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Since the inaugural UEFA Champions League in 1992, a number of veterans have graced the competition and played at the highest level of the game.
To play in the elite European tournament past the age of 35 is an incredible achievement and only a few great players have managed to sustain such long careers at the highest level of the game. That being said, here is a look at 5 of the oldest players to play in the UEFAChampions League:
#5 David Weir
Former Scottish and Rangers center-back, David Weir is the fifth oldest player to play in the Champions League aged 40 years and 212 days, against Bursaspor in 2010. The game ended 1-1, as Miller's opener was canceled out with a goal from Sercan Yıldırım.
Weir began his stint with Falkirk in 1992 and spent four seasons with the club before moving to Heart of Midlothian in 1996, going on to spend three years there.
He then enjoyed an eight-year spell with Everton in the Premier League before joining Rangers in 2007 and stayed at the club for five years. Rangers did not advance to the next round of the tournament and it was the last time Weir appeared at the highest level of European football.
Notably, the defender won 3 Scottish Premier League titles, 2 Scottish Cups, and 3 Scottish League Cups during his time with Rangers.
#4 Alessandro Costacurta
Italian and AC Milan legendary defender, Alessandro Costacurta is the fourth oldest player to play in the UEFA Champions League, aged 40 years and 213 days.
Milan played against Greek side AEK Athens in 2006 and lost 1-0 away in a group stage fixture in 2006. However, both sides managed to progress to the next round of the tournament, with Milan topping the group.
Milan went on to win the Champions League but Costacurta didn't play in the team thereafter. The Italian began his career in 1986 and alongside Paolo Maldini, Wesley Barresi and Mauro Tassoti created one of the most formidable defenses in the world and won 5 European Cups with Milan in all.
The defender also won 7 Serie A titles and finished the 1994 World Cup with Italy as a runner-up. Costacurta was a great defender and spent his entire career with Milan, making over 650 appearances for the club across all competitions.
#3 Mark Schwarzer
Former Australian and Chelsea goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer is the third oldest player to play in the Champions League aged 41 years and 206 days, against Atletico Madrid in the second-leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final in 2014. Chelsea lost the semi-final 3-1 on aggregate as Atletico Madrid progressed to their first ever Champions League final
Diego Costa, Adrian and Arda Turan struck for the Spanish side as they overcame an early Fernando Torres opener for the English side at Stamford Bridge. The Australian made over 300 appearances for Middlesbrough in the Premier League and established himself as a reliable keeper.
He then joined Leicester for a year before retiring. The keeper also made 109 appearances for Australia during a 23-year career with the Socceroos.
#2 Olexandr Shovkovskiy
Former Ukrainian and Dynamo Kiev goalkeeper, Olexandr Shovkovskiy played over 450 times for his club during a 23-year career. He has made 92 appearances for his national side and is the third most capped player.
In his final Champions League appearance, aged 41 years and 255 days against Napoli in 2016, Kyiv lost 2 -1 to the Italians as the club finished at the bottom of the group. However, Shovkovskiy is the second oldest player to play in the Champions League, aged
The former Ukrainian keeper has won 14 Ukrainian Premier League titles, 10 Cups, and 6 Super Cups during his time with Kyiv. A tall, big goalkeeper with good shot-stopping ability, Shovkovskiy has played at the highest level in Europe's elite competition for numerous seasons.
#1 Marco Ballotta
Marco Ballotta played 25 seasons of professional football as a goalkeeper in Italy and was never once capped for his country. He spent a majority of his career with Lazio and in 2007 became the oldest player aged 43 years and 253 days, to play in UEFA Champions League fixture.
It was against Real Marid at the Santiago Bernabeu and Lazio was beaten by 3 goals to 1. Julio Baptista, Raul, and Robinho capped off a comfortable win for the home side as Goran Pandev netted a consolation goal late in the game for Lazio. The Italian club didn't progress from their group that season and was knocked out of the tournament.
Ballotta began his career with San Lazzaro in 1982, before joining Modena in 1984 and spending the next six seasons at the club. Spells with 6 different Serie A clubs followed including two spells at Lazio before he called time on his career in 2008.
