Over the years football has developed in various aspects the pace of the game, large number of matches, national obligations and intense training.
This has led to a great expenditure of players, to fatigue of muscles, knees, joints which has led to many of the players hanging their boots at the age of 35.
As players age they tend to lose their speed and other key performance attributes which are key in modern football. However, this is not the case for some as they are still active past the age of 35.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The prolific Swedish striker whose age is 40 years, continues to play competitive football as he plays for AC Milan and recently has been called to play for Swiden in the World Cup qualifiers.
At his age Ibrahimović is still performing well having played a total of 13 games getting three goals and three assists for AC Milan in the ongoing Serie A 2021/2022 season.
Ibrahimovic has played for some of the biggest clubs in the world. He made his debut in 199 for Malmo the Sweden international has gone on to play for Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and AC Milan. He has been a prolific goalscorer at every club he has played for.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano, who is 36, is proving that age is no barrier by continuing to score goals at ease.
The Manchester United striker continues to amaze fans by his ability to continue with his record setting displays and scoring goals at his age.
He is now international football’s top scoring player of all time, breaking Ali Daei’s long standing record.
Having played 12 matches for United, Ronaldo has a tally of 9 goals and a single assist in all competitions.
Cristiano Ronaldo, as a professional footballer, has played for 4 clubs and for his national team. He started his career in Sporting Lisbon then signed for Manchester United in 2003. Then in 2009 he went for Real Madrid. Then in 2018 he left Madrid and went for Juventus and currently he is back at Manchester United.
Giorgio Chiellini
The Italian defender who is currently at Juventus is still a legend at the club and he is one of the greatest players to have ever played for Italy.
Chiellini made his professional debut for Livorno in 2000. He moved to Juventus in 2004, and has been at the club since then, barring a season-long loan move to Fiorentina.
The 37-year-old has been a major player for both club and country with his leadership skills and aggressive type of play.
Luca Modric
The 36-year-old Croatian midfielder who plays in Madrid for Spanish giants Real Madrid is defying odd as he still plays well and is a regular starter for the Galacticos.
Modric has won two La Liga and four Champions League titles with Real Madrid, and helped Croatia reach the final of the FIFA World Cup in 2018.
In 2018 Modric was the winner of the Ballon d'Or award. Modric won the award despite the presence of top players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Modric is expected to retire at Real Madrid as he has recently extended his contract with the club for another year.
Manuel Neuer
The German goalkeeper who is at Bayern Munich one of the game’s leading goalkeepers.
He helped Germany win the 2014 World Cup whereby for his performance, he received the Golden Glove award as the tournament’s best goalkeeper.
Neuer who has been Germanys' national team Number one since 2009 first made his debut with Schalke in 2006. After five seasons he moved on to Bayern where he has won the last two Bundesliga titles and the 2012-13 Champions League.
Other players who are still proving age is no limit are the likes of Thiago Silva 37 (Chelsea), Edin Džeko 35 (inter Milan), Fernando Luiz Roza ‘Fernandinho’ 36 (Manchester City), David Silva 35 (Real Sociedad) and Radamel Falcao 35 (Rayo Vallecano).