Professional sport is an unforgiving business. No matter who you are or what you may have achieved, the moment you aren’t producing the goods, the fans will soon let you know about it. One bad game and people start talking about age, retirement or changing teams, but it’s inevitable that performance levels drop as athletes get older. However, the best athletes still have plenty to offer at the top level, despite any physical limitations that age may bestowed upon them. Below we take a look at some of the world’s best sportsmen as they approach the end of their stellar playing careers.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Age: 37
Career Highlights:
5 x UEFA Champions Leagues
5 x Ballon d’Or Awards
4 x European Golden Shoes
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Ronaldo has won 32 trophies in his career. His desire to win yet more trophies is reflected in his recent split from Manchester United, as he looks to continue his journey at a club that can challenge for silverware.
Having achieved so much in his long career already, Ronaldo is determined to prove he’s still one the best players in the world, and with his proven goalscoring skills, he’s bound to be in demand by some of the best clubs in Europe.
Ronaldo was offered £350 million in the summer to move to Saudi Arabia and that may resurface, but a move to the MLS and David Beckham’s Inter Miami, or a return to his childhood club, Sporting Clube de Portugal remains more of a possibility. But don’t rule out a return to former clubs Juventus or Real Madrid.
Lionel Messi
Age: 35
Team: Paris Saint Germain
Career Highlights:
4 x Champions League
6 x European Golden Shoes
7 x Ballon d’Or awards
10 x La Liga
Lionel Messi will decide his future in 2023 according to reports, with rumours the Paris Saint-Germain forward could return to Barcelona when his current contract expires. In what would no doubt prove to be a tearful homecoming for the Argentinian, a return to Camp Nou would be a fitting end to his illustrious career.
Arguably the greatest footballer the world has ever seen, Messi will not be short of options should he leave PSG, however, with Inter Miami or a return home to Argentina and his boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys, also possible destinations. Before that, Messi will be looking to bring home an elusive first Champions League title to PSG, and according to the very latest sports betting, he may well be on course to do just that.
Tom Brady
Age: 45
Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Career Highlights:
7× Super Bowl champion
5× Super Bowl MVP
Tom Brady is currently the oldest active player in the NFL and is one of the oldest quarterbacks to ever play the game. To still be playing at the top level in one of the most physical sports in the world, is a testament to his ability. Now in his final ever season, having briefly retired and then come out of retirement in a matter of weeks, the Buc’s QB will be hoping to finish his career with a record-breaking 8th Super Bowl victory.
Aaron Rodgers
Age: 38
Team: Green Bay Packers
Career Highlights:
1 x Super Bowl
Super Bowl MVP
4× NFL Most Valuable Player
After Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers is the second-oldest quarterback currently active in the NFL, and he’s widely regarded as one of the most talented quarterbacks in NFL history.
Since he started his pro career in 2005, Rodgers has only ever played for the Green Bay Packers, helping them to a Super Bowl in 2011. The QB holds numerous records, including the best touchdown-to-interception ratio in NFL history at 4.83, the league’s lowest career interception percentage at 1.3 percent, and the highest single-season passer rating record of 122.5. He recently signed a contract extension of $150.8M over the next three years, that will see him potentially retire aged 41.
LeBron James
Age: 37
Team: L.A. Lakers
Career Highlights:
4× NBA champion
4× NBA Finals MVP
4× NBA Most Valuable Player
18 × NBA All-Star
James’ resume says all you need to know about his skill and athleticism: 18 All-Star appearances, 18 All-NBA bids, six All-Defensive teams, four MVPs, four titles and four Finals MVPs. His motivation to keep playing is to win yet more championships and finally become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
LeBron turns 38 in December and recently agreed a 2-year, $97.1 million contract extension that includes a player option for 2024-25. That would potentially keep him in the NBA past his 40th birthday and see him end his incredible career at the Lakers.
Andre Iguodala
Age: 38
Team: Golden State Warriors
Career Highlights:
4× NBA champion
NBA Finals MVP
NBA All-Star
Iguodala returns to the Warriors for his 19th and final NBA season in 2022-23 before officially retiring. The former NBA All-Star began his career with the Philadelphia 76ers way back in 2004, and has averaged 11.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 1,223 career regular season games. Iggy will be hoping to help the Warriors retain their hold on the NBA championship before he finally calls it a day.
