World’s oldest soccer players still playing in 2022

• At the age of 60 years, Robert Carmona holds the record for the oldest active footballer,and he still plays official matches
• The soccer player takes his career seriously as he trains six to seven times even when under no contract 
• everyone thought Kazuyoshi was the oldest footballer until the Uruguayan was declared the oldest by Guinness World Records
• Shunsuke Nakamura was the first Japanese player to score in the Champions League and was nominated for the Ballon d’Or in 2007

Football, however enjoyable, irresistible, or financially beneficial it may be for players and fans alike, is an energy-intensive and demanding game.

Nonetheless, with the worldwide average retirement age for a football player set at around 35 years, most players typically struggle with retirement. So, who are the oldest active football players?

4. Gianluigi Buffon- 43 years

Gianluigi Buffon intends to continue playing until he is 46. Photo: Getty Images

This Italian goalkeeper can be described in one word: legend. Gianluigi is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, if not the greatest.

He’s made his name throughout major Italian clubs and developed himself as one of the world’s best goalkeepers, particularly at Juventus, where he spent 17 years.

He is currently at the Serie B side, playing as the goalkeeper for Parma.

3. Shunsuke Nakamura-44 years

Shunsuke Nakamura played for Celtic, Espanyol, and Reggina. Photo: Getty Images

Shunsuke Nakamura who was born June 24, 1978, is a Japanese professional footballer who currently plays a midfielder for Yokohama FC in the J2 League.

He is the only player to have received the J.League Most Valuable Player award twice, in 2000 and 2013. He is known for his vision, bending shots, touch, and free kicks; 

Nakamura began his professional career in 1997 with J1 League club Yokohama Marinos, note eventually making 338 league appearances over two spells totalling just over twelve seasons.

In between spells at Marinos, he spent time in Europe with Celtic, Espanyol, and Reggina.

He was the first Japanese player to score in the Champions League and was nominated for the Ballon d’Or in 2007. He was also named Scottish Player of the Year and SFWA Footballer of the Year.

2. Kazunyoshi Miura-55 years

55 year old Kazunyoshi Miura still plays. Photo: Getty Images

He was born two years before the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969. He began his professional football career in 1986but Japanese legend Miura is set to continue playing for at least another year after signing with a new club.

The 54-year-old left Yokohama FC after their relegation to the J2 League to join the splendidly named Suzuki Point Getters on loan.

Yasutoshi Miura, his older brother, coaches the club. Miura has spent the last 16 years of his career with Yokohama, where he has celebrated both his 40th and 50th birthdays.

Yokohama was eager to keep “King Kazu” for another year as they planned for life in the second tier after being relegated from the J1 League as they finished at the bottom of the table in 2021.

However, after appearing in just one minute of league action last season, the revered striker would prefer to join his brother’s team in the Japan Football League (fourth tier).

Miura may not have played much last year, but he did officially lengthen his record as the J1 League’s oldest-ever player when he made his only appearance of the season against Urawa Reds in March.

1. Robert Carmona- 60years

Robert Carmino is the oldest active player. Photo: Bolavip

Robert Carmona holds the record for the oldest active footballer. Until recently, everyone thought Kazuyoshi was the oldest footballer on the planet until the Uruguayan was declared the oldest by Guinness World Records

Carmona has always taken his career seriously, and such longevity is only possible because of his unwavering dedication to his craft. He claims he hasn’t gone out party to party since he was 16, but he’s pleased to stand out from the crowd.

The Uruguayan is now 60 years old, which means he is only older than all of his teammates and many of his coaches. However, retirement is not on the cliff edge, and he dislikes even discussing the possibility.

“When they ask me about retiring, it annoys me a bit. I say, what would I retire for?” explained Carmona.