In football, youth and energy are prized. A group of top athletes are defying expectations. Viewers are captivated by their ageless skill and eternal affection for the game. These veteran athletes have not only exceeded expectations. They have set a benchmark for perseverance in a sport that demands great mental and physical strength. Here is a list of the top 10 oldest soccer players who are still playing as of 2024 worldwide.
List of Top 10 Oldest Active Soccer Players
1. Robert Carmona (62)
One of Uruguay’s oldest and most active professional soccer players is Robert Carmona. He is currently 62 years old and still enjoys playing in the fourth division for Hacele Un Gol a la Vida of Uruguay. The Hacele allows seniors to continue playing professionally. Robert has contributed to more than 2,000 games and played for more than twenty teams in the lower leagues of Spain, Italy, the United States, and Canada. His journey is inspiring for the upcoming soccer players. At sixty-two, Robert is proving that the game has no age bar.
2. Kazuyoshi Miura (57)
Kazuyoshi Miura, popularly known as “King Kazu” to his fans, is a 57-year-old living legend within the domain of professional soccer. He signed a contract with Portuguese second-division side UD Oliveirense when he was 55 years of age. He has been a member of the club for over a year. Miura’s career started in the early 1980s and extends over multiple regions now. It includes stretches over Brazil, Japan, Italy, and Australia. He has represented Yokohama FC and Suzuka Point Getters. His record carries an incredible 55 goals in 89 games for the Japanese Football National Team, along with 709 lifetime attendances and 193 goals.
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3. Paul Bastock (54)
Paul Bastock comes third on the list as one of the few goalkeepers who is recognized as an English goalie. With an incredible career crossing more than thirty years, he is still playing at the age of 54. Most often acclaimed for his determination and commitment, Bastock’s dependable goal-scoring skill has earned him positions at numerous clubs in England. He now maintains the record for the greatest club appearances as a keeper. Although players stereotypically play goalie until they are extremely old, it is certainly an extraordinary feat to watch him play till the age of 54.
4. Georgi Petkov (48)
Georgi Petkov, the Bulgarian goalie started his soccer career in the late 1990’s and has since won several awards. Petkov is presently 48 years old and plays for Slavia Sofia in Bulgaria’s highest division. He has played in more than 400 games over his unbelievable career, including notable performances in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. He has earned 19 Bulgarian national team caps.
5. Dragan Jolovic (48)
Dragan Jolovic plays for FK Alfa Modrica in the second division of Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the current age of 48, Jolovic has made over 300 career appearances, presenting in Champions League qualifiers. He serves as a consistent presence in the core of the defense.
6. Nasiruddin Chowdhury (44)
Nasiruddin Chowdhury is a renowned center-back playing for Chittagong Abahani in the Bangladesh Premier League. The 44-year-old player has to his credit 5 appearances and scored one goal this season. Chowdhury has made 132 appearances and scored 14 goals over his entire career in Bangladesh. He continues to play a substantial role in his team’s defense today.
7. Ferreira Pinto (44)
Ferreira Pinto, a 44-year-old winger, is now playing for AC Ponte San Pietro in the fourth division of Serie D in Italy. He has made a name for himself as one of the greatest players in history with 686 games and places at elite teams like Atalanta and Lecce. He is acknowledged for his ongoing athleticism and on-field prowess, having made 23 appearances this season.
8. Rhys Griffiths (44)
The eminent player Rhys Griffiths is well-liked for his center-forward capabilities. He is a member of Penybont FC in the Welsh Cymru Premier League. He is 44 years old and has participated in 313 games thus far in his career, scoring 199 goals. Despite sitting out 11 games this season, he has yet to make an appearance, yet he is still a dynamic and noteworthy player on his team.
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9. Cesar Medina (44)
Cesar Medina is a 44-year-old striker for Panama’s Alianza FC. This season, he has made four appearances and contributed one goal to his victory. Because of his dedication to Alianza throughout his career, Medina has made 147 appearances and is an integral part of his squad.
10. Yasuhito Endo (43)
Another experienced Japanese footballer who plays midfield for Gamba Osaka in the J-League is Yasuhito Endo. At 43, Endo continues to hold the record for most caps for the Japanese national football team. Endo has made more than 150 appearances, and his contributions to Japanese football and his firm presence on the pitch are valued by soccer fans.
Other Integral Soccer Players on the List
While there are several key players who are termed legends in soccer, including Kazuyoshi Miura and Robert Karmona, there are also upcoming players joining the list. The most popular of them are Christiano Ronaldo who is currently 39 years old, Oliver Giroud who is 37 years old, Lionel Messi who is 37 years old and Luka Modrid who is also 39 years old. These players have crossed the 35-year age mark and have entered the oldest list category recently. However, there is a long way to go for these players as well in order to enter the list of the top 10 oldest active soccer players in the world.
