Oldest Active Footballers in 2025
Retirement? That’s for regular people. While most footballers bow out before 35 and move on to commentary gigs or coaching badges, these legends are still clocking minutes in 2025. They’re not just training, they’re still eligible to be subbed in, nutmeg someone, and ruin a youngster’s day.
Here’s a look at the oldest active players in world football right now, ranked by age. Some of these names will surprise you. Others? You’ll just respect the madness.
1. Roque Santa Cruz – Age 43
Club: Libertad (Paraguay)
Position: Striker
Once tearing up the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, Santa Cruz now quietly plays in Paraguay’s top flight. His hair’s still slick, and his hold-up play still annoys defenders half his age.
2. Georgi Petkov – Age 48
Club: Slavia Sofia (Bulgaria)
Position: Goalkeeper
The eternal Bulgarian goalkeeper. Still registered with Slavia Sofia, Petkov has mastered the art of low-risk goalkeeping while wearing the oldest gloves in the league.
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3. Jorge Campos – Age 58
Club: México FC (Spain, Tercera RFEF)
Position: Goalkeeper or Forward
Retired in 2004. Came back in 2025. Because that’s what Jorge Campos does. Whether he plays in goal or up front remains to be seen. But one thing’s certain: the kits will be loud and the vibes will be chaotic.
4. Kazuyoshi Miura – Age 58
Club: Oliveirense (Portugal, on loan from Yokohama FC)
Position: Forward
King Kazu is a walking football fossil, in the best way possible. Started in 1986, still making cameo appearances in Portugal. The internet didn’t exist when he debuted, but he’s outlasted entire generations of footballers.
5. Mykola Lykhovydov – Age 59
Club: FC Real Pharma Odesa (Ukraine)
Position: Midfielder
President, player, and living relic. Lykhovydov has been suiting up for Real Pharma Odesa while also helping run the show. Peak Ukrainian multitasking.
6. Robert Carmona – Age 62
Club: Nuevo Casabó (Uruguay)
Position: Centre-back
This one is in the Guinness World Records. Over 2,000 matches played across five decades. At 62, he’s still tackling players young enough to be his grandkids. The man is a living football glitch.
Age Is Just Another Stat
These players are more than just anomalies. They’re proof that love for the game can outlast sore knees, media noise, and retirement papers. They’ve stretched careers across eras, rule changes, new boots, and at least four generations of FIFA games.
So the next time someone says 33 is old for a striker, send them this list. These players are rewriting what it means to grow old in football. No fuss, no fairytales, just minutes on the pitch and a whole lot of history.
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