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Who Are Some Of The Oldest Footballer's In The World?
Blogs

Who Are Some Of The Oldest Footballer's In The World?

Who Are Some Of The Oldest Footballer's In The World?

Following Jamie Vardy’s announcement that he will be leaving Leicester City at the end of the season.

Speculation as to who the 38-year old striker will be suiting up for has already begun, as he looks to continue his career elsewhere. With that in mind, we’ve decided to take a look at some of the oldest active professional footballers in the world.

Pepe Reina

Pepe Reina has found himself in the middle of Serie A’s biggest fairytale stories this season.

At the age of 42-years old, the former Spain international has made ten appearances for Como, who currently sit 12th in the league table following promotion from Serie B last campaign. Reina has kept two clean sheets this campaign for Como, with a save percentage of 66.7%.

A professional career spanning 26 years, Reina made his debut for Barcelona C in 1999.

Most notably known for his nine year spell with Liverpool, the Spaniard kept 134 Premier League clean sheets for the Reds.

Reina has played for nine clubs during his career and represented Spain on 36 occasions.

Santi Carzola

Having started his professional career in 2003 with Villarreal, Santi Carzola has cemented himself as a fan-favourite amongst a host of clubs.

At 40-years old, Carzola currently operates as a midfielder for his boy-hood club Real Oviedo in the Spanish second tier, Segunda Division.

Carzola has registered two goals in 25 appearances for Oviedo this season, taking his tally to 140 goals in 738 appearances across a 22 year career.

Known for spells with the likes of Arsenal, Villarreal and Malaga, Carzola had previously been regarded as one of the best and most creative midfielders in European football.

He was also a regular for the Spanish national team, amassing a total of 81 appearances from 2008 to 2019. Carzola was also part of two European Championship winning sides with nation (2008 and 2012).

Dante

With 25 appearances for OGC Nice in Ligue 1 this season, old age hasn’t seem to have caught up with Dante.

The former Bayern Munich defender started his career with Juventude in the Brazilian Serie A 23 years ago.

Best known for his time in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, where he won nine trophies - including the UEFA Champions League.

Following his departure from Bayern Munich, Dante joined fellow Bundesliga side Wolfsburg in 2015/16 before signing for French outfit OGC Nice.

Now at the age of 40-years old, the former Brazil international has made 307 appearances for Nice.

Jose Fonte

With 12 clubs and 808 appearances under his belt, Jose Fonte has established himself as one of the best Portuguese defenders in recent history.

Having made his debut for Sporting B in 2002, Fonte’s career has taken many twists and turns throughout. From playing his trade in the third tier of English football with Southampton to captaining Lille to a Ligue 1 title.

At 41-years old the Portuguese defender is currently playing his football in the Primera Liga with Casa Pia, making 23 appearances in all competitions while captaining the side.

Retiring from international duty in 2022, Fonte registered 50 appearances for Portugal, scoring just once from 2014 to 2022.

During his time with the national team, Fonte won the UEFA European Championships in 2016 and the Nations League in 2018.

Roque Santa Cruz

Roque Santa Cruz began his career in 1997 when he made his debut for Paraguayan side Olimpia.

28 years later and the former Bayern Munich, Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City forward is making appearances at the professional level.

Now 43-years old, the Paraguayan striker is in the midst of his third season with Club Libertad in the country's top-flight.

Santa Cruz has scored 231 goals in 809 appearances through this career. Making 16 appearances during his most recent campaign.

Amazingly Santa Cruz was able to register 12 goals in 39 appearances in 2022, at the age of 41.

Miura Kazuyoshi

Miura Kazuyoshi has a career like no one else on this list. Born in 1967, the Japanese forward is currently 39 seasons deep into his professional career.

He holds the records for being the oldest active goalscorer in J-League history, the footballer with the world's second longest professional career and the second oldest professional footballer in the world (behind 62-year old Robert Carmona).

Kazuyoshi has been a professional footballer through five separate decades.

The 58-year old made his debut in 1986 with Brazilian side Santos and has since played for 16 different clubs - making a total of 802 appearances and scoring 218 goals.

Kazuyoshi had previously been a meme bet if the Japan national team from 1990 to 2000, scoring 55 goals in 89 appearances.

After 12 years in retirement at the international level, he would represent Japan’s futsal team in 2012, scoring once in six appearances.

Kazuyoshi currently plays for Japanese side Atletico Suzuka, on loan from J2 club Yokohama FC.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist
Reece Coughlan

Writer

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