For most people, football is a sport played only by young people, but for these select people, age is nothing more than a number. Despite their advanced age, these players still prove their worth on the field. Today you will meet the oldest football players in the world currently active.
Here are the oldest football players still playing football in 2022.
1. Robert Carmona – 59 years old
Robert Carmona is currently the oldest active player in football. Little was known about him until he was confirmed as the oldest football player in the world by Guinness World Records in 2022. Carmona will soon turn 60, but he still plays official matches for his fourth division club Hacele Un Gol A La Vida of Uruguayan football. The former Uruguayan footballer has a 45-year career and even plays as a central defender.
2. Kazuyoshi Miura – 55 years old (1986 to present)
Kazuyoshi is a Japanese professional football player. Today, at 55, Miura holds the record as the oldest professional football player in the world. He also holds the record for oldest goalscorer when he scored a goal in the J-League in 2017 at the age of 50. The former Japanese international played 89 times for the national team between 1990 and 2000. During his playing days with the Blue Samurais, he scored an incredible 55 goals. He also had a long and successful career playing for several clubs in different countries. The striker played for clubs such as Santos, Palmeiras, Genoa and Dinamo Zagreb. He currently plays as a striker for Japanese Football League club Suzuka Point Getters on loan from Yokohama FC.
3. Gianluigi Buffon – 44 years old (1995 – present)
The Italian legend is one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. Buffon is also currently one of the oldest active football players in the world. The 43-year-old is one of the most popular and respected players in world football. His successes with his former team, Italian club Juventus FC, cemented his reputation as one of the country's best goalkeepers. Gianluigi is also a world champion with Italy, following his heroics at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The big man from Carrara, Italy is still going strong while playing as captain and goalkeeper for Serie B club Parma.
4. Shunsuke Nakamura – 43 years old (1997 – present)
The former Celtic FC midfielder is another Japanese player who still plays on the pitch despite his age. The 43-year-old Yokohama FC player is currently in his fourth season with the J2 League team. He played 10 times for them in the J-League last season. Nakamura also played 98 times for the Japanese national team between 2000 and 2010. He is one of the best foreign players to have played in Scotland, having been a key figure for Celtic.
5. Bruno Alves – 40 years old (1999 – present)
The strong Portuguese defender began his career at FC Porto in 1999 and has been playing football ever since. Although he spent most of his professional career at Porto, where he won a total of nine titles, he also played in Russia for Zenit Saint Petersburg, in Italy for Cagliari and Parma, and in Turkey for Fenerbahçe. Bruno Alves also won the UEFA European Championship with Portugal in 2016. As of 2022, he currently plays as a central defender for Greek Super League club Apollon Smyrnis.
6. Jorge Molina – 40 years old (2001 – present)
The experienced Spanish footballer is currently playing at the highest level for Granada in the Spanish La Liga. At 40 years old, Molina is one of the oldest football players currently playing in 2022. Molina was a late bloomer and started his professional career at the age of 25. He played for several Spanish clubs but mainly represented Betis during his career.
7. Joaquín Sánchez – 40 years old (2000 – present)
The former Spanish international, who turned 40 a few weeks ago, is the oldest player still active in the Spanish La Liga. The Real Betis legend made around 551 appearances in the Spanish top flight, breaking the record for most appearances by an outfield player previously held by Real Madrid icon Raul Gonzales.
8. Roque Santa Cruz – 40 years (1997 – present)
Yes, you won't believe it, but former Manchester City and Paraguay striker Santa Cruz is still going strong. Despite having recently turned 40, the Olimpia Assunção striker is sharper than ever. The Paraguayan national team's all-time top scorer currently plays as a striker for Paraguayan club Club Libertad.
9. Diego Lopez – 40 years old (1999 – present)
Diego spent most of his career in Spain, playing for Real Madrid, Villareal, Sevilla and Espanyol. However, he also represented AC Milan in Italy. The Spanish goalkeeper is currently a starting player for newly promoted La Liga Espanyol in the 2024/22 season. Diego Lopez is still on the rise and shows no signs of slowing down.
10. Zlatan Ibrahimović – 40 years old (1999 – present)
The Swedish football legend shows no signs of aging as he currently plays as a striker for Serie A club AC Milan and the Swedish national team. Ibrahimović is undoubtedly one of the greatest strikers of all time and one of the most decorated football players in the world. He scored more than 500 career goals for club and country.
Honorable Mentions:
- Rabiu Ali – 40 years old (Pilares Kano)
- Jalal Hosseini – 40 years old (Persepolis).
- Pepe Reina – 39 years old
- Phil Jagielka – 39 years old
- Daniel Alves – 39 years old
The oldest football players in the Premier League in 2022?
- Willy Caballero – 40 years old
- Lee Grant – 39 years old
- Ben Foster – 39 years old
- Andy Lonergan – 38 years old
- Thiago Silva – 37 years old
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 37 years old.
