Top 10 Oldest Active Football Players in the World

Football demands intense physical and tactical skills, which makes it rare for players to compete into their late thirties and beyond. Most professionals retire in their early thirties, yet some exceptional athletes defy age by maintaining peak fitness and sharpness. Among them are stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, and Thiago Silva. Leading this unique group is Japan's Kazuyoshi Miura, who remains active at 59, showing that with passion and discipline, football careers can stretch far beyond typical limits.

This article highlights the top 10 oldest professional footballers still playing at a high level, many earning significant contracts and representing their nations internationally.

List of Oldest Active Football Players

• 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

• 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 Top Oldest Players

At 39, Manuel Neuer remains Bayern Munich’s first-choice goalkeeper, despite retiring from international duty in 2024. Rising from Schalke's youth ranks, Neuer joined Bayern in 2011 and is hailed as one of the finest keepers of his generation. He has won the 2014 FIFA World Cup and claimed 26 major trophies with Bayern including 12 Bundesliga titles and two UEFA Champions League crowns. His 983 career appearances highlight his enduring quality.

The Croatian maestro Luka Modrić continues impressing at 40, now with AC Milan after a stellar run at Real Madrid. Famous for his midfield brilliance, he led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final and earned the 2018 Ballon d'Or. Modrić has amassed over 1,100 club and country games, collecting six Champions League titles and four La Liga championships among other honors.

Still going strong at 41, Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is football’s all-time top international scorer with 143 goals and is nearing 1000 career goals. Recently he helped Portugal win the UEFA Nations League and featured in six World Cups. At the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo became the second-oldest goalscorer ever behind Roger Milla, and the oldest Portuguese scorer at the tournament.

Spain’s technically gifted Santi Cazorla defies age at 41, captaining Real Oviedo. Once sidelined for nearly two years by injuries, Cazorla returned to help Oviedo reach La Liga after 24 years. His club career includes Villarreal and Arsenal with over 500 appearances, and he earned 81 caps for Spain, winning two UEFA European Championships.

Brazilian veteran Thiago Silva is active at 41 with Porto after a spell at Fluminense. A commanding defender with over 800 club appearances, Silva has played for PSG, Chelsea, and AC Milan. He boasts 113 caps for Brazil, featuring in multiple World Cups and Copa America tournaments, and won seven Ligue 1 titles with PSG.

José Fonte, 42, leads Casa Pia in Portugal’s top flight. Part of Portugal’s Euro 2016-winning squad, Fonte also helped Lille win Ligue 1 in 2020-21. He has over 700 professional appearances across clubs including Southampton and Crystal Palace. Known for aerial strength and composure, Fonte peaked in his thirties and remains a reliable defensive figure.

At 44, Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz continues playing professionally with Nacional. Having debuted in 1997, he spent key years at Bayern Munich, winning five German titles and a Champions League trophy in 2001. Santa Cruz has 112 international caps and brings veteran leadership to his current club.

Goalkeeper Fábio, 45, guards the net for Fluminense. Known for his longevity, he appeared in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and has made over 1,300 professional appearances with more than 470 clean sheets. Despite not playing internationally due to competition, Fábio is a legendary figure in Brazilian football.

Georgi Petkov, 50, remains active with Slavia Sofia in Bulgaria. Starting his career in 1996, Petkov holds one of the highest appearance records in Bulgarian football. Renowned for leadership and shot-stopping, he made history as the oldest player in the Bulgarian top division and earned 19 national team caps.

The oldest professional footballer globally is Japanese legend Kazuyoshi Miura, 59, nicknamed King Kazu. Debuting in 1986 with Santos in Brazil, Miura has played in various countries including Italy and Croatia. He earned 90 caps for Japan, scoring 49 international goals. Miura currently plays for Atletico Suzuka on loan and holds the record as the oldest professional goal-scorer.

Oldest Football Players Ever to Play

• Kevin Poole: 41 years 164 days, England, Burton Albion, Career span 1981–2014, Won English League Cup
• Neville Southall: 41 years 178 days, Wales, Canvey Island, Career before 1974–2004, Premier League winner
• Roger Milla: 42 years 39 days, Cameroon, Putra Samarinda, Career before 1970–1996, Two AFCON titles
• Mark Schwarzer: 42 years 159 days, Australia/Germany, Leicester City, Career 1990–2016
• Brad Friedel: 42 years 176 days, USA, Tottenham Hotspur, Career before 1994–2015
• Steve Ogrizovic: 42 years 237 days, England/Serbia, Coventry City, Career 1977–2000
• Alec Chamberlain: 42 years 327 days, England, Watford, Career before 1982–2007
• Faryd Mondragon: 43 years 3 days, Colombia, Deportivo Cali, Career 1990–2014
• John Burridge: England, Blyth Spartans, Career before 1970–1998, Oldest Premier League player
• Essam El-Hadary: 45 years 161 days, Egypt, Nogoom FC, Career 1994–2019, Oldest World Cup player

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is the oldest football player?Japanese legend Kazuyoshi Miura at 59 years old.
• How long has the longest professional career lasted?Kazuyoshi Miura has played professionally since 1986, marking over 40 years.
• Is Cristiano Ronaldo on this list?Yes, at 41, Cristiano Ronaldo remains an active top-level player.