'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With modern football's emphasis on athleticism and agility, we often see players plan their retirements around the age of 34. That's because of the pace of the modern game, which requires players to be at top fitness.
Nevertheless, there are a few players who have continued to perform at the top level despite being well past 30. Through years of experience, these players have evolved their playing styles as per the ever-changing nature of the game.
On that note, let's take a look at the five most valuable players over the age of 34.
#5 Keylor Navas | £10.3 million
Keylor Navas is one of the best goalkeepers of his generation. The Costa Rican has been around since 2011, having started out with Levante in La Liga.
In 2014, after an impressive World Cup campaign, Navas was signed by Real Madrid, where he went on to win a host of big trophies. He won the UEFA Champions League three times and also won the La Liga title in 2017.
The 34-year-old moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2019, where he has won one league title and finished runner-up in the Champions League. Navas has also won several individual accolades during the course of his trophy-laden career.
Currently valued at £10.3 million, it's fair to say that Navas is undoubtedly one of the finest players produced by Costa Rica. After playing a stellar role for his club last season, it looks likely that Navas has at least another year or so of top-level club-level football left in him.
#4 Luis Suarez | £13 million
Luis Suarez has had an illustrious career, winning six league titles and one UEFA Champions League honour. After plying his trade with Groningen in Eredivisie, Suarez spent four years with Ajax before moving to Liverpool in 2010.
The 34-year-old spent four fabulous seasons with Liverpool, putting in some of the best individual performances seen in the competition. Although his time with Liverpool was not laden with any major trophies, his performances captured the interest of Spanish heavyweights Barcelona, who signed Suarez in 2014.
His six years with Barcelona were truly outstanding, as Suarez won four league titles and the Champions League after forming a legendary attacking partnership with Neymar and Lionel Messi.
The summer of 2020 saw Suarez move to Atletico Madrid in a move that was surprised all and sundry. Despite being criticised as being past his best, Suarez silenced his naysayers by winning the 2020-21 La Liga title with Atletico, putting in some stunning individual performances.
Currently 34, Suarez certainly has a few years of top-level football left in him.
#3 Manuel Neuer | £15.5 million
Manuel Neuer has been a regular for Bayern Munich and Germany for the last decade and a half.
During an illustrious career for club and country, Neuer has won almost every major competition he has played in. Widely regarded as the best goalkeeper of his generation, he has won nine league titles, two Champions League titles and the FIFA World Cup during his career.
First starting out with Schalke, Neuer was signed by Bayern Munich in 2005. Since then, the 35-year-old has won the Bundesliga title nine times. Thanks to his brilliant individual performances, Neuer attracted the attention of various European clubs but remained loyal to the Bavarian giants.
Manuel Neuer has also participated in three FIFA World Cups, winning the competition with Die Mannschaft in 2014. His legacy with the German national team is truly impressive as well.
Still the starting goalkeeper for both Bayern Munich and Germany, Manuel Neuer is not ready to hang up his gloves just yet.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo | £38.7 million
Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably one of the greatest players of all time. A bonafide legend of the game, Ronaldo has been around since 2002. He has had an unparalleled career so far, winning league titles across three different countries.
The only player to win five UEFA Champions League titles, Ronaldo has numerous individual records to his name. His goalscoring numbers are also impressive and will likely remain unsurpassed for years to come.
Ronaldo was signed by Manchester United in 2003, where he spent six seasons before moving to European heavyweights Real Madrid on a world-record transfer. After spending nine years with Los Blancos, Ronaldo moved to Juventus in Italy for £86 million, making him the most expensive transfer over the age of 30.
Since his move to Italy in 2018, Ronaldo has won two league titles and shattered multiple individual records with Juventus. Famed for his physical prowess, Ronaldo is still in the prime of his fitness and has always indicated that retirement is nowhere in sight.
Currently valued at £38.7 million, Ronaldo certainly has a few more years under his belt. Although it remains unclear where Ronaldo will end his career, it goes without saying that he has had one of the most illustrious careers of all time.
#1 Lionel Messi | £68.8 million
Arguably the greatest player of all time, it is no surprise that Lionel Messi takes the top spot on our list of most valuable players over the age of 34.
A bonafide Barcelona legend, Messi has been hailed by fans and pundits alike as the best player ever to have graced a football pitch. Renowned for his brilliant close control and unbelievable dribbling prowess, Messi has inspired many budding players worldwide.
A Barcelona regular since 2004, Messi has spent 17 seasons with the Blaugrana. In this period, the 34-year-old has won an impressive ten La Liga titles, four UEFA Champions League titles and seven Copa del Rey trophies.
Individually, Messi has won a record six Ballon d'Or awards, the most of any player in history. Often branded a 'once in a millennium' player, Messi has amazed all and sundry consistently with his breathtaking exploits.
Although his future at Barcelona has been in doubt for a while, it looks like Messi could extend his contract and likely retire at Barcelona. Currently valued at £68.8 million, it looks increasingly likely that Messi will retire with Barcelona as one of the best players in the history of the game.
