Top 10 Oldest Active Football Players in the World

Football demands intense physical effort, but some players keep defying age limits. Although most retire in their thirties, veterans like Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, and Thiago Silva still compete at the highest level thanks to discipline, experience, and adaptability. Leading the pack is Japanese legend Kazuyoshi Miura, playing professionally at 59. These athletes prove that tactical knowledge, fitness upkeep, and passion can extend careers beyond usual expectations.

Oldest Football Players Still Active

• Rank: 10
• Player: Manuel Neuer
• Age: 40
• Country: Germany
• Current Club: Bayern Munich
• Career Start Date: 2005

• Rank: 9
• Player: Luka Modrić
• Age: 40
• Country: Croatia
• Current Club: AC Milan
• Career Start Date: 2003

• Rank: 8
• Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
• Age: 41
• Country: Portugal
• Current Club: Al Nassr
• Career Start Date: 2002

• Rank: 7
• Player: Santi Cazorla
• Age: 41
• Country: Spain
• Current Club: Real Oviedo
• Career Start Date: 2003

• Rank: 6
• Player: Thiago Silva
• Age: 41
• Country: Brazil
• Current Club: Porto
• Career Start Date: 2002

• Rank: 5
• Player: José Fonte
• Age: 42
• Country: Portugal
• Current Club: Casa Pia
• Career Start Date: 2003

• Rank: 4
• Player: Roque Santa Cruz
• Age: 44
• Country: Paraguay
• Current Club: Nacional
• Career Start Date: 1997

• Rank: 3
• Player: Fábio
• Age: 45
• Country: Brazil
• Current Club: Fluminense
• Career Start Date: 1997

• Rank: 2
• Player: Georgi Petkov
• Age: 50
• Country: Bulgaria
• Current Club: Slavia Sofia
• Career Start Date: 1996

• Rank: 1
• Player: Kazuyoshi Miura
• Age: 59
• Country: Japan
• Current Club: Atletico Suzuka
• Career Start Date: 1986

Profiles of the Oldest Footballers

At 39, Manuel Neuer remains Bayern Munich's top goalkeeper after retiring from international duty in 2024. Rising through Schalke's youth ranks, he joined Bayern in 2011 and became one of the era's greatest keepers. Neuer has played over 980 matches, winning the 2014 World Cup, 12 Bundesliga titles, two Champions League trophies, and multiple FIFA Club World Cups.

• Age: 39
• Playing Tenure: 2005–Present
• Clubs: Schalke 04, Bayern Munich
• Total Appearances: 858 (club) + 125 (country)
• Trophies: FIFA World Cup (2014), 2× UCL, 12× Bundesliga

Luka Modrić, 40, continues his career in Serie A after a legendary spell with Real Madrid. Known as one of football's finest midfielders, he led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final and won the Ballon d’Or in 2018. Modrić has played nearly 1,100 games for clubs and country combined.

• Age: 40
• Playing Tenure: 2003–Present
• Clubs: Dinamo Zagreb, Tottenham, Real Madrid, AC Milan
• Total Appearances: 932 (club) + 199 (country)
• Trophies: 4× La Liga, Ballon d’Or (2018), 6× UCL, WC Runner-up

At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo is among the oldest players competing at the top level. He holds records as international football’s top scorer with 143 goals and is close to reaching 1,000 career goals. Ronaldo recently won the UEFA Nations League with Portugal and plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. He is the second-oldest scorer at the World Cup and the oldest Portuguese player to net in the tournament.

• Age: 41
• Playing Tenure: 2002–Present
• Clubs: Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al Nassr
• Total Appearances: 1091 (club) + 229 (country)
• Trophies: 5× Ballon d’Or, 5× UCL, UEFA Euro winner

Santi Cazorla, 41, leads Real Oviedo as captain. Known for technical skill and creativity, he overcame severe injuries that sidelined him for 636 days. With over 850 career appearances, he won two UEFA European Championships with Spain and earned acclaim at Villarreal and Arsenal.

