Top Ten Oldest Footballers Still Playing in 2025

In professional football, the majority of players step down (retire) around their mid-thirties.  As of 2025, some professional players are still active and lacing up their boots, still competing on a world-class level. Often, these players bring experience, wisdom, and amazing tactics despite their mature age. Let's uncover the oldest footballers still playing. 

These are the ten oldest professional players who stand out in 2025:

1. Kazuyoshi Miura (Japan, forward)

2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, forward)

3. Thiago Silva (Brazil, defender)

4. Luka Modric (Croatia, midfielder)

5. Santi Cazorla (Spain, midfielder)

6. Jose Fonte (Portugal, defender)

7. Roque Santa Cruz (Paraguay, forward)

8. Fabio (Brazil, goalkeeper) 

9. Sergio Ramos (Spain, defender)

10. Manuel Neuer (Germany, goalkeeper)

Kazuyoshi Miura, also known as King Kazu by fans, just turned 58 in 2025 this year, and he is still playing for Atletico Suzuka in Japan, which is in their fourth-tier league. He showed up during his 40th season, which makes him one of the oldest professional football players still playing. 

Career Highlights: 

• Played in four FIFA World Cups.

• Scored over 50 goals for Japan’s national team.

• Holds the record for the longest pro career in modern football.

Why is he important? He shows that discipline and deep love for the game keep a career standing longer than expected. This makes him one of the oldest footballers still playing in our current times.

Takeaway Tips: Some of the things to learn from him are staying tough mentally and actually loving the game; those things keep you playing longer.

Despite being 40, Ronaldo is still playing at a top level for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. He even signed a contract that will keep him playing above his 42nd date of birth. If Cristiano Ronaldo misses any World Cup Games, it shouldn’t be because of his age, but because of getting his first-ever red card

Career Highlights: 

• Over 850 career goals.

• 5-time Ballon d’Or winner 

• UEFA Champions League titles with Manchester United and Real Madrid. 

Why he matters: Despite being the greatest of all time, he still maintains a highly disciplined demeanour, far more than most players, as this makes him one of the oldest footballers still playing in 2025.

Takeaway Tips: Maintaining physical and mental condition with smart competition management is key when you approach advanced age.

The skilled football player who was born in 1984 is around 41 years old in 2025. Thiago Silva is still anchoring as a defender in Fluminense. He is, without a doubt, one of the oldest footballers still playing in 2025. Thiago Silva has continually been an inspiration to many young players out there, players like the Chelsea captain, Reece James. 

Career Highlights: 

• Captain of the Brazilian national team.

• Won Ligue 1 several times with PSG.

• Picked up a Champions League trophy with Chelsea.

Why he matters: This is a defender who relies on tactics, experience, and positioning rather than blistering pace, showing how experience allows a longer stand in a career. 

Takeaway tip: Players who do not focus only on the reading of games set by the coach but also on pure athleticism usually age more elegantly.

At 40, Luka Modric is still running the show for Real Madrid in 2025. He’s now their oldest player ever to step onto the field in a competitive match, and one of the oldest footballers still playing in 2025.

Career Highlights: 

• Captained Croatia to the World Cup final in 2018. 

• 2018 Ballon d’Or winner. 

• 5-time UEFA Champions League winner with Real Madrid. 

Why he matters: He’s got the technical know-how and the experience to back it up, and he proves that age doesn’t mean you have to step aside, even at the highest level.  

Takeaway tip: If you can tweak your style and handle different roles, you stay in the game a lot longer than most people think. 

Read Also: Luka Modric sets new Serie A record on AC Milan debut

Santi Cazorla, who is around 40, is still keeping his career with Real Oviedo in Spain.  His technical tactics and mastery of the game allow him to participate even with reduced physical qualities.His exceptional football skills stands him out, and makes him one of the oldest footballers still playing in 2025. 

Career Highlights: 

• He controlled the ball like it was glued to his feet, and those free kicks? Lethal.

• Won the UEFA European Championship with Spain in 2008 and 2012.

• Picked up several Premier League titles with Arsenal.

Why he matters: He’s got the kind of technical skills that make up for the things age takes away. Even when he couldn’t outrun the others anymore, his sharp instincts and quick thinking always gave him an edge.

Takeaway tip: Focus on sharpening your technique and playing to your strengths. That’s how you stay on top, even as your physical edge fades.

Jose Fonte, Portugal’s veteran defender, is still holding things down at center back for Casa Pia in Lisbon at 41, no less. He is in no doubt one of the oldest footballers still playing in 2025. Do check out few of his career highlights below.

Career Highlights: 

• He played in the Premier League for Southampton and West Ham.

• Recognised as one of the most consistent defenders of his generation.

• UEFA European Championship winner with Portugal in 2016.

Why he matters: He’s clever about it—he leads the younger guys, sees the game with all that experience under his belt.

Takeaway tip: Here’s the thing: if you want to keep your career going, watch how Fonte does it. Lean on your leadership; trust what you know. Being the mentor can matter just as much as being the fastest or strongest out there.

Roque Santa Cruz is a professional football player who was born in 1981. He is at the age of 44 in 2025 and still competing in his hometown for Club Olimpia in Paraguay. He is listed among one of the oldest footballers still playing in 2025 because of his exceptional football skills. 

Career Highlights: 

• Copa América winner.

• Over 100 international caps for Paraguay.

• Played in top European leagues, including the Premier League and the Bundesliga.

Why he matters: Still playing forward at 40, displaying that positioning and experience can stand in place to some extent. 

Takeaway tip: Even in challenging physical positioning, if you modify your game, you can still participate.

At 44, Fabio still played for Fluminense in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. That’s pretty wild for any footballer at his age. This is one of the reasons why he is highly considered as one of the oldest footballers still playing in 2025, because of his age and his exceptional skills.

Career Highlights: 

• Multiple Campeonato Brasileiro Série A titles with Cruzeiro.

• Veteran presence in Brazilian domestic football.

• Over 1,000 professional appearances.

Why he matters: Due to the nature of their positioning, goalkeepers often have longer career spans, less frequent sprints, better positioning, and match awareness. 

Takeaway tip: If you happen to be a keeper, try to maintain decision-making, fast reflexes, and awareness; you can maintain your career longer than outfield players.

Sergio Ramos, a Mexican club Monterrey defender who was born in 1986, is now 39 in 2025. He has achieved a record as the oldest player to score a goal at the Club World Cup at 39, and also one of the oldest footballers still playing in 2025.

Career Highlights: 

• Over 180 caps for Spain.

• FIFA World Cup winner with Spain in 2010.

• 4-time UEFA Champions League winner.

Why he matters: Coming from a high top-tier European club to a new league, this displays how a top player can adjust later in their career. 

Takeaway tip: If you want to prolong your career days, you need to be flexible and be able to adapt to another style. 

Manuel Neuer is a goalkeeper. At the age of 39 in 2025, Manuel Neuer is still playing for Bayern Munich and has also taken part in major competitions.

Career Highlights: 

• Won a FIFA World Cup in 2014.

• Identified globally for pioneering the sweeper-keeper role.

• Multiple Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich.

Why he matters: Being a professional in his position, he is still performing excellently despite his advanced age of 39. 

Takeaway tip: Mental sharpness, professional fitness, and being able to adjust or adapt to another style can help to maintain a longer career.