those angling for an exit is Federico Chiesa.
Federico Chiesa Eyed By Clubs
Chiesa continues to be linked with an exit this summer, as the forward looks for a new challenge to get himself back in and around some first-team action.
The Italian international has struggled since his move to Anfield, as injuries impacted his early time, while he has failed to regain his best form with the limited opportunities he has received since.
A move away seems likely, but it will depend on the interest he receives and whether it matches the valuation set by Liverpool. According to Calciomercato, there are three teams eyeing up a potential move.
Juventus are linked with a return for Chiesa, where he impressed a few years ago, with the star already admitting that the club has a special place in his heart.
That may not stop a move to their rivals, however, as Inter Milan and Napoli have also been linked with interest in the winger for this summer.
The report adds that Chiesa will have a month to decide on his future, and it’s unclear exactly which of those three clubs he could end up at.
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Competition Is Good For Chiesa Sale
As Liverpool look for a potential sale for Chiesa, there will be some hope that competition for his signature will help maximise the value they can extract this summer.
The Reds paid just £12.5 million for the winger, a fee that can easily be matched or exceeded this summer by the Serie A clubs showing interest.
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Any money from that deal could then help balance the books, especially with the expensive move for Diomande, as well as the deal for Munoz.
Considering the recent transfer spend, it’s important that Liverpool continue to find ways to raise funds to be active in the market going forward.
Nico Williams has opened up on the mental and physical toll of the past year and a half after suffering a fresh injury during Spain’s group stage win over Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, leaving his involvement in the rest of the tournament in doubt.
The Athletic Club winger had only come on as a substitute in the 76th minute, before picking up the issue following a challenge from Nicolas de la Cruz, who was booked for the tackle.
Williams has endured persistent fitness problems in the last 18 months, and this latest setback has clearly hit hard, with the 23-year-old reflecting on just how much he’s had to overcome to get back on the pitch.
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Williams, who has been subject to transfer interest from Arsenal, didn’t hold back when describing what he’s been through before reflecting on the latest blow.
“Today is one of the worst days of my life. I’ve gotten injured again after a very tough year, one in which the pubic symphysis pain won many battles against me, but not the war.”
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He continued by detailing just how much the injury affected his daily life, admitting: “It was a year and a half of suffering, sadness, uncertainty, and anxiety. I didn’t know when I’d be able to play without pain again or when I’d get back to a normal life. I even got to the point of living with the pain in things as simple as going to the bathroom, getting in and out of the car, or just enjoying day-to-day life.”
See what Williams had to say in full below:
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Turning to the incident involving De la Cruz, Williams suggested frustration played a part in the challenge that caused his injury.
“Yesterday, I was caused a new injury after an action in which a fellow professional acted out of frustration, discontent, and sadness over the situation he was going through.”
“It was a play that, in my opinion, could have been avoided because it was completely unnecessary.”
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Despite the disappointment, Williams remained defiant, insisting that there’s a chance he’ll be seen playing again during the tournament: “But this won’t stop me either. I know God has a plan for me, and I’ll keep fighting until the very last moment to get back to doing what I love most: playing soccer, being happy, and bringing joy to many.” Before going on to say that “the story isn’t over—we’ll see each other as soon as possible in this World Cup.”
It’s been a forgettable World Cup for Uruguay, and the manner of their exit has only added to that reputation. Agustin Canobbio was shown a straight red card in the same match for diving in on Pau Cubarsi, leading to some chaotic scenes as tempers flared late on.
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The defeat means Uruguay finish bottom of Group H and head home without a single win to their name this summer, leaving Williams’ injury as just one of several incidents that have left a sour taste from their campaign.
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