Top 10 Oldest Active Football Players in the World
Football demands intense physical and tactical skills, yet some players continue to defy age. Most retire in their thirties, but a few keep playing at a high level well beyond that. This list highlights ten of the oldest active footballers, from 39-year-old Manuel Neuer to 59-year-old Japanese legend Kazuyoshi Miura, showcasing their career spans and major achievements.
List of Oldest Active Football Players
- Rank: 10
- Player: Manuel Neuer
- Age: 39
- 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 Active Players
At 39, Manuel Neuer remains Bayern Munich's first-choice goalkeeper despite retiring from international duty in 2024. Rising from Schalke's youth system, he joined Bayern in 2011 and is seen as one of his generation’s best keepers. Neuer has appeared in over 983 matches combined for club and country, winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup, two UEFA Champions League titles, and 12 Bundesliga trophies.
Age 40, Croatian maestro Luka Modrić continues impressing with AC Milan after a legendary spell at Real Madrid. Known for midfield brilliance, he led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final and won the Ballon d'Or in 2018. Over his career, he has played 1,131 games, capturing six Champions League trophies and multiple league titles.
The 41-year-old Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. He’s the top international scorer ever with 143 goals and nearing 1000 career goals overall. Ronaldo has collected five Ballon d’Or awards, five Champions League titles, and helped Portugal win the 2016 European Championship and 2019 UEFA Nations League.
Santi Cazorla, now 41, leads Real Oviedo as captain. Renowned for his skill and dribbling, he overcame serious injuries to remain active. His career includes stints at Villarreal and Arsenal with over 850 appearances, plus two UEFA European Championships with Spain.
Brazilian defender Thiago Silva, 41, currently plays for Porto after returning from Fluminense. He boasts 113 caps for Brazil and a trophy cabinet featuring the Copa América, seven Ligue 1 titles, and a Champions League win during spells with PSG, Chelsea, and AC Milan.
Portuguese veteran José Fonte, aged 42, captains Casa Pia. A key figure in Portugal's Euro 2016 triumph, he also helped Lille secure Ligue 1 glory. Fonte has made over 800 professional appearances and developed into a reliable leader and defender.
At 44, Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz plays for Nacional. His extensive career includes Bayern Munich, where he lifted the Champions League in 2001. With more than 960 appearances and 112 international caps, he remains a potent presence upfront.
Goalkeeper Fábio, 45, guards the net for Fluminense. With 1303 career matches and over 470 clean sheets, mostly in Brazil, he holds records for longevity though never earned a Brazil cap due to stiff competition.
Bulgarian keeper Georgi Petkov, 50, plays for Slavia Sofia and ranks among the all-time top appearance makers in Bulgaria. Starting in 1996, he has played over 421 matches and won four Bulgarian championships plus five national cups.
Japan’s Kazuyoshi Miura, nicknamed King Kazu, stands as the oldest active player at 59. His career began in 1986 at Santos and spans clubs across Brazil, Italy, and Croatia. Miura holds records as the oldest professional scorer and remains active with Atletico Suzuka.
Oldest Players Ever to Play Football
- Kevin Poole - 41 years 164 days, England, Burton Albion
- Neville Southall - 41 years 178 days, Wales, Canvey Island
- Roger Milla - 42 years 39 days, Cameroon, Putra Samarinda
- Mark Schwarzer - 42 years 159 days, Australia/Germany, Leicester City
- Brad Friedel - 42 years 176 days, USA, Tottenham Hotspur
- Steve Ogrizovic - 42 years 237 days, England/Serbia, Coventry City
- Alec Chamberlain - 42 years 327 days, England, Watford
- Faryd Mondragon - 43 years 3 days, Colombia, Deportivo Cali
- John Burridge - England, Blyth Spartans (final club)
- Essam El-Hadary - 45 years 161 days, Egypt, Nogoom FC (oldest World Cup participant)
Common Questions
- Who is the oldest football player? Kazuyoshi Miura at 59 years old.
- How long has the longest career lasted? Kazuyoshi Miura’s professional career started in 1986 and continues today.
- Is Cristiano Ronaldo on the list? Yes, he is 41 and actively playing.
