Some of the Best Football Players Over 30
There are professional football players in the world who are over 30, but who are the best? That’s one question that keeps fans all around the world divided. Many football players retire after age 30 as their performance and speed declines with age. However, these players have not let their age defy them, and some would say they’re only reaching their peak now!
Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Karim Mahrez plays in the Premier League as a winger for Manchester City , and is the captain of the Algeria national team. Aged 31, Mahrez has been regarded globally as one of the best wingers in football and is famous for his special move dubbed the “La spéciale”. Here, Mahrez fakes a shot with his left foot, then flicks the ball behind the right foot to dribble past his opponent. Earlier this year, Manchester City announced Mahrez had signed a two-year extension to his contract until 2025.
Thomas Müller
Thomas Müller is a German professional footballer who plays for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich, and the Germany national team. Since the footballer’s debut in 2008, Müller has been praised for his positioning, teamwork, and stamina, whilst he has consistently scored and created goal opportunities. Aged 31, Müller has played in various World Cups over the years, as well as the Euros. Most recently, he was selected for the final squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar with his ‘all-rounder’ playing style and the ability to play in various offensive positions.
Kyle Walker
Aged 32, Kyle Walker is an English professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Manchester City in the Premier League, and the England national team. Walker first made his debut aged 18-years-old at Sheffield United before landing a life-changing deal worth £45 million at Manchester City in 2017. Throughout his career, Walker has won four Premier League titles, four EFL Cup trophies, and one FA Cup during his time at Manchester City.
Virgil Van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk is known as one of the best defenders in the world. Aged 31, Van Dijk was born in the Netherlands and currently plays as a centre-back for Premier League club, Liverpool, and the Netherlands national team. Virgil is not only physically strong, but he is also gifted with agility and pace. Additionally, Van Dijk is the only defender to have won UEFA Men’s Player of the Year – a great achievement that many professional footballers will only dream of acquiring during their career.
Robert Firmino
Born and raised in Brazil, 31-year-old Robert Firmino plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for Premier League club, Liverpool, and the Brazil national team. Firmino’s career took off in 2009 after spending four and a half seasons at Hoffenheim. Firmino made his debut for Brazil in 2014 and over the years has been praised for his mobility, intelligent movement, and ability to make attacking runs off the ball.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is considered one of the greatest footballers in the world and plays as a forward for Paris Saint-Germain in the Ligue 1 club and also captains the recently crowned world champions – Argentina national team. Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Messi relocated to Spain at the young age of 13 to join Barcelona where he made his debut in 2004 aged 17. Whilst many footballers are tall in stature, Messi is not – however, his short stature gives him greater agility, allowing him to change direction more quickly and evade opposing tackles.
Messi’s list of achievements throughout his career are second to none. Most recently, the 35-year-old captained his country to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup, for which he won the Golden Ball for a record second time, and broke the record for most appearances in World Cup tournaments with 26 matches played. Messi has also surpassed $1 billion in career earnings – making him only the second footballer in the world to ever achieve this. Getting to witness some of Messi’s greatest moments live, like his recent goals in the nail-biting final of the world cup, must feel like hitting it big at an online live casino. One can only imagine the excitement felt. This excitement he manages to still produce to this day is the exact reason why Messi has remained relevant for so long.
Conclusion
Whilst many players retire after the age of 30, these professional players have proved time and time again that age is simply a number. From Kyle Walker to Lionel Messi, these footballers are regarded as some of the best players over 30 and it’s not hard to see why. Are you an aspiring footballer or just an avid watcher of the game? Who do you look up to?