In brief
Football players like Ronaldo, Messi, and Modric are examples of how age no longer restricts a player’s career.
Football’s conventional perception of ageing is being challenged by the success of top players over 35.
Top scorers like Benzema and Lewandowski are examples, demonstrating talent, tenacity, and longevity.
The largest obstacle to longevity in athletics, like in life, is ageing. Although some football players retire early, there are just as many people today who demonstrate that age is simply a number in a society that prioritises fitness and health. It’s hard to see some football players ever hanging up their boots since they seem to have an endless youth, like a good wine.
In the past, turning 35 was frequently interpreted as a player’s imminent departure from the pitch. However, there has been a significant change in this perception. The top 15 players that continue to score, assist, and keep clean sheets well after that point are examined by GIVEMESPORT below, demonstrating that age is no longer a barrier in football. Their remarkable results, which display skill and resiliency at an older stage of their careers, defy the conventional perception of ageing athletes.
15 top players that are at least 35 years old
Rank
The player
Country of origin
Club
Age
1.
Lewandowski, Robert
Poland
Barcelona
36
2.
Lionel Messi
Argentina
Miami Inter
37
3.
Modric Luka
Croatia
Real Madrid
39
4.
Neuer, Manuel
Germany
The Bayern Munich
39
5.
Ronaldo Cristiano
Portugal
Al-Nassr
40
6.
Benzema Karim
France
Al-Ittihad
37
7.
Sommer Yann
Switzerland
Milan Inter
36
8.
Mkhitaryan Henrikh
Armenia
Milan Inter
36
9.
Angel Di Maria
Argentina
Benfica
37
10.
Suarez Luis
Uruguay
Miami Inter
38
11.
Muller, Thomas
Germany
The Bayern Munich
35
12.
The Aubameyang Pierre-Emerick
Gabon
Al-Qadsiah
35
13.
Busquets, Sergio
Spain
Miami Inter
36
14.
Hummels, Mats
Germany
Roma
36
15.
Dzeko Edin
Bosnia
Fenerbahce
39
10Luis Suarez – Inter Miami
Age: 38
Luis Suarez, known by his nickname “El Pistolero” (“The Gunman”), is considered by many to be among the greatest attackers of all time and among the best players of his generation. Even though he is now 38, he still scores goals even though he isn’t leading Barcelona to glory.
It is simply astounding that the Uruguayan, who recently departed from international duty, scored 21 goals and provided nine assists in 30 MLS games in 2024. It used to be viewed similarly to Saudi Arabia, but players like Suarez have aggressively brought it to the attention of the world.
9Angel Di Maria – Benfica
Age: 37
Even though he is getting close to his forties, Di Maria has had an amazing career and is still performing at the highest level. Since his return to Benfica in 2023, Di Maria has been dominating the Portuguese premier division. He added 14 assists and scored 17 goals in all competitions in the 2023–24 season, including five in Europe.
He has been among the Liga Portugal’s best players statistically this season and hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. With an average rating of 7.17/10, he has been ranked as the seventh greatest player in the league this season by WhoScored.
8Henrikh Mkhitaryan – Inter Milan
Age: 36
After struggling to adjust to Premier League football with Manchester United and Arsenal, Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s career took an interesting turn in the summer of 2022 when he joined Inter Milan. He made 49 appearances and scored five goals in his debut season wearing the recognisable black and blue jersey, including a crucial goal in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final matchup against AC Milan.
The Armenian international has since shown that he is getting faster and more efficient as he gets older. He contributed eight Serie A assists in the 2023–2024 season, which helped Inter Milan win the Italian championship. Despite his inconsistent shifts at Old Trafford and the Emirates, the 36-year-old has started in the middle of the park in nearly every league game this season.
7Yann Sommer – Inter Milan
Age: 36
It’s obvious that Inter Milan is doing something unique for its veterans. Yann Sommer is another member of their team. He is 36 years old and played 451 minutes this summer, making him Switzerland’s consistent number one going into the 2024 European Championships.
