In the fast-moving world of football, it’s easy to lose track of stars who once lit up the biggest stages. While some fade quietly into retirement, others continue their careers far from the limelight—still chasing the ball with passion and pride. Here are 11 forgotten footballers who are still playing today, starting from the bottom of the list.
David Luiz – Fortaleza (38 years old)
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The Brazilian defender, known for his wild hair and chaotic playing style, still hasn’t called it quits. After stints with Chelsea, PSG and Arsenal, Luiz now turns out for Fortaleza in Brazil, showing he still has the fire to compete.
Jose Fonte – Casa Pia (41 years old)
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Premier League fans will remember Fonte for his years of solid service at Southampton. Even in his 40s, the Portuguese centre-back continues to play in the Primeira Liga for Casa Pia, defying the expectations of age.
Once Aston Villa’s No. 1, Guzan returned to the US in 2017 and has been a mainstay at Atlanta United ever since. At 40, he’s still standing tall between the posts and facing off against stars like Lionel Messi in MLS.
Santi Cazorla – Real Oviedo (40 years old)
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Cazorla was pure magic at Arsenal, dazzling fans with his two-footed brilliance. Despite a career marred by injury, the Spanish maestro is now giving his final touches at boyhood club Real Oviedo.
Roque Santa Cruz – Libertad (43 years old)
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At 43, the former Bayern Munich and Blackburn striker is remarkably still banging in goals in Paraguay. Santa Cruz now leads the line for Libertad, showing age is just a number when the instincts remain sharp.
Radja Nainggolan – Lokeren-Temse (37 years old)
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Nainggolan, once a warrior in Serie A with Roma and Inter, has taken his talents to the Belgian lower leagues. Now at Lokeren-Temse, he continues to play the game with grit and bite, even after a stint in Indonesia.
Arturo Vidal – Colo-Colo (38 years old)
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The Chilean midfielder, famous for his aggression and never-say-die attitude, now plays for Colo-Colo in his homeland. After a glittering European career, Vidal proves he still has a role to play on the pitch.
Shinji Kagawa – Free Agent (36 years old)
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Kagawa lit up Dortmund under Klopp and had a stint at Manchester United, but his spark faded in Europe. After a recent spell at Cerezo Osaka in Japan, he’s currently a free agent but still eager to keep playing.
Lukas Podolski – Górnik Zabrze (40 years old)
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Known for his thunderbolt left foot, Podolski now plays in Poland for Górnik Zabrze. Though his days of terrorizing keepers in Germany and England are behind him, he still pulls off the occasional screamer.
Vágner Love – Avaí FC (40 years old)
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A cult icon for his flamboyant looks and powerful shots, Vágner Love remains active in Brazil. Now with Avaí FC, the former CSKA Moscow star continues to entertain fans late into his career.
Jo – Free Agent (38 years old)
By Fabio Rodrigues Pozzebom/ABr – Agência Brasil: Jogo entre Brasil e Japão abre a Copa das Confederações, CC BY 3.0 br, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31293806
Once one of Manchester City’s big-money gambles, Jo had long spells in Brazil after leaving Europe. Though he briefly retired, he reversed his decision and now, at 38, is hunting for one final football adventure.
Oliver Obel – Sports Content Creator & Football Specialist
I’m a passionate Sports Content Creator with a strong focus on football. I write for LenteDesportiva, where I produce high-quality content that informs, entertains, and connects with football fans around the world.
My work revolves around player rankings, transfer analysis, and in-depth features that explore the modern game. I combine a sharp editorial instinct with a deep understanding of football’s evolution, always aiming to deliver content that captures both insight and emotion.
