A ridiculously old XI of players we can’t believe are still playing in 2024

Former Arsenal, Barcelona and Real Madrid stars are among the ridiculously old ballers who are still going strong in 2024.

With the advances in sports science and nutrition, it’s becoming increasingly common for footballers to play into their late thirties. Even in some instances, players don’t call it quits until after they’ve turned 30.

We’ve taken a look across world football and have compiled a ridiculously old XI of players who are still playing in 2024. For context, the combined age of this XI is 452 years.

GK: Brad Guzan

Avoiding some of the obvious names like Pepe Reina and Claudio Bravo who are still going strong in Europe’s top five leagues, we’ve gone for a more niche entry in goal.

By the time this MLS season comes to its conclusion, Guzan will be 40 years old. Impressively, he’s still holding down a starting spot at Atlanta United, even in his twilight years.

The former Aston Villa star has racked up over 200 appearances for Atlanta United, which is more than any other player has managed in the club’s history. He’ll no doubt go down as a legend when he does decide to hang up the gloves.

RB: Jesus Navas

Seamlessly transitioning from a pacy winger into a dependable full-back, Navas has managed his career excellently.

The 38-year-old is the record appearance maker for Sevilla, having made over 680 appearances for the Spanish club. When he does eventually call it quits on his career, he’ll certainly go down in Sevilla folklore.

CB: Pepe

Undoubtedly the scariest man in football, you’ve got to hand it to Pepe for still going strong at 41. For club and country, he’s racked up over 870 appearances throughout his career and he doesn’t look like stopping any time soon.

During this season alone, he’s made 32 appearances for Porto and has played a key role in Sergio Conceicao’s side boasting the best defensive record in the league.

If anything, football could do with more characters like Pepe. We hope he doesn’t hang up his boots any time soon.

READ: 9 ballers we can’t believe played in the Turkish Super Lig: Ribery, Van Persie…

CB: Jose Fonte

There must be something in the water in Portugal as players like Fonte are still capable of cutting it at the top level, even after their 40th birthday.

Following five steady years with Lille, the 40-year-old returned to his native country in the summer to join Braga who currently sit fourth in the Liga Portugal.

LB: Cristian Ansaldi

The Argentine defender will turn 38 later this year, but he’s still got some life left in him yet. After spending seven years in the Serie A, Ansaldi took the decision to drop down to Serie B last season to join Parma.

With the club currently sitting top of Serie B, a return to the top flight could be on the cards for the 37-year-old next season.

CM: Felipe Melo

In September, Melo signed a one-year extension with Fluminense which is valid until the end of 2024. By the time that deal expires, the Brazilian will have turned 41 years old.

That sort of longevity can only be applauded. Having already won 23 trophies throughout his career so far, Melo is still as hungry as ever, even in his twilight years.

“I am still playing because I love the game, because I am disciplined and because I work hard,” Melo told reporters last year.

“I think I mirror the team. I am the role model. In football, different people can be role models, young players and more seasoned players. Being 40 years old means I am able to dismantle a game. My motivation is to bring home the bacon.”

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CM: Santi Cazorla

Watching Cazorla compilations will always bring a smile to our faces. He may no longer be at the peak of his powers, but we’re delighted that he’s still going at 39 years old.

After spending three years in Qatar, the former Arsenal playmaker returned to Europe in the summer to rejoin boyhood club Real Oviedo in the Spanish second division. Now that’s how you round off your career.

CM: Andres Iniesta

Since leaving Europe in 2018, Iniesta has kept himself out of the public eye. He enjoyed five years playing in Japan and now aged 39 is strutting his stuff in the UAE Pro League.

He isn’t the only superstar playing in the United Arab Emirates either.

READ: 7 forgotten ballers we can’t believe are playing in the UAE Pro League: Iniesta, Taarabt…

RW: Kazuyoshi Miura

Miura made his professional debut for Santos in 1986 and he’s still going to this day. By far the oldest professional footballer who is still active today, Miura is only three years away from celebrating his 60th birthday.

The Japanese forward has been on the books at Yokohama FC since 2005, although he’s currently on loan with Oliveirense who compete in the Portuguese second tier.

Miura hasn’t scored since 2022, but given he’s 57 years old, we’ll cut him some slack.

ST: Roque Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz just screams prime Barclays, doesn’t he? It’s been well over a decade since the Paraguay forward last played in England and yet he’s still going strong today in 2024.

The former Blackburn bagsman is set to turn 43 this summer and yet he’s still slotting them away for Libertad who compete in the top tier of Paraguay. That sort of longevity can only be applauded.

LW: Lukas Podolski

A fan favourite wherever he’s played, we’re pleased that the German forward is still going strong today. Now playing for Polish outfit Gornik Zabrze, the 38-year-old still has some magic left in his boots yet.

You’ll be pleased to know that even in his later years, he’s still scoring bangers.