Unveiling the Oldest Footballer in History

Football players typically consider retirement in their 30s, but this individual defied norms by continuing to play well into his 70s.

By: Anna Ciao

04/15/2024 06:39

Determining the oldest footballer of all time requires considering those who have played in professional matches, rather than just recreational or amateur games. While it's not uncommon for players to start slowing down in their mid-30s, some exceptional athletes, like Cristiano Ronaldo, continue to excel well into their late 30s and beyond.

However, there have been outliers who have defied age expectations and continued playing into their 40s and even beyond. Identifying the oldest footballer of all time involves delving into the records to uncover these remarkable individuals who have extended their careers well beyond what is typically expected in the sport.

The oldest footballer ever

Player: Isaak Hayik (Ironi Or Yehuda)

Isaak Hayik holds the title of the oldest footballer ever, having played for Israeli professional side Ironi Or Yehuda at the age of 73. Hayik, an Israeli entrepreneur, author, illustrator, and footballer, achieved this remarkable feat in 2019, when he took to the field as a goalkeeper.

A Guinness Book of Records officiator was present to witness the match, and upon its conclusion, Hayik was officially recognized as the oldest professional football player in history.

While many may assume that Japanese footballing legend Kazuyoshi Miura, also known as 'King Kazu,' holds this title, it is Isaak Hayik who has earned the accredited recognition as the oldest professional footballer.

Nonetheless, King Kazu's longevity in the sport is indeed impressive. At the remarkable age of 55, he continues to play consistently and has recently signed for a new club in the Portuguese second division, further solidifying his status as one of football's enduring icons.

Kazuyoshi Miura's Career Stats
Club games	708
Club goals	193
Club assists	5
International caps	89
International goals	55

The oldest Premier League player ever

Player: John Burridge (Manchester City)

John Burridge holds the record as the oldest footballer to ever play in the Premier League. At the age of 43 years and five months, he appeared for Manchester City in a match against Queens Park Rangers, despite ending in a 3-2 defeat. Following this milestone, Burridge continued his football career, serving as an emergency goalkeeper for nine additional teams before officially retiring in 1997.

After retiring from playing, Burridge transitioned into coaching and currently, at the age of 72, he works as a goalkeeping consultant for the Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters. His enduring passion and involvement in football exemplify his dedication to the sport even beyond his playing days.

John Burridge's Career Stats
Games	281
Clean sheets	85
Teams played for	10

It's true that the majority of football players who continue playing past the age of 40 tend to be goalkeepers. This position is more conducive to an aging body since it involves less running compared to outfield positions. However, goalkeepers still need to maintain their mental acuity as their reflexes may decline with age. Nevertheless, their wealth of experience and tactical intelligence often compensate for any decrease in physical abilities, allowing them to continue performing at a high level despite their advancing years.

Top 10 oldest Premier League players ever
Player	Club	Position	Age	Date
John Burridge	Manchester City	Goalkeeper	43 years 126 days	14 May 1995
Alec Chamberlain	Watford	Goalkeeper	42 years 327 days	13 May 2007
Steve Ogrizovic	Coventry City	Goalkeeper	42 years 237 days	6 May 2000
Brad Friedel	Tottenham Hotspur	Goalkeeper	42 years 176 days	10 November 2013
Mark Schwarzer	Leicester City	Goalkeeper	42 years 159 days	14 March 2015
Neville Southall	Bradford City	Goalkeeper	41 years 178 days	12 March 2000
Kevin Poole	Bolton Wanderers	Goalkeeper	41 years 164 days	1 January 2005
Jens Lehmann	Arsenal	Goalkeeper	41 years 151 days	10 April 2011
Teddy Sheringham	West Ham United	Striker	40 years 272 days	30 December 2006
Edwin van der Sar	Manchester United	Goalkeeper	40 years 205 days	22 May 2011

Teddy Sheringham stands out among the sea of goalkeepers as a forward who aged like fine wine. The English striker holds the distinction of being the oldest goalscorer in Premier League history, and he remains the only player to have found the back of the net in his 40s. Sheringham achieved this remarkable feat while playing for West Ham United during the 2006/07 campaign, scoring in a match against Blackburn Rovers. His longevity and ability to continue scoring goals at an advanced age are a testament to his skill and adaptability as a footballer.

The oldest World Cup player ever

Player: Essam El-Hadary (Egypt)

Egypt's Essam El-Hadary holds the distinction of being the oldest player to ever participate in a FIFA World Cup tournament. At the age of 45 years and 161 days, El-Hadary set this record during the 2018 World Cup in Russia. He achieved this milestone when he started for Egypt in their final group-stage match against Saudi Arabia, making him the oldest player to feature for a nation in a World Cup finals.

Although the match didn't go as planned for Egypt, with Saudi Arabia securing a 2-1 victory with a 95th-minute goal, El-Hadary put in an impressive performance, making several fine saves throughout the game. Despite the outcome, El-Hadary's display demonstrated his remarkable skill and endurance, proving that age is no barrier to success on the football pitch.

Top 5 oldest World Cup players ever
Player	Country	Position	Age	Date
Essam El-Hadary	Egypt	Goalkeeper	45 years 161 days	25 June 2018
Faryd Mondragon	Colombia	Goalkeeper	43 years 3 days	24 June 2014
Roger Milla	Cameroon	Striker	42 years 39 days	12 June 1994
Pat Jennings	Northern Ireland	Goalkeeper	41 years old	12 June 1986

Goalkeepers often dominate the list of the oldest players to appear in a World Cup match, but like Teddy Sheringham, Roger Milla of Cameroon stands out among them. Milla is an iconic figure in African football, known for his remarkable achievements on the international stage. At the age of 38, Milla became the oldest player to score in the FIFA World Cup, a feat he accomplished during the 1990 tournament. Not only did he make history with his goal-scoring prowess, but he also played a crucial role in leading Cameroon to the quarter-finals of the competition that year. Milla's incredible performance at such an advanced age cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players in African football history.

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Written by: Anna Ciao

Anna Ciao is a sports content contributor at Betimate. Born and raised in a rural village in China, I have had a passion for football and various sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, from a young age. Along with diligent studies, I achieved an IELTS score of 8.0 in the English language, and I have become a content contributor specializing in sports, particularly football, as I am today. I hope that my articles are helpful to readers.