- IOC
- Gangwon 2024
- Paris 2024
- Milano Cortina 2026
- LA 2028
- Brisbane 2032
- Museum
- Shop
- Olympic Refuge Foundation
- Olympic Games
- Athletes
- Sports
- News
- Olympic Channel
- Let's Move
From Adnan to Zlatan, discover the 10 oldest football players who are still active in professional leagues currently and have also played for their countries at the world's biggest tournaments.
In a world where Miura "King Kazu" Kazuyoshi is still going strong playing professional football in Europe aged 56, the question needs to be asked: is he the oldest men's professional footballer currently? (The answer: that depends on your definition of "professional", but probably yes.) Who are the oldest professional footballers in the world?
To answer those questions, Olympics.com has compiled a list of the top 10 oldest men's pro fooballers currently active who have also made their mark at the international level of football (or soccer if you're in the US), having played (not just being named in a squad) at a FIFA World Cup or main continental competition (UEFA EURO, African Cup of Nations, Asian Cup, Copa América, Gold Cup, OFC Nations Cup).
The following criteria were applied: players had to be 40 years old or older (as of 31 March 2023) and had to have made an appearance at a major senior tournament (the FIFA Confederations Cup and the under-23 Olympic Games football tournament were excluded). Additionally, players had to be playing for a professional men's team in a professional league, meaning semi-professional clubs and amateur leagues do not count. This therefore excludes players such as Robert Carmona, a 60-year-old (who has not played international football) playing in Uruguay's fourth division which is an amateur league.
Who are the oldest active football players right now?
All ages correct as of 31 March 2023.
1. Miura Kazuyoshi
- Age: 56
- National team: Japan
- Position: Forward
- Current club: Oliveirense (Liga Portugal 2), on loan from Yokohama FC (Japanese J1 League)
- Major international tournaments: 1992, 1996 AFC Asian Cup
- Major international titles: 1992 AFC Asian Cup
- 89 caps, 55 goals
"King Kazu" has played in Brazil, Japan, Italy, Croatia, Australia, and now Portugal during a career that has spanned 38 seasons as a professional. Miura shows no signs of slowing down, although he has (as of 31 March 2023) yet to make his debut for his new team Oliveirense. Internationally, Miura represented Japan 89 times, scoring 55 goals and winning the 1992 Asian Cup with the Samurai Blue.
2. Gianluigi Buffon
- Age: 45
- National team: Italy
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Current club: Parma (Italian Serie B)
- Major international tournaments: 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 FIFA World Cup; 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 UEFA European Championship
- Major international titles: 2006 FIFA World Cup
- 176 caps
Italy, Parma, and Juventus legend Buffon has played for only three clubs in his career, with a season spent at Paris Saint-Germain his only spell outside of his native country. Buffon broke into Parma's senior ranks in 1995 before moving to Juventus, for whom he made over 520 league appearances in two stints. He won 176 caps for Italy, winning the 2006 World Cup while conceding only two goals all tournament.
3. Endō Yasuhito
- Age: 43
- National team: Japan
- Position: Midfielder
- Current club: Júbilo Iwata (Japanese J2 League)
- Major international tournaments: 2006, 2010, 2014 FIFA World Cup; 2004, 2007, 2011, 2015 AFC Asian Cup
- Major international titles: 2004, 2011 AFC Asian Cup
Endō has spent his entire career in Japan, most notably with the J.League club Gamba Osaka for whom he appeared in over 600 league games in a span of 20 years. He won two Asian Cups with the Samurai Blue and also played at three World Cup tournaments. The 43-year-old scored 15 goals for the national team, the last of them in the 2015 Asian Cup.
4. Joaquín Sánchez
- Age: 41
- National team: Spain
- Position: Winger
- Current club: Real Betis (La Liga)
- Major international tournaments: 2002, 2006 FIFA World Cup; 2004 UEFA European Championship
- 51 caps, 4 goals
Joaquín is a Real Betis great, having come through the Andalusian club's youth system and spent most of his career with the same club. Even at age 41, Joaquín continues to perform impressively in Spain's top flight La Liga. During his career, he also had spells with Valencia, Málaga, and Italian side Fiorentina, and represented the Spanish Selección 51 times, scoring four international goals. Recently, he became the oldest goalscorer in UEFA Europa League history with Betis.
5. Roque Santa Cruz
- Age: 41
- National team: Paraguay
- Position: Striker
- Current club: Libertad (Paraguayan División Profesional)
- Major international tournaments: 2002, 2006, 2010 FIFA World Cup; 1999, 2007, 2011, 2015 Copa América
- 112 caps, 32 goals
German and English football fans will be familiar with Santa Cruz, who spent many years as a player in Europe for Bayern Munich, Blackburn Rovers, and Manchester City in addition to time in Spain, Mexico, and his native Paraguay. Santa Cruz, who scored 32 times in 112 appearances for his country, continues to play for Club Libertad in Paraguay's top-flight Professional Division at the age of 41 – and is one of three over-40s still active on that team (another of whom also makes this list further down; the third, goalkeeper Martín Silva, misses out by virtue of not having made a World Cup or Copa América appearance despite being named to three squads with Uruguay.)
