Top 10 Oldest Active Football Players in the World
Football demands a blend of physical strength, tactical skills, and constant energy. Most players retire by their thirties, yet a rare few defy this trend, extending their careers well beyond usual limits. Names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, and Thiago Silva remain prominent, competing fiercely even as they approach or surpass 40 years of age. Leading the pack is Japan's Kazuyoshi Miura, active at 59, proving that persistence and passion can sustain a professional football career for decades.
Top 10 Oldest Footballers Still Playing Professionally
- Rank: 10
- Player: Manuel Neuer
- Age: 39
- Country: Germany
- Current Club: Bayern Munich
- Career Start: 2005
- Rank: 9
- Player: Luka Modrić
- Age: 40
- Country: Croatia
- Current Club: AC Milan
- Career Start: 2003
- Rank: 8
- Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
- Age: 41
- Country: Portugal
- Current Club: Al Nassr
- Career Start: 2002
- Rank: 7
- Player: Santi Cazorla
- Age: 41
- Country: Spain
- Current Club: Real Oviedo
- Career Start: 2003
- Rank: 6
- Player: Thiago Silva
- Age: 41
- Country: Brazil
- Current Club: Porto
- Career Start: 2002
- Rank: 5
- Player: José Fonte
- Age: 42
- Country: Portugal
- Current Club: Casa Pia
- Career Start: 2003
- Rank: 4
- Player: Roque Santa Cruz
- Age: 44
- Country: Paraguay
- Current Club: Nacional
- Career Start: 1997
- Rank: 3
- Player: Fábio
- Age: 45
- Country: Brazil
- Current Club: Fluminense
- Career Start: 1997
- Rank: 2
- Player: Georgi Petkov
- Age: 50
- Country: Bulgaria
- Current Club: Slavia Sofia
- Career Start: 1996
- Rank: 1
- Player: Kazuyoshi Miura
- Age: 59
- Country: Japan
- Current Club: Atletico Suzuka
- Career Start: 1986
Profiles of the Oldest Active Footballers
At 39, Manuel Neuer remains Bayern Munich’s primary goalkeeper. He retired from international duty in 2024 but continues to shine at club level. Starting with Schalke’s youth system, Neuer joined Bayern in 2011. His accolades include winning the 2014 World Cup, two UEFA Champions League titles, and 12 Bundesliga championships.
- Age: 39
- Career Length: 2005–Present
- Clubs: Schalke 04, Bayern Munich
- Total Appearances: 858 club + 125 country
- Achievements: 2014 FIFA World Cup winner, 2× UCL, 12× Bundesliga
At 40, Luka Modrić continues to impress with his midfield mastery. Having played for Dinamo Zagreb, Tottenham, and Real Madrid, he moved to AC Milan in 2025. Modrić led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final and won the Ballon d’Or in 2018.
- Age: 40
- Career Length: 2003–Present
- Clubs: Dinamo Zagreb, Tottenham, Real Madrid, AC Milan
- Total Appearances: 932 club + 199 country
- Achievements: 4 La Liga titles, 6 UCL trophies, Ballon d’Or 2018, WC runner-up
The 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo still competes at the top with Saudi club Al Nassr. With over 1,300 combined appearances, he holds records as the all-time international top scorer and boasts five Ballon d’Or awards. He recently played his sixth World Cup and scored two goals in the 2026 tournament, becoming Portugal’s oldest scorer in the competition.
- Age: 41
- Career Length: 2002–Present
- Clubs: Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al Nassr
- Total Appearances: 1091 club + 229 country
- Achievements: 5× Ballon d’Or, 5 UCL titles, UEFA Euro winner, all-time international top scorer
Santi Cazorla, aged 41, is known for his skillful play and resilience. After overcoming severe injuries, he captains Real Oviedo and helped them return to La Liga after 24 years. Cazorla has over 500 club appearances with Villarreal and Arsenal, and earned 81 caps for Spain, winning two European Championships.
- Age: 41
- Career Length: 2003–Present
- Clubs: Villarreal, Arsenal, Real Oviedo
- Total Appearances: 774 club + 81 country
- Achievements: 2× UEFA Euro, 2× FA Cup
Now 41, Thiago Silva returned to Europe in 2026 to join Porto after a stint at Fluminense. The veteran defender has represented PSG, Chelsea, and AC Milan, winning numerous titles including seven Ligue 1 crowns and a Copa América with Brazil.