• Age: 41
• Playing Tenure: 2003–Present
• Clubs: Villarreal, Arsenal, Real Oviedo
• Total Appearances: 774 (club) + 81 (country)
• Trophies: 2× UEFA Euro, 2× FA Cup

Thiago Silva, 41, recently returned to Europe to play for Porto after two years at Fluminense. The Brazilian defender has over 930 professional appearances, including stints at PSG, Chelsea, and AC Milan. He boasts 113 caps for Brazil, winning Copa América and numerous club trophies.

• Age: 41
• Playing Tenure: 2002–Present
• Clubs: AC Milan, PSG, Chelsea, Porto
• Total Appearances: 818 (club) + 113 (country)
• Trophies: Copa América, UCL, 7× Ligue 1

José Fonte, 42, captains Casa Pia in Portugal’s top league. Part of Portugal’s 2016 Euro-winning squad, he played key roles at Southampton and Lille. Fonte made 178 Premier League appearances and helped Lille win Ligue 1 in 2020-21. His aerial strength and passing stand out.

• Age: 42
• Playing Tenure: 2003–Present
• Clubs: Southampton, Lille, Casa Pia
• Total Appearances: 751 (club) + 50 (country)
• Trophies: UEFA Euro 2016, Ligue 1

The Paraguayan Roque Santa Cruz, 44, debuted in 1997 and has played globally. He spent many years at Bayern Munich, scoring 51 goals in 238 appearances and winning 13 trophies, including the 2001 Champions League. Now at Nacional, he brings decades of experience and has 112 caps for Paraguay.

• Age: 44
• Playing Tenure: 1998–Present
• Clubs: Bayern Munich, Blackburn, Nacional
• Total Appearances: 850 (club) + 112 (country)
• Trophies: UCL winner (2001), 112 international caps

Fábio Deivson Lopes Maciel, 45, continues as Fluminense’s first-choice goalkeeper. Though never capped for Brazil due to competition, he has made over 1,300 professional appearances and kept more than 470 clean sheets. Fábio was part of Fluminense’s 2025 FIFA Club World Cup squad and remains a key figure between the posts.

• Age: 45
• Playing Tenure: 1998–Present
• Clubs: Cruzeiro, Fluminense
• Total Appearances: 1303 (club) + 0 (country)
• Trophies: Copa Libertadores, 470+ clean sheets

Bulgarian veteran goalkeeper Georgi Petkov, 50, still plays for Slavia Sofia. Beginning his career in 1996, he has appeared in over 400 league matches and won multiple Bulgarian championships and cups. Petkov also earned 19 national team caps and holds the record as the oldest player in Bulgaria’s top division.

• Age: 50
• Playing Tenure: 1996–Present
• Clubs: Slavia Sofia, Levski Sofia, EN Paralimni
• Total Appearances: 402 (club) + 19 (country)
• Trophies: 4× Bulgarian Championship, 5× Bulgarian Cup

Kazuyoshi Miura, nicknamed King Kazu, is the oldest active professional footballer worldwide at 59. Starting in 1986 at Santos, he has played in Brazil, Italy, Croatia, and Japan. He earned 90 caps for Japan and scored 49 international goals. Currently on loan at Fukushima United, Miura remains an iconic figure demonstrating remarkable longevity.

• Age: 59
• Playing Tenure: 1986–Present
• Clubs: Santos, Genoa, Vissel Kobe, Atletico Suzuka
• Total Appearances: 755 (club) + 89 (country)
• Trophies: Oldest professional goal-scorer

All-Time Oldest Football Players at Their Last Match

• 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 titles and Footballer of the Year
• Roger Milla - 42 years 39 days, Cameroon, Putra Samarinda, before 1970–1996, AFCON winner twice
• 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 a World Cup

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is the oldest active football player? Kazuyoshi Miura at 59 years old.
• How long has Kazuyoshi Miura's career lasted? Since 1986, making it over 40 years.
• Is Cristiano Ronaldo on the list? Yes, he is 41 and still active.