6. Zlatan Ibrahimović
- Age: 41
- National team: Sweden
- Position: Striker
- Current club: AC Milan (Italian Serie A)
- Major international tournaments: 2002, 2006 FIFA World Cup; 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 UEFA European Championship
- 122 caps, 62 goals
Ibrahimović is one of the few men on this list still active for his national team. The 41-year-old won his 122nd cap for Sweden this year, and would probably have more had he not retired from international football between 2017 and 2020. The Swede, who in addition to having played in his home country has also appeared for clubs in Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, England, and the United States, holds a unique club record, being the only player to score 50 league goals for both Internazionale Milano and AC Milan.
7. Cristian Riveros
- Age: 40
- National team: Paraguay
- Position: Midfielder
- Current club: Libertad (Paraguayan División Profesional)
- Major international tournaments: 2006, 2010 FIFA World Cup; 2007, 2011 Copa América
- 101 caps, 16 goals
Riveros is a teammate of Santa Cruz's at Libertad, having also played alongside the latter internationally. The 40-year-old, part of FIFA's Century Club having won 101 caps for Paraguay, has also played in Mexico, England, Türkiye, and Brazil – and continues to ply his trade in the Professional Division in his home country.
8. Sayed Mohamed Adnan
- Age: 40
- National team: Bahrain
- Position: Defender
- Current club: Al Hidd (Bahraini Premier League)
- Major international tournaments: 2004, 2007 AFC Asian Cup
- 104 caps, 11 goals
Sayed Mohamed Adnan has enjoyed stellar status mostly in the Middle East, clocking up a 20-year career that has taken him from Bahrain to Qatar and Kuwait – but also Australia, where he helped Brisbane Roar finish second in the 2011/12 season. The defender continues to represent Al Hidd in Bahrain's Premier League.
9. Atiba Hutchinson
- Age: 40
- National team: Canada
- Position: Midfielder
- Current club: Besiktas (Turkish Süper Lig)
- Major international tournaments: 2022 FIFA World Cup; 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup
- 103 caps, 9 goals (record cap holder for Canada)
Canada's record cap holder, Atiba Hutchinson, has racked up 103 appearances wearing the Maple Leaf. The midfielder is still playing at the top level in Europe, having turned out for Turkish side Besiktas since 2013. Hutchinson has also appeared for clubs in Canada, Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
10. Pepe
- Age: 40
- National team: Portugal
- Position: Defender
- Current club: Porto (Portuguese Primeira Liga)
- Major international tournaments: 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 FIFA World Cup; 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 UEFA European Championship
- Major international titles: 2016 UEFA European Championship
- 133 caps, 8 goals
The last player on this list is another European regular. Pepe, who can count multiple major club titles for Porto and Real Madrid in his career, has also played for Marítimo and Besiktas, and remains part of Portugal's national team set-up even at 40. The Brazilian-born defender has won 133 caps for his adopted country, and was part of the side that won the UEFA EURO 2016.
Related content
More from
You may like
Now, let's dive into the fascinating world of veteran footballers. Miura Kazuyoshi, fondly known as "King Kazu," leads the pack at the age of 56. This Japanese forward boasts an impressive international career, having represented Japan 89 times and clinching the 1992 AFC Asian Cup.
Next up is the legendary Gianluigi Buffon, a 45-year-old goalkeeper hailing from Italy. Buffon, with 176 caps for Italy, secured the 2006 FIFA World Cup and has had a remarkable career with Parma, Juventus, and even a stint at Paris Saint-Germain.
Japan's Endō Yasuhito, a 43-year-old midfielder, has spent his entire career in Japan, notably with Gamba Osaka. Endō, with two AFC Asian Cup titles, has showcased his skills at three FIFA World Cup tournaments.
Joaquín Sánchez, a 41-year-old winger from Spain, continues to dazzle in La Liga with Real Betis. With 51 caps and 4 goals for Spain, Joaquín recently became the oldest goalscorer in UEFA Europa League history.
Roque Santa Cruz, a Paraguayan striker at 41, boasts experience from top European clubs like Bayern Munich and Manchester City. His 112 caps and 32 goals for Paraguay are a testament to his enduring talent.
The Swedish sensation Zlatan Ibrahimović, 41, stands out with 122 caps and 62 goals. Ibrahimović, currently playing for AC Milan, holds the unique record of scoring 50 league goals for both Internazionale Milano and AC Milan.
Cristian Riveros, a 40-year-old Paraguayan midfielder, shares the field with Santa Cruz at Libertad. With 101 caps for Paraguay, Riveros has played across various countries, including Mexico, England, Türkiye, and Brazil.
Sayed Mohamed Adnan, a 40-year-old Bahraini defender, brings two decades of experience to Al Hidd in Bahrain's Premier League. Adnan's journey has taken him from Bahrain to Qatar, Kuwait, and even Australia.
Atiba Hutchinson, a 40-year-old Canadian midfielder, holds the record for Canada's most capped player with 103 appearances. Currently representing Besiktas in the Turkish Süper Lig, Hutchinson's career spans clubs in Canada, Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
Closing the list is Pepe, a 40-year-old Portuguese defender, still contributing to Porto in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. With 133 caps and 8 goals for Portugal, Pepe adds experience and skill to both club and country.
As we celebrate the longevity of these football maestros, it's evident that age is just a number on the field. Whether it's King Kazu's journey across continents or Buffon's iconic World Cup victory, these players continue to defy expectations and inspire fans worldwide.
