Top 11 Oldest Soccer Players Still Playing Today (2024)
Who are the oldest soccer players in the world that are still active? The beautiful game is a sport that anybody can play and find success at no matter their height, nationality, and age.
Age is usually seen as one of the most important factors in all sports, not just soccer, but for some extraordinary individuals, it’s just another challenge to overcome. The stories of these players shatter our preconceived beliefs about what is possible in sports as we age.
In this blog, I will go over the oldest soccer players still going strong and playing today.
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Robert Carmona- 62
Robert Carmona, from Uruguay, is recognized as one of the oldest professional soccer players still active in the sport. At 62 years old, he plays for the Uruguayan team Hacele Un Gol a la Vida, a fourth division club that provides opportunities for older athletes to continue their professional careers.
Robert Has played for over 20 teams in the lower leagues of Canada, United States, Spain, and Italy, and has participated in over 2,000 matches. His remarkable journey continues to inspire many and at the grand old age of 62 Robert is proving that age is just a number in professional football.
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Kazuyoshi Miura- 57
Kazuyoshi Miura, also known as ‘King Kazu’, is a 57 year old living legend in the world of professional soccer. At the age of 55 he signed a contract with Portuguese second-division side UD Oliveirense and has been with the club for over a year playing as a striker.
Miura’s career, which began in the early 1980s, spans multiple continents, including stints in Brazil, Japan, Italy, and Australia, playing for teams such as Suzuka Point Getters and Yokohama FC. With 709 career appearances and 193 goals, his record includes an impressive 55 goals in 89 games for the Japanese Football National Team.
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Paul Bastock- 54
Paul Bastock, a renowned English goalkeeper, and one of the few goalkeepers on this list, has built an extraordinary career spanning over three decades. At 54, he is still active and celebrated for his dedication and durability.
Bastock holds the record for the most club appearances by a goalkeeper, having played for numerous clubs across England, showcasing his reliable performances in front of goal. The goalkeeper position is one that players usually play until an old age, but playing until the age of 54 is truly remarkable.
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Georgi Petkov- 48
Georgi Petkov is a highly decorated Bulgarian goalkeeper whose career started in the late 1990s. Now 48, Petkov plays for Slavia Sofia in the Bulgarian top flight. His illustrious career includes over 400 appearances, with significant performances in the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League, and 19 caps for the Bulgarian national team.
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Dragan Jolovic- 48
Dragan Jolovic is a center back currently playing for FK Alfa Modrica in the second division of Bosnia and Herzegovina. At 48, Jolovic has made over 300 career appearances, including in Champions League qualifiers, and continues to be a reliable presence in the heart of the defense.
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Nasiruddin Chowdhury- 44
Nasiruddin Chowdhury is a center-back for Chittagong Abahani in the Bangladesh Premier League. At 44, he has made five appearances this season, scoring one goal. Chowdhury has spent his entire career in Bangladesh, amassing 132 appearances and 14 goals, and remains a key figure in his team’s defense.
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Ferreira Pinto – 44
Ferreira Pinto is a 44-year-old winger currently playing in Italian Serie D (4th division) for AC Ponte San Pietro. His respectable career includes 686 games and stints at notable clubs like Atalanta and Lecce. This season, he has made 23 appearances, showcasing his lasting athleticism and skills on the field.
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Rhys Griffiths- 44
Rhys Griffiths is a center-forward for Penybont FC in the Welsh Cymru Premier. At 44, Griffiths has a career spanning 313 games with 199 goals. Despite being on the substitutes’ bench in 11 games this season, he has yet to make an appearance but remains an active and influential figure in his team.
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Cesar Medina- 44
Cesar Medina is a striker playing for Alianza FC in Panama. At 44, he has made four appearances this season, scoring one goal. Medina’s loyalty to Alianza throughout his career has seen him rack up 147 appearances, and he remains a key player for his club.
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Yasushito Endo- 43
Yasuhito Endo is another veteran Japanese player that plays as a midfielder for Gamba Osaka in the J-League. At 43, Endo holds the record for the most capped player by the Japanese Football National Team, with over 150 appearances. His enduring presence on the field and contributions to Japanese football are things that fans truly appreciate about Endo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the oldest soccer player in the history of the game?
As of April 2024, Isaak Hayik became the oldest professional soccer player at the tender age of 73 when he played for Ironi Or Yehuda as a goalkeeper.
Who is the oldest footballer to have played at the international level?
King Kazu is one of the oldest players to have played at the international level and he is still active today, although not for the national team. His international career took place from 1990 up until 2000.
Who is the oldest professional footballer to play at the World Cup tournament?
Essam El-Hadary became the oldest footballer to play at the World Cup tournament with 45 years, 5 months and 10 days during the 2018 World Cup during a match between Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Who is the oldest professional soccer player in the Premier League?
Scott Carson from Manchester City is currently the oldest player in the Premier League at 38 years old.
Who are some of the best older players currently still playing Football in Europe?
For the sake of this post, “old” will be any player who is 35 or older, although that is not really old in the real world, but is in the world of Football.
- Cristiano Ronaldo 39 – Al Nassr (Saudi Pro League)
- Olivier Giroud 37 – AC Milan (Serie A)
- Leo Messi 36- Inter Miami (MLS)
- Luka Modrid- 38 – Real Madrid (La Liga)
How can I learn more about the game?
To learn more about soccer the most important thing is to join a team and play the game as much as possible. If possible, analyze high level games as much as you can and your own games as well by recording them with a soccer camera. Also read soccer books, listen to podcasts and interviews watch soccer documentaries, as well as some movies, tv shows, and anime.
Conclusion
In conclusion, age is just a number in professional football and if you are good enough to play at the professional level then it doesn’t matter how old or how young you are. If you are good enough that is all that matters and that is exactly what the players on this list prove.
In this blog, I went over the oldest active players in world football.
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