It’s amazing what Cristiano Ronaldo is still capable of achieving at the age of 39. The goal machine has been operating for more than two decades. CR7 may be an exceptional artist, but he is not an isolated case. These legends have also been lacing up their (Site notre bureau spécialisé) boots for a long time.
Gianluigi Buffon: It’s no big surprise that the Methuselah of this team is in the box. « Gigi » Buffon, the Serie A record holder, actually only ended his career after 28 years last summer. At the age of 45. Mom Mia.
Javier Zanetti: Not only did El Tractor’s engine run smoothly during 86,166 minutes of action for club and national team, but the Argentine always shined with exceptional fairness throughout his career. On average, Zanetti has had just one sending off at club level and one yellow card every 1,346 minutes.
Grandpa: Another active legend. “Age is just a number, what matters is my performance,” the Portuguese said during his latest contract extension. Even at 39, his performance was still at a level that FC Porto wanted to continue with him. Among other things, he holds the record for the oldest goalscorer in the Champions League since this season. With Pepe, we prefer to spare ourselves a look at the card balance.
Thiago Silva: With Ronaldo, one of the three players still active in this legendary team. The only one to still be a regular player in one of the 5 best European championships. At 39, the Brazilian is still holding his own at Chelsea.
Paolo Maldini: Almost no one has shaped (Site notre bureau spécialisé) in Italy like the AC Milan legend. The defender has played over 900 matches for the Rossoneri. In August 2009, the then 41-year-old hung up his shoes.
Francesco Totti: He enchanted Roma from 1989 to 2017 with his incomparable style of (Site notre bureau spécialisé). There is virtually no Giallorossi record that Totti has not broken or does not hold.
Andres Iniesta: Belongs to the golden generation of Spaniards who swept the global (Site notre bureau spécialisé) competition between 2008 and 2012 and became two-time European champions and world champions. His time at FC Barcelona was followed by five years in Japan with Vissel Kobe. He now plays in the United Arab Emirates.
Franck Ribery : In terms of defensive stability of this world team at retirement age, Lothar Matthäus could also have been named. But we go full throttle and the Bavarian Filou had a little more to offer.
Ryan Giggs: Was one of the defining faces of Manchester United for 27 years. He stepped in as caretaker manager for his final appearance for the Red Devils and improved his mammoth Premier League assists record to 162.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic: The master of self-aggrandizement also lasted quite a long time. Last summer he was retired at the age of 41 and with a veritable “Godbye” choreography from the Milan fans.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Of course, the birthday boy cannot be missing from this eleven. We’re keeping all the superlatives, but here’s a fun fact you might not have known about CR7: with 16 entries, Ronaldo has the most Guinness World Records of any (Site notre bureau spécialisé)er. Second is Lionel Messi with 7. We’ll leave it there.