Top 10 Oldest Football Players

Football is a game that requires a lot of physical and tactical prowess; however, with age, the former usually disappears from a player, and eventually, that player is forced to take retirement. But, certain footballers in the world have defied that odd and are still featuring at the highest level. While speaking of ‘old’ players, the first name that generally comes to every reader’s mind is that of Cristiano Ronaldo, who, at 40, is still running high and winning trophies for the country. However, he is not the only one to shine at the sunset of his career. There are a few more candidates who deserve equal appreciation, and today we will look at those names. Here we will dive into the all-time list of the oldest football player in the world:

Oldest Football Players in the World – Top 10 Comprehensive Table

Top 10 Oldest Active Football Players

Who is the Oldest Football Player in the World?

Let’s take a look at some of the oldest football player who continue to defy age and expectations, still lacing up their boots and playing the sport they love. Some are playing in 2nd tier league while some are still playing at the highest level.

10. Manuel Neuer

At 39, Manuel Neuer is still the main custodian at Bayern Munich and the Germany national team. Rising from the FC Schalke youth setup, he joined the Bavarians back in 2011. Since then, he has been a mainstay at the club and is also considered a legend for them. He has represented the country in four Euros and four World Cups, winning the latter in 2014, the edition which was held in Brazil. He has won numerous accolades for his club, including 12 Bundesliga titles, two UEFA Champions League trophies, and two FIFA Club World Cups. He is currently playing in the latter, and has already earned a clean sheet against Auckland City, whom Bayern defeated 10-0 in their opening game. Neuer is one of the oldest football player currently active.

9. James Milner

Leeds-born midfielder James Milner is still shining bright at 39, playing for Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, under the tutelage of German manager Fabian Hurzeler, who himself is seven years younger than him. Starting his career in his hometown at Leeds United, Milner has represented clubs like Swindon Town, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Liverpool. In 2023, he joined the Seagulls on a free transfer and appeared four times in the Premier League. His contract expires next summer, which means he will get one more season in the English top flight.

8. Luka Modric

An icon for Croatian football, Luka Modric is ageing like fine wine. The 39-year-old midfielder who took his team to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final has played for clubs like Real Madrid, Dinamo Zagreb, and Tottenham Hotspur in the past and was also adjudged ‘The Best FIFA Men’s Player’ in 2018. In 2025, he bid adieu to Los Blancos and is expected to sign a fresh contract at Serie A club AC Milan. Luka Modric is the oldest football player on the Real Madrid team right now.

7. Edin Dzeko

Bosnian football icon Edin Dzeko was one of the most prolific strikers in his younger days when he represented clubs like Wolfsburg, Manchester City, AS Roma, and Inter. However, he is still in the groove and plays for Turkish Super Lig outfit Fenerbahce. Last season, he captained the Turkish side and scored 21 goals in 53 appearances for them. Notably, at 39, he is still featuring for the Bosnia national team, for whom he has scored 68 goals in 141 matches to date.

6. Cristiano Ronaldo

At 40, Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest international goal-scorer with 138 goals, and also the skipper of the Portuguese national team, with whom he recently won the UEFA Nations League for the second time. He also has a Euro Cup in his cabinet, apart from numerous club competitions like the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and FIFA Club World Cup, among others. He has also won the Ballon d’Or five times and is currently playing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in Asia.

5. Thiago Silva

Silva, who captained Brazil in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, is still an active footballer and is currently playing for Fluminense in the Brazilian Serie A, also captaining the side in the process. He has played for big clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, AC Milan, and Dinamo Moscow as well, and recently featured in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 for Fluminense.

4. Georgi Petkov

Petkov, who had 19 appearances for the Bulgarian national team, currently plays for the Bulgarian first-tier club Slavia Sofia. At 49, he still stands tall and is one of the oldest active footballers around the globe. In his career, he has played mostly in Bulgaria, representing clubs like Bankya, Levski Sofia, and his current employers. However, in 2011, he joined Cyprus-based club EN Paralimniou, his only foreign venture.

3. Kazuyoshi Miura

Also known as King Kazu, Kazuyoshi Miura is a legendary figure in Japanese football. During his younger days, he was a part of the national team for whom he netted 55 goals in 89 appearances. The 1992 Asian Footballer of the Year awardee currently plays for Atletico Suzuka, on loan from Yokohama FC, and is one of the oldest players active in the sport. He has also represented top clubs such as Genoa, Dinamo Zagreb, Sydney FC, Santos (Brazil), and Vissel Kobe, among others.

2. Mykola Lykhovydov

Lykhovydov is the world’s oldest professional footballer at 59. He plays for the club he founded in 2011, Real Farma, a team that features in the Ukrainian third tier. Despite his age, the 59-year-old plays as an attacking midfielder against players who are half his age or even less. Last season, he even scored two goals, one against Sambir-Nyva-2 Ternopil and the other in a fixture against SC Vilkhivtsi. The oldest football player in the Ukrainian third tier is Mykola Lykhovydov.

1. Robert Carmona

At 63, Uruguayan footballer Carmona is the oldest player currently featuring in the sport. His career started in 1976, but he was a playmaker back then. With age, he has now shifted to a centre-back role and plies his trade for Uruguayan fourth division side Nuevo Casabo, who have also chosen them as their captain. The most notable thing about him is that he has never taken a career break and has been playing continuously since his start in 1976. Carmona is the oldest playing football player right now.