By Staff Reporter
DUBAI-As the world turns its attention to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, one remarkable trend is capturing as much attention as the football itself: the unprecedented number of veteran stars still competing at the highest level.
For decades, football has been considered a young man’s game, with players typically reaching their peak before turning 30. Yet this year’s tournament is challenging that belief, as icons such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Luka Modrić, Edin Džeko, Yuto Nagatomo, and United States captain Tim Ream continue to thrive well into their late 30s and even 40s.
At 41, Ronaldo is preparing for a historic sixth World Cup appearance, while Messi approaches his 39th birthday still among Argentina’s key figures. Modrić and Džeko, both 40, remain influential leaders for their national teams, while Ream, at 38, has become the oldest outfield player ever selected for a United States World Cup squad.
Ream admits he once believed a second World Cup appearance after Qatar 2022 was unlikely. However, his determination to test his physical and mental limits kept him going.
“For me, it’s about pushing boundaries and seeing what I can still achieve,” he said.
Experts say advances in sports science have played an important role in extending football careers. Modern players have access to sophisticated recovery methods, including cryotherapy, red-light therapy, personalised nutrition plans, wearable technology, and detailed performance data that monitor everything from muscle fatigue to heart-rate variability.
Yet specialists insist that science alone cannot explain the longevity of today’s football veterans.
According to Croatian kinesiology professor Vlatko Vučetić, who has worked with Luka Modrić for more than a decade, long careers are built on a combination of factors including discipline, mentality, adaptability, physical conditioning, intelligence, and a genuine love for the game.
“It’s not just about science or technology,” Vučetić explained. “It’s always about people.”
Research shows that footballers generally experience declines in speed, power, and explosiveness as they enter their 30s. Recovery also becomes more difficult, while injury risks increase. Despite these challenges, many veteran players have learned to adapt their styles of play, relying more on experience, positioning, and tactical awareness than pure athleticism.
Performance expert Ben Rosenblatt believes modern football’s greater understanding of training loads, recovery, nutrition, hydration, and injury prevention has significantly increased career longevity.
However, he argues that success still depends on mastering the basics.
“Training properly, sleeping well, recovering effectively, eating correctly and staying disciplined remain the foundations,” he said.
Beyond physical preparation, motivation remains one of the biggest factors separating those who retire and those who continue competing. Many players find it difficult to maintain the demanding lifestyle required at the elite level once they reach their mid-30s.
For stars such as Modrić and Ream, however, the passion for football remains as strong as ever.
Ream says he is motivated not only by his love for the sport but also by the example he wants to set for his children.
“I want to show them the importance of setting goals, working hard, showing determination and never giving up,” he said.
Sports performance specialists also point to the importance of relationships, leadership qualities, emotional intelligence, and supportive environments. Older players often bring invaluable experience and guidance to younger teammates, making them assets beyond their performances on the pitch.
As football continues to evolve, experts believe the future may see even more players extending their careers through better data analysis and personalised training programmes.
For now, the 2026 World Cup stands as a celebration of football’s enduring greats—proof that age is increasingly becoming just a number, while experience, discipline, and passion continue to shape success at the highest level of the game.
