Old is Gold: Best 30+ year old Football Players

Every club has its share of experienced thirty plus year olds in their squads. Not only does it lend experience and balance to the side, but also allows the youngsters, who are the future of the club, to be nurtured by them. However, this age group of 30+ is the time a football player’s form gives in, he is past his prime and injuries become best friends and recovering from them is hard. Yet, the world is full of 30 old years old men who have redefined and set new standards at world football. Here is a list of such players.

Goalkeepers:

Iker Casillas: With the Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010 under his belt, along with La Liga titles, he is virtually impossible to get past. He indeed is the god between the posts and is having a great Euro 2012. His saves are awesome and so it’s no wonder that he has been the best for more than three years.

Gianluigi Buffon: He may be 34, but he has a lot left in his tank. His exceptional shot stopping skills have helped a rejuvenated Juventus side to win Serie A, and now he is showing his skills at the Euro this year. He may not be the god he was in Cannavaro’s Italy, but he still has enough to stop most shots on target.

Tim Howard: The American has been a wonderful shot-stopper over the years and has been serving well at Goodison Park. He was rated 10th best in the world by IFFHS in 2010 and he recently even scored a goal from his area against Fulham last season.

Roman Weidenfeller: Since 2002-2003, he has been with Borussia Dortmund and under Klopp’s guidance, he has helped the side to consecutive league victories. What’s more, he is constantly improving his performances too.

Defenders:

Ashley Cole: He is probably the best ‘left-footed’ left back the world has witnessed in recent times. Even though Baines is all set to take his place in the squad, he is not giving up easily. Having added a UEFA Champions League medal to his collection, he stood out in a relatively average English side this Euro.

Ricardo Carvalho: He has been Chelsea’s best during Mourinho’s rein and went on to win the premier league with him. When Mourinho joined Real Madrid, he bought Carvalho from Chelsea, just like he had brought him from Porto. Even though he is injury plagued, he still is one of the best.

Carles Puyol: This curly haired defender is a fan favourite. Since a career threatening injury, he has come out well and he still is the heart and soul of Barcelona and Spain’s defense. And even at this age, he still can take on strikers very well.

John Terry: Even though his career has been plagued by several scandals, he is the best English Center Back of our times and has redefined the role of a central defender. His slide tackles and his penchant for taking away the ball from the strikers makes him very important for his team.

Nemanja Vidic: He is United’s rock at the back. The ‘Serbinator’ is, in public opinion, the best defender in the world. He lost out most of his season due to injury but the two times winner of Player of the season award is an absolute no nonsense defender.

Midfielders:

Xavi: Perhaps the most talented of this list. No words can define him. He has 600+ appearances for Barcelona. It takes the entire opposition defense to keep control on him. He sets standards for the youngsters with his defense splitting passes and long range goals.

Ryan Giggs: Since joining United’s Academy, the grand old man of Old Trafford has seen almost three generations at United. At 38, he not only plays a full match but he has good pace and dribbling skills to keep defenders in his pocket. A legend and inspiration to all.

Javier Zanetti: One of the finest defensive midfielders in business. He is actually the Serie A version of Ryan Giggs. He is a regular starter for Inter Millan and is still capable of making hearts skip a beat with his skills and finishes.

Giorgos Karagounis: He has had stints with Inter Milan and Benfica and is remembered by his fans for his stunning free-kicks and one-on-one finishes. Back with Panathinaikos now, who can forget the way he foxed Malafeev to take Greece past the group stage and win Euro 04.

Michael Carrick: He is the best passer in the English league and hardly misplaces any of them. He is United’s backbone and has also played as center back during times of crisis. He is a stunning maestro in the midfield and is just too good to deal with.

Dirk Kuyt: He is a workaholic through and through. He has a reputation of scoring crucial goals in big matches and has, too often, been the savior of the team. Liverpool have indeed made a mistake by letting him leave to Fenerbahce as he is just too good a winger.

Andrea Pirlo: 33 is just another number for the Azzurri masterclass. Since moving from Milan to Juventus, he has shown that age is not going to stop him from doing what he does best. Besides, he is in stellar form and is having a wonderful Euro.

Xabi Alonso: He redefines the deep midfield playmaking role. He possesses a gifted technique and is adept at both attacking and defending. He is a lethal weapon in the middle of the park, ready to explode when needed.

Mark Van Bommel: He may have called time on his international duties, but he is the best ‘midfield destroyer’ alive. He is a complete midfield package and he makes his mark on every game that he plays.

Steven Gerrard: The loyal Liverpool man has played with all energy and vigor at Anfield and his battery never seems to run out. He is a superb leader and deserves the armband at both the national and club level. He is England’s answer to Spain’s Xavi. He is indeed a legend respected by all in the field of football.

Frank Lampard: Give this guy a dead ball in and around 30-40 yards circle, and boom! The ball is in the net. He sadly missed the Euros this year yet is ever energetic and stabilizes the midfield by dictating the pace and flow of the game.

FORWARDS:

Dimitris Salpingidis: He was the pivot in PAOK’s campaign this season in UEFA Champions League. He may be short in height, but he is exceptionally quick and absolutely lethal in counter-attacks. He has been stunning in the Euro and Wolves, Wigan, Stoke City are looking for his signature.

Didier Drogba: This goal machine from Ivory Coast is indeed a fox in the box. Having won his Champions League medal this season, he is moving away from the premier league, having terrorised all the defenders. He still remains a lethal weapon as a striker.

Dimitar Berbatov: Forced to the bench with emerging stars at Manchester United, he has explosive firepower and great skills in his feet. He is a clinical striker and still has quite a few playing years with him.

Samuel Eto’o: He is still the most feared striker in the world. The Cameroon star has always created fear in the hearts of all opposition players. He is already making his mark in Anzi Makhachakla and he still retains the hunger for goals.

David Villa: Blazing fast, clinical, fox-in-the-box, dribbler – these are words which define him. Purchased from Valencia, he scored 23 goals and 9 assists in his first season with Barcelona. He may have missed a crucial Euro this year, but there is no denying the fact that he is one of the most valued striker in the world.

Antonio Di Natale: Udinese and Italy’s pride, he is the best super-sub in the world and finishes off in some style. From long range efforts to classy set pieces, he is indeed a class above all.

Andriy Shevchenko: 2004 Ballon d’Or winner and third highest goal-scorer of all time in Champions League (58). The former AC Milan and Chelsea legend has shown that age is no bar with his clinical performance in the EURO 2012. He proves the old adage, ‘Form is temporary but class is permanent’.

Do let your favorites known in the comments.