Sommer broke the Bundesliga’s single-game saves record with 19 saves against Bayern Munich just two seasons ago, during the 2022–2023 season. As Inter Milan dominates the table, he continues to demonstrate that he is one of the most dependable glove-bearers in Europe as the star goalie for Simone Inzaghi’s team.
6Karim Benzema – Al-Ittihad
Age: 37
Karim Benzema really took over after Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid, reminding everyone of his potential when he isn’t under the shadow of someone else. Although his 2022 Ballon d’Or victory marked the pinnacle of an extremely successful career, he hasn’t slowed down since leaving Los Blancos to pursue his profession in Saudi Arabia.
Although he didn’t have a strong start with Al-Ittihad, he quickly turned that around and is currently playing at his peak. Over the past five years, Benzema has scored and assisted on several goals in games for Madrid, the Saudi Pro League team, and France. He has already scored eighteen goals in twenty-five games this season alone.
5Cristiano Ronaldo – Al-Nassr
Age: 40
Despite being forty years old, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Pro League stats reflect those of a clinical finisher in his heyday. The 2023–24 season saw the Portuguese superstar win the Golden Boot with 35 league goals in 31 games. Ronaldo is the greatest goal scorer in football history, so it should come as no surprise.
He is the only player to have scored more than 900 goals in his more than 1200 club games to date. Many years ago, the 40-year-old made the switch from being a skilled winger to a prolific center-forward, and he has never looked back since, finding the net wherever he goes. During his tenure in Spain, Ronaldo had a significant role in Real Madrid’s four Champions League victories, and his devoted supporters continue to view him in the same way.
4Manuel Neuer – Bayern Munich
Age: 38
There aren’t many, if any, more gifted goalkeepers in the world than the amazing Manuel Neuer, who is still captain of both his club and his nation. As he guided Germany and Bayern Munich to victory, the German in his prime redefined what it meant to be a “sweeper-keeper.” Despite his advanced age, the 2014 World Cup champion remains among the world’s top number one players.
The goalie will probably continue to play at his best into his 40s because he is still swift off his line. The 38-year-old Germany international has played in over 550 games for the Bavarian team, keeping just over 250 clean sheets. Neuer will be remembered as one of the best goalkeepers in the history of the game when he finally hangs up his famous gloves.
3Luka Modric – Real Madrid
Age: 39
At first, it seemed as though Luka Modric’s time at the top level would be coming to an end because his Real Madrid contract was about to expire in the summer of 2024. However, the tenacious midfielder was rewarded with a new short-term deal. Since joining Los Blancos from Tottenham more than ten years ago, he has been magnificent.
The Croatian played a key role in his team’s historic Champions League run alongside Toni Kroos. With five trophy lifts, he has tied for the most victories in the top European tournament. Being one of just two players, aside from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, to win the Ballon d’Or during their 17-year duopoly, Modric is undoubtedly one of the finest midfielders to have ever set foot on a football ground and one of the greatest Champions League players of all time.
2Lionel Messi – Inter Miami
Age: 37
Even in his 30s, Lionel Messi continues to produce incredible moments on a regular basis. After all, his historic World Cup victory in 2022 was the culmination of his football career, adding to his collection of La Liga crowns, Ligue 1 medals, and domestic cups. The Barcelona icon is one of just three players to win a Ballon d’Or at the age of 35 or older, and he shattered numerous records during his career, including his 91-goal total in 2012.
The little magician immediately improved Inter Miami’s fortunes after leaving Europe in 2023, playing a key role in the team’s inaugural trophy victory. Messi’s brilliant athleticism and incredible vision allow him to dominate games. The 37-year-old plays the game with a grace that most players can only imagine, and it’s because of this grace that he’s able to maintain his level of performance.
1Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona
Age: 36
When it comes to Robert Lewandowski, there are a lot of adjectives to employ. The Polish striker may be the best forward in global football right now, and his season-long numbers have been nothing short of spectacular as Barcelona finds the ideal mix of youth and experience to surpass Real Madrid.
Lewandowski was born in Warsaw, and his outstanding record of 25 goals in 28 La Liga games provides ample evidence of his durability. You can wager on the seasoned centre striker doing what he does best—scoring goals—regardless of age.
