It is every footballer's dream to play professionally for a long time.
Many factors like age, injury or form affect footballers' careers. A footballer's professional career mostly begins at the age of 18 with many bowing out at the age of 35.
However, there are those who surpass the age of 35 and play at the top level.
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Kazuyoshi Miura
Kazuyoshi Miura is currently the oldest active professional footballer in the world.
The 56-year-old is currently playing for Suzuki Point Getters on loan, a team coached by his brother.
In his long career, Miura led Japan to their first FIFA World Cup in 1998 after scoring 14 goals during the qualifiers.
Essam El Hadary
Egypt's legendary goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, hung his boots at the age of 47.
El Hadary at the age of 45 became the oldest player in history to feature at the World Cup.
The Egyptian international has had quite a successful career having won the AFCON title three times in a row with Egypt in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
Gianluigi Buffon
Considered one of the best goalkeepers ever, Gianluigi Buffon is still playing at the age of 44.
Buffon made an emotional return to his boyhood side Parma after signing for the Serie B side in 2021.
The Italian International has won a lot of titles in his career including the World Cup and the UEFA Cup among many.
Vitorino Hilton
Brazilian defender Vitorino Hilton's professional career has lasted close to a quarter of a century.
The defender played for French side Montpellier for ten years between 2011 and 2021 and has also featured for SC Bastia, Lens, Marseille and Montpellier.
He retired in 2021 at the age of 43 years.
Rivaldo Vítor Borba Ferreira
Rivaldo’s final competitive appearance of his career was for Brazilian club Mogi Mirim at the age of 43 years.
The legendary Brazilian was lucky that in his final match he played alongside his son Rivaldinho.
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Zé Roberto
Zé Roberto hung his boots at the age of 43 as he played for Palmeiras in 2017.
Roberto was a utility player who could play both as a wingback and a midfielder.
He won various titles including the Spanish League and the UEFA Champions League.
Aleksandar Duric
Aleksandar Duric chose to retire from professional football at the age of 44 years after four years at Tampines Rovers.
Duric fled his country Bosnia due to war and ended up being one of the most prolific goal scorers in the history of Singaporean football.
Stanley Matthews
One of the greatest footballers to ever wear the England shirt, Stanley Mathews retired at the age of 50.
Matthews played his final competitive league game for Stoke City, where Stoke won 3-1 over Fulham.
Willy Caballero
Former Chelsea and Manchester City goalkeeper, Willy Caballero is currently playing for English Premier League side Southampton.
At the age of 40, the Argentinian International became the oldest player to compete in the Premier League in a match against Arsenal in the 2021/2022 season.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic continues to play in top form despite being 40 years old.
The Swede International is currently playing for AC Milan making 15 Serie A appearances netting eight goals and providing two assists.
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