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As football fans, we saw some of the most important football players in the history of the sport. From the likes of Marco van Basten to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the sport has given the most inspirational personalities, that we call our role models.
The game surely does not have any particular age limit, as a player can play for as long as his body allows him to continue. Some of these decorated veterans have given us a true glimpse of how beautiful the game of football can actually be. We must consider ourselves lucky enough to have experienced their abilities as football players.
We have selected 11 of the most decorated footballers, whose age is more than 35 but continue to perform at the top level. By putting them all in one team, the Veteran's XI can surely be a competitive prowess in world football.
Formation: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper and Captain - Gianluigi Buffon - Paris Saint Germain
The 40-year-old is considered by many as one of the greatest glove-bearers of all time. Despite his age, Buffon continues to outshine the opposition by not letting them score from any particular range. A quick, agile and alert goalkeeper, Buffon has earned Juventus more credentials than any other player in its history.
With a FIFA World Cup, multiple domestic titles and a countless number of individual honours, Buffon is a personification of the fact that age is just a mere number.
Center-back - Lucio - Brasiliense
After the retirement of Kaka, Lucio stands the only active member from the world-cup winning squad of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He is often considered as one of the greatest centre-backs of the modern era and is known widely for his contribution to the 2010 UEFA Champions League finals, where Inter Milan won the tournament.
Lucio's ability to intercept the opposition and read the game in a manner that most footballers cannot even think of has made him a mentor for most of the players at Brasiliense, where he continues to play even at the age of 40.
Centre-back - Andrea Barzagli - Juventus
Most people consider retirement after the age of 35, but the 6' 2'' Juventus defender has no plans of retiring any time soon. The fact that he still is one of the most important defenders for Juventus keeps his spirit alive. At the age of 37, Barzagli is one of the few remaining players from the 2006 world-cup winning Italy squad.
Regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, the Juventus defender is known for his strong, commanding nature on the pitch. With an extremely intimidating stature, Barzagli is surely known to strike fear in the hearts of the opposition.
Right back - Dani Alves - Paris Saint Germain
Regarded as one of the greatest right-backs in the history of the sport, Dani Alves is known for his much-decorated tenure with the Spanish giants Barcelona. By winning a treble in his very first season back in 2009, Alves sealed himself as being one of the most important players in the history of the Blaugrana.
An extremely skilled right-back, with the ability to develop some of the most technical plays, Alves is definitely our first choice right-back. At the age of 35, the Brazilian continues to perform for Paris Saint Germain and has been an extremely important player for the Brazilian national football team for the last decade or so.
Left Back - Ashley Cole - LA Galaxy
There is no doubt that Cole belongs to the golden generation of Chelsea football players, after all, winning a Champions League title back in 2012 for the first time was something that Cole always dreamt of.
Despite being a natural left-back, Cole always had an aggressive approach towards the game, as his furious runs from the left-flank made him one of the most feared defenders in the world.
Such was the resilience of this Englishmen, that Cristiano Ronaldo labelled him as the 'most difficult defender that he has ever faced'. All these traits have made him our first-choice left back. Even at the mere age of 37, Cole continues to deliver outstanding performances for LA Galaxy.
Defensive Midfielder - Daniele De Rossi - AS Roma
Rossi is labelled as being one of the most complete midfielders of his particular generation. The fact that he can read the game in any kind of situation makes him not just an important footballer for Roma, but also for the Italian National team.
One of the most capped Italian footballers, Rossi has the ability to play both as a central and a defensive midfielder.
His role in the Veteran's XI will be more defensive, as a team is truly incomplete without a defensive midfielder. At the age of 35, he is one of the very few active players from the 2006 Italian World Cup squad.
Midfielder - Xavi Hernandez - Al Sadd
Regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, Xavi is one of the football players who has it all in his pockets. A world-cup, multiple La Liga titles, Copa del Rey titles, Club World-cups and the UEFA Champions League title.
The Spaniard has nothing more prestigious left to win. His mind as a football player has earned him more titles than any other midfielder of his generation. At the age of 38, Xavi continues to play in the middle-east.
Forming a duo with his fellow midfielder Andres Iniesta, the two have broken more records than most other football players on this planet. His skill set, ability to play in any attacking position and consistency is what earns him a spot in the Veteran's XI.
Midfielder - Yaya Toure - Olympiacos
A natural box to box central-midfielder, Toure is regarded as one of the most important players in the history of Manchester City, as he has won 3 Premier League titles for the Sky Blues. Forming an extremely important partnership with his midfield partner David Silva, Toure was surely a 'tank' for the opposition to handle.
Regarded as one of the greatest African players of all times, he is known for his creativity, strength and his extremely composed style of play, often drawing comparisons to the likes of Xavi Hernandez and Frank Rijkaard. At the age of 35, Toure now plays for Olympiacos in the Superleague Greece.
Left-forward - Didier Drogba - Phoenix Rising
The Ivorian has had a splendid career with Chelsea, as the 'late bloomer' won the club its very first UEFA Champions League title in 2012. One of the most iconic and prolific strikers of the modern era, Drogba has the ability to develop some of the most technical attacking opportunities inside the box.
The Ivory Coast star is also a set-piece specialist and will surely be taking the free kicks for this particular team along with Xavi Hernandez.
Center Forward - Zlatan Ibrahimovic - LA Galaxy
The Swedish striker recently completed his 500th career goal while playing for LA Galaxy, and is often considered as one of the greatest strikers of the modern era. Zlatan, at the age of 37 does not have any plans for retiring, as he keeps getting better by every single match that he has to play.
His position as a centre-forward can always vary, as he does hold the ability to change his position on either side of the attacking options.
Right Forward - Franck Ribery - FC Bayern
One of the greatest French forwards of all time, Ribery is surely a winger who has more skills than any other player of his age. Quick, skilful, creative and everything else that a complete footballer should be, Ribery has been one of the most important players in the history of Bayern.
Forming an alliance with his fellow teammate Arjen Robben, the Frenchmen was able to secure a UEFA Champions League title for his team in 2013, a prowess that earned him the Ballon d'Or nomination.
Ribery could easily be one of the most important players in this particular lineup, as goals are what we really need.
