Top 10 Oldest Active Football Players in the World

Football demands intense physical effort, yet some players continue to perform at an elite level well beyond the usual retirement age. Most professionals retire in their thirties, but a few veterans like Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, and Thiago Silva still compete fiercely due to their fitness, experience, and smart play. Leading this group is Japanese legend Kazuyoshi Miura, who remains active at 59, showing that dedication can push career limits.

Here’s a list of the oldest footballers still playing professionally, many earning top contracts and representing their nations on the international stage.

• 10. Manuel Neuer – Age: 39, Country: Germany, Club: Bayern Munich, Career Start: 2005
• 9. Luka Modrić – Age: 40, Country: Croatia, Club: AC Milan, Career Start: 2003
• 8. Cristiano Ronaldo – Age: 41, Country: Portugal, Club: Al Nassr, Career Start: 2002
• 7. Santi Cazorla – Age: 41, Country: Spain, Club: Real Oviedo, Career Start: 2003
• 6. Thiago Silva – Age: 41, Country: Brazil, Club: Porto, Career Start: 2002
• 5. José Fonte – Age: 42, Country: Portugal, Club: Casa Pia, Career Start: 2003
• 4. Roque Santa Cruz – Age: 44, Country: Paraguay, Club: Nacional, Career Start: 1997
• 3. Fábio – Age: 45, Country: Brazil, Club: Fluminense, Career Start: 1997
• 2. Georgi Petkov – Age: 50, Country: Bulgaria, Club: Slavia Sofia, Career Start: 1996
• 1. Kazuyoshi Miura – Age: 59, Country: Japan, Club: Atletico Suzuka, Career Start: 1986

Profiles of the Oldest Active Players

Manuel Neuer (39) – Bayern Munich

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer remains Bayern Munich’s key player despite retiring from international duty in 2024. Rising through Schalke's youth ranks, Neuer has been with Bayern since 2011 and is considered one of the best goalkeepers of his generation. He boasts 26 domestic titles, including 12 Bundesliga wins, 2 Champions League trophies, and the 2014 World Cup with Germany. His consistent performances make him a standout veteran in 2026.

• 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) – AC Milan

Luka Modrić continues to impress at 40, recently joining AC Milan after a legendary run with Real Madrid. Known as one of football’s finest midfielders, he led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final. Modrić has won 6 Champions League titles and was named The Best FIFA Men’s Player in 2018. His elegance and control remain sharp despite his age.

• 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

Cristiano Ronaldo (41) – Al Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo remains a global icon and one of the game's greatest scorers at 41. The Portuguese star holds the record for most international goals (143) and is nearing 1000 career goals. After a decorated club career, he plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. In 2026, he became the second-oldest player to score in a World Cup, and the oldest Portuguese scorer at the tournament.

• 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) – Real Oviedo

Santi Cazorla is admired for his technical skill and resilience. Despite long injury setbacks, he captains Real Oviedo at 41, helping them return to La Liga. Previously a key figure at Villarreal and Arsenal, Cazorla earned 81 caps for Spain and won two UEFA European Championships.

• 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) – Porto

The Brazilian defender Thiago Silva remains solid at 41, currently playing for Porto after a stint with Fluminense. He has over 800 club appearances and 113 caps for Brazil. Silva won numerous titles with PSG, Chelsea, and AC Milan, including 7 Ligue 1 championships and the Copa América.

• 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) – Casa Pia

José Fonte captains Casa Pia and remains a dependable presence at 42. He played a vital role in Portugal’s 2016 European Championship win and helped Lille secure the Ligue 1 title in 2020-21. Fonte's aerial ability and leadership have kept him competitive into his forties.

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

Roque Santa Cruz (44) – Nacional

Roque Santa Cruz debuted in 1997 and is among the oldest still playing. The Paraguayan striker had success at Bayern Munich, winning 5 German titles and the 2000-01 Champions League. At 44, he leads Nacional with experience and 112 national team appearances.

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

Fábio (45) – Fluminense

Brazilian goalkeeper Fábio is 45 and still first-choice at Fluminense. He has made over 1300 professional appearances and kept more than 470 clean sheets. Despite never playing internationally due to stiff competition, his longevity between the posts is remarkable.

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

Georgi Petkov (50) – Slavia Sofia

Georgi Petkov, a Bulgarian goalkeeper, remains active at 50 for Slavia Sofia. He holds one of the highest appearance records in the Bulgarian league and is known for his shot-stopping skills and leadership. Petkov played for Bulgaria's national team for two decades.

• 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 (59) – Atletico Suzuka

Kazuyoshi Miura, known as King Kazu, is the oldest professional footballer worldwide at 59. Starting his career in 1986, he has played across Brazil, Italy, Croatia, and Japan. He remains active in Japan’s lower divisions and holds records as the oldest professional goalscorer. Miura earned 90 caps and scored 49 goals for Japan.

• Playing Tenure: 1986–Present
• Clubs: Santos, Genoa, Vissel Kobe, Atletico Suzuka
• Total Appearances: 755 club + 89 country
• Trophies: Oldest professional goalscorer

Oldest Football Players Ever

• 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, Footballer of the Year England
• Roger Milla – 42 years 39 days, Cameroon, Putra Samarinda, before 1970–1996, AFCON winner twice, African Footballer of the Year 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 World Cup player

FAQs

• Who is the oldest football player?Kazuyoshi Miura, aged 59, is the oldest active football player.
• How old is the oldest football player?Kazuyoshi Miura is currently 59 years old.
• Who has had the longest professional career?Kazuyoshi Miura has the longest career span, beginning in 1986.
• Is Cristiano Ronaldo included?Yes, the 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo is part of this list.