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.