For many people, forty is when you can start taking things a little easier in life, but Cristiano Ronaldo’s professional football career is still strong.
The legendary Portuguese in front turns mature 40 years of age today, but still hit a goal for Al-Nassr at a similar pace to his time in Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus and does not seem to be hanging from his boots Soon soon.
Ronaldo, of course, is not the first player to still kick as soon as his thirty is over, with the five -year Ballon d’Or following several legendary veterans since years.
Here are the five best forty-plus players who have adorned the game.
Romario
Romario’s pursuit of 1,000 career targets received Braziliana and beyond the age of 40, achieving the achievement for Vasco de Gama in 2007.
While the achievement is somewhat disputed, mainly by Ronaldo who also chases 1,000, due to the fact that his number includes goals and friends, he is certainly not someone to be collected.
What is not disputed, however, is Romario’s excellent talents, which helped him win the World Cup in 1994 and be considered one of Brazil’s biggest players.
Initially retired in 2008 at the age of 42, returned for a while to play a game for America from Rio de Janeiro a year later, before the extraordinary mocking his boots and again just last year at the age of 58.
Buffon Gianluigi
Gianluigi Buffon is rightly regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time not only for his talent between his sticks but also his longevity.
The eccentric stopper began his career with Parma in 1995 before his retirement with the same club in 2023 aged 44, between achieving almost everything possible for the Club and the country.
Buffon joined Juventus for a worldwide registration fee for a goalkeeper in 2001, where he won 10 Turin Championship titles as well as the World Cup with Italy in 2006.
He added another championship title to his collection with Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 before returning to Juventus for two seasons and then Parma again.
Francesco Totti
There must be something in the water in Italy that helps players constantly defy the age process, with Francesco Totti undoubtedly one of the best to do so.
Again, it is not only his talents as a footballer or even his longevity that he remembers best, but his faith in the Roma, where he spent the entire 24 -year career and was therefore worshiped as a Roman gladiator.
This faith means that the trophies he won during his career, which include only one scudetto and two wins Coppa Italia, are relatively moderate compared to others but is respected by Roma fans in a way perhaps just one one It is a handful.
Also, a World Cup winner in 2006, Totti received a hero’s farewell when he closed his 2017 boots at the age of 40, eight months and one day.
Ryan giggs
In terms of English football, no one really comes close to Ryan Giggs in terms of time they played at the highest level.
Giggs debuted in Manchester United as a 17 -year -old in 1991 as part of the famous “Class 92”, but continued to overcome all his colleagues, gathering a stunning and record 963 shows for Red Devils.
Wales International played a key role in all 13 Premier League titles, as well as in two Champions League triumphs under Sir Alex Ferguson before retirement one year after Scotland’s legendary director in 2013.
His glittering career did not end before a short spell as a player-manager, while his 162-assist in the Premier League remains a record for the competition.
Paolo Maldini
Paolo Maldini was another Italian who proved to be age only a number that starred for AC Milan until the day he left at 41 in 2009.
A 24-year-old career, the center-back has played against all of them like Diego Maradona to Lionel Messi and Ronaldo-and along with names such as Franco Baresi, Ronaldinho and Kaka.
Maldini held the record for most Serie A games with 648 games on the Italian top flight before Buffon was broken. As for the outfield players, however, few come close.
The defender retired from international duty in 2002 without earning a great honor, but more than he contributed to his career in the club, as he won every trophy possible with Rossoneri.
