In a sport where most players hang up their boots in their mid-thirties, a rare group of footballers continue to defy time.
Through discipline, experience, and exceptional fitness, these veterans are still competing at a professional level—some even at the very top of the game.
From legendary figures like Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić to enduring stars such as Manuel Neuer, these players are proving that age is no longer a strict barrier in modern football.
According to Planet Football on Friday, here are the 11 football stars still going strong at 40 and beyond:
Goalkeeper
Manuel Neuer (40) – Bayern Munich captain still going strong
Defenders
Ashley Young (40) – Ipswich Town veteran full-back
Thiago Silva (41) –Porto FC Defensive leader
Raúl Albiol (40) – Former Real Madrid star now with Pisa in Italy
Dante (41) – Long-serving Nice captain
Midfielders
Luka Modrić (40) – Ballon d’Or winner with AC Milan
James Milner (40) – Premier League veteran with Brighton
Santi Cazorla (41) – Back in La Liga with Oviedo
Forwards
Lukas Podolski (40) – Still playing with Gornik Zabrze in Poland
Cristiano Ronaldo (41) – Chasing 1,000 career goals with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia
Edin Džeko (40) – Still active and currently playing with Schalke 04 in Germany
Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.
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