- Age: 41
- Career Length: 2002–Present
- Clubs: AC Milan, PSG, Chelsea, Porto
- Total Appearances: 818 club + 113 country
- Achievements: Copa América, UCL, 7× Ligue 1
José Fonte, 42, leads Casa Pia in Portugal’s top league. A European Champion with Portugal in 2016, he excelled at Southampton and Lille, contributing to Lille’s Ligue 1 win in 2021. Known for his aerial strength and precise passing, Fonte has made over 700 professional appearances.
- Age: 42
- Career Length: 2003–Present
- Clubs: Southampton, Lille, Casa Pia
- Total Appearances: 751 club + 50 country
- Achievements: UEFA Euro 2016, Ligue 1 title
At 44, Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz is still active, currently at Nacional. He spent many years at Bayern Munich, where he won five Bundesliga titles and the 2001 Champions League. Santa Cruz earned 112 caps for Paraguay and brings vast experience to his team.
- Age: 44
- Career Length: 1998–Present
- Clubs: Bayern Munich, Blackburn, Nacional
- Total Appearances: 850 club + 112 country
- Achievements: UCL winner (2001), 112 international caps
Goalkeeper Fábio, 45, guards the net for Fluminense. Despite never playing internationally for Brazil, he holds impressive longevity stats with over 1,300 matches and 470 clean sheets. He was part of Fluminense's 2025 FIFA Club World Cup squad and signed a contract lasting until 2027.
- Age: 45
- Career Length: 1998–Present
- Clubs: Cruzeiro, Fluminense
- Total Appearances: 1303 club + 0 country
- Achievements: Copa Libertadores, 470+ clean sheets
Bulgarian goalkeeper Georgi Petkov, 50, plays for Slavia Sofia. Starting his career in 1996, Petkov is one of the top appearance makers in Bulgaria’s first division with over 400 games. Known for his leadership and shot-stopping, he became the oldest player in Bulgaria’s top flight in 2018.
- Age: 50
- Career Length: 1996–Present
- Clubs: Slavia Sofia, Levski Sofia, EN Paralimni
- Total Appearances: 402 club + 19 country
- Achievements: 4× Bulgarian Championship, 5× Bulgarian Cup
Nicknamed King Kazu, Kazuyoshi Miura is football’s oldest active player at 59. His career began in 1986 at Santos in Brazil. Miura has played across Japan, Italy, Croatia, and Portugal. He holds the record as the oldest professional goal-scorer and continues to play in Japan’s lower divisions on loan.
- Age: 59
- Career Length: 1986–Present
- Clubs: Santos, Genoa, Vissel Kobe, Atletico Suzuka
- Total Appearances: 755 club + 89 country
- Achievements: Oldest professional goal-scorer
Historic Oldest Football Players
- Kevin Poole: 41 years 164 days, England, Burton Albion, 1981–2014, English League Cup winner
- Neville Southall: 41 years 178 days, Wales, Canvey Island, before 1974–2004, Premier League winner
- Roger Milla: 42 years 39 days, Cameroon, Putra Samarinda, before 1970–1996, 2× AFCON winner
- Mark Schwarzer: 42 years 159 days, Australia/Germany, Leicester City, 1990–2016
- Brad Friedel: 42 years 176 days, USA, Tottenham Hotspur, before 1994–2015
- Steve Ogrizovic: 42 years 237 days, England/Serbia, Coventry City, 1977–2000
- Alec Chamberlain: 42 years 327 days, England, Watford, before 1982–2007
- Faryd Mondragon: 43 years 3 days, Colombia, Deportivo Cali, 1990–2014
- John Burridge: England, Blyth Spartans, before 1970–1998, oldest Premier League player
- Essam El-Hadary: 45 years 161 days, Egypt, Nogoom FC, 1994–2019, oldest player in World Cup
FAQs
- Who is the oldest football player? Kazuyoshi Miura is the oldest active player at 59 years.
- How old is the oldest football player? Kazuyoshi Miura is 59 years old.
- Who has had the longest professional career? Kazuyoshi Miura, starting his career in 1986.
- Is Cristiano Ronaldo on the list? Yes, at 41, he remains active professionally.
