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Professional football expects its players to be fit all the time. Those who fail to meet the standards required have a hard time getting playing time, while those that do are always a valuable asset of any team.
Get the latest workout tips to become fit and healthy only on Sportskeeda.
An average footballer will run between 6 and 7 miles in the whole 90 minutes of the game, which is more than the average distance covered by players involved in other major sports. These players, obviously, have a risk of getting injured because of all the turning, kicking and twisting which puts strains on their muscles and joints for long periods of time on a constant basis.
Despite all that, some players can play many games and never get injured. With the advancements in science and medicine, doctors are always keeping up with the latest trends in sports medicine so that they can provide the best possible treatments and preventions for their clients.
With that being said here is my list of the 10 Fittest Footballers of All Time!
10) Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy was a key player in Leicester’s surprise title win in 2016. Vardy currently holds the record for the most consecutive PL matches with a goal which was set in the 2015-16 season.
Vardy is known for his high work-rate and direct approach to the game which has won him many fans including the likes of Gary Neville. He is a clinical finisher, accurate penalty taker, good in the air, and capable of shooting the ball with both feet.
Vardy does not exercise in a gym, and he consumes Red Bull beverages and smokes smokeless tobacco frequently. Even though his lifestyle choices might be questionable for a footballer, he gives his all in matches and has rarely missed a game due to injury since joining LCFC in 2012. Well done Jamie!
9) Tom Lockyer
A relatively unknown player to most readers, this young lad has been through it all during his short career. From rejection to local club Cardiff to the Welsh international team is a story many people can look at for inspirational guidance.
Lockyer joined Bristol Rovers as a youth player and quickly established himself as a hardworking defender and future star. At the age of 24, he has already played 215 games in less than 5 years for the Rovers
He also was in the military for a couple of years, so I guess we can see why he’s so fit and is able to keep up with the demands of pro football!
8) N'Golo Kante
Kante has transformed from relative unknown to world superstar in just a couple of years! He has excellent ball-winning abilities and is probably the best player at winning the ball back, he has good positioning and athleticism, making him a nightmare for the opponents that have to face him on a weekly basis.
His intelligence and ability to read the game has turned him into possibly the best defensive midfielder in the world. He has played in 93% of all eligible PL games since joining Leicester in 2015, only missing 8 games out of a possible 114!
Kante’s ability to run many kilometers and tackle players that are bigger than him during the game and win back the ball constantly without getting hurt and tired puts him on this list as a very fit footballer.
7) Luis Suarez
Suarez has all the attributes of a world-class striker. Pace, flair and an eye for goal, alongside the fighting spirit and determination that Uruguay has gained a reputation for over the years.
What really makes Suarez a dangerous player, is his ability to execute proper movement with and without the ball, his ability to stay injury-free has all played a huge role in his career success as he rarely missed a game.
Suarez has played an average of 35 La Liga games per season during his time at Barcelona and he’s not slowing down anytime soon!
6) Thomas Muller
Over the last few years, no other Bayern player has been involved in more goals than Thomas Muller. He is actually the most consistent player in a star-studded Bayern Munich squad.
Muller is probably the best at off-ball movement. He makes intelligent runs which create space, both for himself and his teammates, and always seems to be in the right place at the right time which has won him critical acclaim.
Muller does lack physical strength and is not a freak of nature but he also has never suffered a major injury, he isn’t the quickest or most athletic player like his peers.
What makes Thomas Muller injury-free is that he employs a smart and careful style of play, he played in all 34 Bundesliga games throughout his first seasons at the club and when available will always suit up for his local club and give it his all.
5) Timmy Simons
Simons played as a defensive midfielder for big clubs in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. He was known for his tireless work ethic, determination and accurate penalty-taker, as he scored 48 goals through penalties while missing only 5.
In 2012, Simons was the only outfield player with the most minutes logged and the most kilometers covered in the Bundesliga. And guess what? He was 36 years old at the time!
On May 13, 2018, Simons announced that he would be retiring from professional football. The club legend retired in May 2018 after playing 736 league games in his 17-year career for club and 94 games for his country.
4) Clarence Seedorf
Seedorf was a well-rounded and versatile player, with many important physical attributes. This allowed him to play anywhere in midfield and contribute both offensively and defensively for many years.
Seedorf was also regarded as a clean and fair player and was sent off only two times in his entire career. In addition to his success and footballing skills, Seedorf has also been praised for his longevity as a footballer.
He was a player who was rarely injured. This was because he was always in the gym strengthening his body to build up loads of muscle which kept him fit and injury-free for years and allowed him to be at his best when needed.
He became the first ever player to win the Champions League with three different clubs: Ajax in 1995, Real Madrid in 1998 and Milan in 2003 and 2007.
3) Gary Speed
Speed made his debut for Leeds United as a teenager in 1988 and quickly established himself as one of football’s best ironmen.
He took a strict and modern approach to his diet and fitness at a time when very few of his peers did, which allowed him to avoid injury and continue playing until the age of 40.
He held the record for most appearances in the Premier League with 535, and his 85 caps for the Welsh national football team are the most ever by any outfield player.
He was a versatile player who could play in left midfield, central midfield, and also at left-back. He possessed great tactical awareness, and could both assist and score goals.
He also had a reputation as a friendly and supportive person in times of need. His positive personality made him a popular and well-respected figure amongst his peers.
He sadly passed away in 2011 at the age of 41, leaving behind his wife and 2 kids.
2) Ryan Giggs
The Welshman spent his entire career with Manchester United, winning 34 trophies in 23-years which included 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns.
But his career might’ve been cut short if he didn’t decide to start practicing yoga, Giggs credits yoga as the saving grace of his career and still continues to practice it even after retiring from football.
After multiple hamstring injuries and frequent back pain in his late 20s, Giggs took up yoga in 2003 and quickly noticed improved flexibility and fewer nagging injuries which helped him on the pitch.
He even released his very own fitness DVD, which showed that Giggs was not going to let anything get in the way of success as a professional football player.
1) Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world currently and will go down as an all-time great when he retires. But how has he been able to remain injury-free for so long?
Ronaldo recently joined Italian giants Juventus in a €100 million move from Real Madrid, the medical tests conducted as part of the signing show that Ronaldo is as fit as a 20-year-old, according to AS.
Reports also revealed that the Portugal player has a body fat percentage of only 7% and has a muscle mass of 50 percent. Hence it is no surprise that Ronaldo is never injured, which makes him one of the fittest players on this planet.
He is known for his dedication to keeping in tip-top shape through thousands of sit-ups and weight exercises, ice baths to aid recovery after intense games.
CR7’s famous diet includes fish, vegetables, and large amounts of fresh fruits. He compliments it with his incredible commitment to training, are these factors keep him fit and injury-free.
