Cristiano Ronaldo recently turned 40, yet he continues to defy age, maintaining his pace, power, and goal-scoring prowess.
While his longevity is rare in football, there are a select few players who are even older and still competing at the highest levels. In this article, we take a look at eight legendary footballers who are older than Ronaldo but remain active professionals.
1. Thiago Silva (41 – Fluminense)
The former Chelsea defender is still going strong in Brazil, playing for Fluminense. Despite moving to a less physically demanding league, Silva faces tough competition, including stars like Neymar and Memphis Depay. Remarkably, he played in the English Premier League just last year, proving his enduring class.
2. Pepe Reina (43 – Como)
The Spanish goalkeeping legend has played for elite clubs like Barcelona, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Napoli, and AC Milan. A World Cup winner and three-time Premier League Golden Glove recipient, Reina remains active in Europe’s top five leagues, currently playing under former teammate Cesc Fàbregas at Como.
3. Craig Gordon (42 – Heart of Midlothian)
Scotland’s veteran goalkeeper continues to shine for Hearts, the club where his professional journey began 25 years ago. In 2025, at 42 years old, he remains a regular starter, keeping seven clean sheets this season across the Scottish Premiership and Europa Conference League.
4. Dante (42 – Nice)
The former Bayern Munich defender continues to lead Nice in France’s Ligue 1, captaining his side and maintaining a strong presence in one of Europe’s top leagues. His longevity is astonishing, particularly as Nice currently sits third in the Ligue 1 table.
5. Nenê (44 – Juventude)
An attacking midfielder and forward, Nenê is still playing top-flight football in Brazil’s Série A. Known for his time at PSG, Monaco, and West Ham, he remains a key player for Juventude despite nearing his mid-40s.
6. José Fonte (42 – Casa Pia)
A former teammate of Ronaldo at Sporting CP, Fonte has had a decorated career, including a Euro 2016 triumph with Portugal. After stints in China, France, and Portugal, he now captains Casa Pia in the Portuguese top flight.
7. Mathieu Valbuena (41 – Athen Kalithea)
The French attacking midfielder continues to impress in the Greek top flight, contributing to goals and playing regularly at 41. His versatility and technical ability have helped him stay competitive at a high level.
8. Brad Guzan (41 – Atlanta United)
The former Aston Villa and Middlesbrough goalkeeper has been with Atlanta United since 2017. In 2024, he played against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami four times, losing just once and even knocking them out of the MLS Cup playoffs. Despite his age, he remains Atlanta’s first-choice keeper.
These footballing legends continue to challenge the norms of age in professional football. Who’s your favorite veteran player still active in the game?
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