After Totti became the oldest player in Champions League history here is a tribute to the over 35s.
They say that football is a young person’s game and whilst that is true the majority of the time, 38-year-old Francesco Totti proved on Tuesday that it’s not always the case with an equaliser for AS Roma against Manchester City in the Champions League.
SEE ALSO:
Champions League veterans XI.
Oldest Champions League scorers.
Franceso Totti goal v Manchester City.
In honour of that special moment for the Italian, here are the 20 best over 35s in world football courtesy of CaughtOffside.
20. Stipe Pletikosa, 35
A stalwart between the sticks for Croatia for almost 15 years this goalkeeper has won 112 caps for his country and is now plying his trade in Russia with FK Rostov.
19. Diego Milito, 35
Only really made a name for himself in the latter stages of his career when he played a pivotal role in Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan winning the treble in 2010, but is still doing a job back in his native Argentina.
18. Ricardo Carvalho, 36
Another Mourinho favourite now having played for him at Chelsea and Real Madrid and now the Portuguese defender is part of a new look and very expensive AS Monaco side.
17. Diego Forlan, 35
Although now playing in Japan this forward hasn’t been forgotten and still stars for the Uruguay national team despite now being well into the latter stages of his career.
16. Eric Abidal, 35
After six years of success with FC Barcelona and a battle with cancer this defender left the Nou Camp in 2013 for Monaco and now plies his trade in Greece with Olympiakos.
15. Didier Drogba, 36
Age appears to be catching up with this striker slightly now, but now back with the Blues there is nothing that can hamper this Ivory Coast international’s legendary status at Stamford Bridge whatever happens.
14. Sylvain Distin, 36
A centre-back that continues to defy his age and now outfield foreign Premier League player has more appearances than this Frenchman who is still starting every week for Everton.
13. Ivica Olic, 35
Still a stalwart for both club and country this Wolfsburg forward has netted three Bundesliga goals in just five matches this season to show retirement is still some way off yet.
12. Frank Lampard, 36
Left the Bridge after 13 years of success this summer for MLS franchise New York City FC, only to immediately return to England on-loan with Manchester City and inevitably score against his former club.
11. Morgan de Sanctis, 37
Is the first choice ‘keeper at Roma despite his age and after leaving Napoli in 2013 this Italian appears to be having a bit of a career revival very late on.
10. Claudio Pizarro, 35
Surrounded by some of the best players in world football at the Allianz Arena this Bayern Munich striker continues to prove his worth and has had a brilliant and varied career to date.
9. Rafael Marquez, 35
Anyone who watched Mexico at the 2014 World Cup will realise that this former Barca enforcer still has much to offer and has now joined the up and coming Hellas Verona.
8. Tim Howard, 35
Another star of Goodison Park now and Howard also caught a few eyes at the World Cup in Brazil with his fine performances in goal for USA and he remains a top class star.
7. Thierry Henry, 37
The pace and sharpness may not be quite as good as in his Arsenal days, but this cool, calm and collected Frenchman is still scoring bagfuls of goals in America with New York Red Bulls.
6. Luca Toni, 37
Amazingly this striker had a revival last term and was the second highest scorer in Serie A with newly promoted Verona and looks ready for another shot at the big time.
5. Mirolsav Klose, 36
Staying in the Italian top tier where players notoriously go on a lot longer than in other parts of the world and it’s a German who became the all-time record World Cup scorer this summer as his nation lifted the most famous trophy in football.
4. Antonio di Natale, 36
Another who’s career blossomed a lot later than expected and this Udinese great may be a hipster’s favourite but there is no doubting the immense talent the forward possesses.
3. Francesco Totti, 38
The oldest player on the list and yet someone who is still achieving the most as he leads a Roma team that is impressing in both the league and Europe currently.
2. Gianluigi Buffon, 36
Captain for both Juventus and Italy this stopper has been recognised as one of the best in the world in his position since the turn of the century and he doesn’t look like letting up anytime soon.
1. Andrea Pirlo, 35
Top of the pile though is another Juve star who is not just brilliant in the over-35s category but is a world-class player full stop despite the fact he is now in his twilight years.