The advancements we have seen in sports science and nutrition over the past decade have completely changed the world of sport. Roger Federer and Serena Williams are 39, LeBron James is 36, Tom Brady is 43, Tiger Woods is 45 and yet all of them are still competing at the highest level in their respective sports. These improvements in player recovery and welfare have completely changed our perception of a conventional life-span of a football career too. Players are now fitter and stronger and can play at the highest level well into their late 30’s. With that in mind, we are going to take a look at who are the best players in the world today, aged 35 and over:
5. David Silva
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Like fine wine, David Silva seems to be getting better and better with age. After 10 wonderful years in the Premier League, Silva returned to Spain with Real Sociedad and has been one of the best midfielders in La Liga this season. While Silva has only been involved in five goals all season in the league, Sociedad are a much-improved side when he plays and have scored 24 goals and conceded only five times while David Silva has been on the pitch this season. While he may not have the legs or the speed anymore, Silva still has all the technical quality needed to play at the highest level.
4. Luka Modric
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At the age of 35, Luka Modric is still pulling the strings from midfield for Real Madrid this season. Modric may not be playing at the level that won him a Ballon d’Or a few years ago but there aren’t many better midfielders in the world today. The Croatian was integral to Madrid’s La Liga winning campaign last season and is in the top 10 for chances created and top 5 for passes into the penalty area for Real Madrid this season. Madrid has struggled to replace Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals since he left in 2018 but they may find it even more difficult to replace Modric once he eventually leaves the Spanish capital.
3. Thiago Silva
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After winning seven league titles and reaching a UCL final with PSG, Silva swapped Paris for London at the start of this season and has been as solid as a rock for Chelsea. It’s gone completely unnoticed that Thiago Silva has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water and has adapted to the most physically demanding league in the world at the age of 36 with ease. Silva is currently facing a spell on the side-lines due to an injury but has been integral to the Chelsea defence for both Tuchel and Lampard.
2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
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While his self-serving personality and political comments might be questionable, there is no doubting the supreme ability of Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the football pitch. After moving to La Galaxy in 2018, many thought his career was over as he looked to retire in the sunshine of Los Angeles. However, after two prolific years in the MLS, Ibrahimovic shocked the world as he returned to Europe with a vengeance. At age 39 he has galvanised this young AC Milan side and has scored 14 goals in the Serie A this season in only 14 games. It is crazy to think that Zlatan is having one of the best seasons of his career at this age and is one of the main reasons why AC Milan are currently 2nd in the Serie A and are set to return to the Champions League next season after a lengthy absence.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
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Cristiano Ronaldo might not be the best player in the world anymore, but he is still putting up ridiculous statistics for both Juventus and Portugal at his age. The 36-year-old is the leading scorer in Serie A this season with 23 goals in 23 games for the Old Lady. Ronaldo is still one of the most efficient strikers in world football and it won’t be a surprise to see him continue to dominate for a few more years for both club and country. Ronaldo may not be the player he once was and his Champions League output has dipped in recent seasons, but he is still performing at a level that is hitherto undreamt of for someone of his age.
Shivaan Shah