Cristiano Ronaldo has scored another 62 goals
Cristiano Ronaldo (39 years and 2 months) is the example to follow for any footballer who wants to retire as late as possible. However, at the age of 37, he had a complicated year at Manchester United. But despite the crisis within his club and the turmoil in which he found himself (he was sanctioned for having criticized coach Ten Hag in an interview), he still scored twelve goals for United (including two hattricks, against Tottenham and Norwich), before becoming the number 1 star in Saudi Arabia, with 50 goals with Al Nassr. And he hasn't said his last word yet.
Jan Vertonghen leaves the Devils after the Euro, but could re-sign for Anderlecht
Luka Modric: 90 minutes in Clasico at 38.5 years old
Luka Modric (38 years and 7 months) is even more exceptional, given that he chose to stay with one of the best clubs in the world. And the Croatian, whom Vertonghen should have faced in the final of the 2018 World Cup, does not play an extra role at Real Madrid. Last Sunday, again, he played 90 minutes against Barcelona. He is no longer still a starter but is still worth gold. Since his 37th birthday, he has compiled… nineteen matches in the Champions League. What Vertonghen will no longer be able to do.
Pepe still a starter at 41
Pepe (41 years and 2 months) is breaking all records. Still a starter and captain at Porto, the former Real Madrid central defender is indestructible. Since his 37th birthday, celebrated before the start of the Covid period, the Portuguese veteran has played… 184 matches. Just like Vertonghen, he is still international. But with his 154 matches as Devil, Sterke Jan still ahead of Pepe's 136 caps for the Portuguese national team.
Sergio Ramos refuses 20 million at 37
Another central defender who refuses to give up: Sergio Ramos. Monument to Real Madrid, he made a detour via PSG to end his career at Sevilla FC. In the meantime, he is 38 years old and he is still a starter. He even scored the winning goal at Getafe (0-1) on his 38th birthday. When leaving PSG at the age of 37, he refused a salary offer of twenty million from Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, since he wanted to play again in the club of his origins.
Edin Dzeko (38) scored 24
The Bosnian striker is insatiable. He celebrated his 38th birthday and is still a goal machine, this time at Fenerbahçe, where he has scored 24 since the start of the season. After suffering from competition against Romelu Lukaku at Inter in 2022-2023, he left for Turkey for a salary of five million per year, and he signed until he was 39. He was able to make do with two comebacks against the Union, given that qualification had already been achieved.
Thiago Silva (39) Chelsea Player of the Year
Meanwhile, Chelsea's Brazilian defender is already 39 years old and he scored one of the goals in the 4-4 against Manchester City at the start of the season. At the end of last season – he was 38 years old – he was voted Player of the Year for his club. You had to go back to 2006 and John Terry to find traces of a defender on the list of winners of this trophy.
Dante Bonfim captain in Nice at 39
Obviously, its name evokes memories in you. He began his career at Charleroi (2006-2007) and Standard (2007-2009) before becoming a star for Bayern in the Bundesliga. At 39, the Brazilian with the Fellaini Cup (who stopped at 36) is still a sure value in the Nice defense, where he is captain.
Zlatan: last match against… Vertonghen at 41
Zlatan played his last match at 41 years and 5 months. Irony of fate: his direct opponent when he came into the game was… Jan Vertonghen, during Belgium's 0-3 in Sweden, in March 2023. Despite numerous injuries, Zlatan gave the maximum of his career. Since his 37th birthday, which he celebrated in Los Angeles, he has scored another 65 goals: 33 with the LA Galaxy and 32 with AC Milan, his last club. In total, his counter shows 827 club matches. Vertonghen is at 715 matches, excluding those with the national team.
Totti: Manchester City scorer at 38
Another veteran who deserves a statue for having delighted the public beyond his 40 years. Totti was 40 years and 8 months when he played his last match with AS Roma, in 2017. He still scored 22 goals after passing the 37-year-old mark. His most memorable goal as a grandpa was the 1-1 at Manchester City – on a pass from Nainggolan – at the age of 38, in 2014. A few months later, he scored twice against Lazio (2-2). His first European goal dates from 1995 against… Eendracht Aalst (4-0). He played 783 matches for Roma.
Chiellini muzzled Lukaku at 37
Another model for Jan Vertonghen: Giorgio Chiellini, who has just ended his career in December 2023 at 39 years and 4 months at Los Angeles FC. Bonucci's eternal colleague in central defense, Chiellini is Belgium's beast: he muzzled Romelu Lukaku at Euro 2016 and 2021. During the quarter-finals in 2021 in Munich, he was almost 37 years old. He left Juventus at age 38 after 17 seasons and 9 titles, but he was still so good, he could have stayed.
Simons Belgian record holder with his 41 years and 6 months
We would be disrespectful to our Timmy Simons if we don't include him in this list. At 41 years and 6 months, he is the oldest outfield player to have played in our championship. The current coach of Dender, who has just moved up to D1A, established this record with Club Bruges during the last match of the 2017-2018 season. He would have had to hold on for another three years to beat the absolute record of goalkeeper Ratko Svilar, Mile's father, who played his last match with Antwerp at 44 years, 4 months and 4 days.
Deschacht scores against Anderlecht at almost 38 years old
He dreamed of ending his career at Anderlecht at the age of 40, but Marc Coucke did not do him that favor. He had to leave Anderlecht at 37 years and four months. He returned to Parc Astrid when he was almost 38 and scored 1-1 with Lokeren. He finally ended his career in style at Zulte Waregem, at 40 years and three months. His coach Francky Dury wanted him to play until he was 41, but Deschacht refused.
