Like good wine, some players do not age but mature and currently this is particularly felt. Many elements of talent are still prolific despite the years. The scorer grandpas are resisting.
As often, some players continue to perform after the age of 35. A phenomenon that is growing since players tend to have longer careers than before. Fertile ground for older scorers, Serie A highlights some talented players. Scored twice in the last Madonnina derby (2-1), Olivier Giroud (35 years old) had a solid season with 8 goals in 21 games in all competitions. Arrived from Chelsea last summer, the 2018 world champion is slowly but surely adapting to the Italian championship. His club partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic (40 years old) also has some good remains with 8 goals in 19 matches.
The Swedish striker who has experienced some physical glitches can count on a remarkable lifestyle that allows him to stay at the top. On the side of the internal rival, Edin Dzeko (35 years old) is no exception. Besides, his departure from AS Roma for Inter Milan last summer seems to have given him a new youth. He has 13 goals in 31 matches this season. Another experienced player, Domenico Criscito (35 years old) also shines with the Genoa. The former Juventus and Zenit who nevertheless alternates between left side and central defender has 6 goals in 16 matches with a relegated team.
La Liga and the Premier League also in the spotlight
The Spanish league is also increasingly rewarding for older attackers. Luis Suarez (35 years old)is one of its worthy representatives and has scored 10 goals in 30 matches this season with Atlético de Madrid. Former glory of the mattress club, Radamel Falcao (35 years old) offers himself a second youth with Rayo Vallecano which he joined last summer. Ninth in La Liga with the promoted, the Colombian striker has 5 goals in 16 matches under the colors of the Franjirrojos. Older, Jorge Molina (39 years old) no less effective. The Granada striker has made the powder speak 9 times in 23 matches this season.
Cadiz goalscorer Alvaro Negredo (36 years old) is also in good form with 7 goals in 25 matches in all competitions. If the Bundesliga has fewer older attackers, in the Premier League, they are two to do a lot of damage. Of course there is Cristiano Ronaldo (37 years old) who despite a slack has already scored 14 times in 25 matches under the colors of Manchester United. The Portuguese remains at the top just like Jamie Vardy (35) who has 11 goals in 22 appearances for Leicester and continues to assert his status in the Premier League.
In Ligue 1 and around the world
In Ligue 1, we can think of the Ivorian defender Ismael Traoré (35 years old) who still scores 3 goals in 22 matches with Angers, but the one that catches the eye is obviously Burak Yilmaz (36 years old). If he is less efficient than last season, he still has 6 goals in 27 matches with Lille. In the other championships, other older players are still talking about the powder. The former Caen player Youssef El Arabi (35 years old) remains successful on the side of Olympiakos with no less than 15 achievements in 31 games. It’s a little bit less than Lior Refaelov (35 years old). The Israeli striker continues to excel in Belgium with Anderlecht where he has scored 16 goals in 31 matches. Former player of Boulogne, Guingamp or Montpellier, Mustapha Yatabare (36 years old) brand still in Turkey.
The Sivasspor striker has 7 goals in 30 matches. On the side of Russia, Denis Glushakov (35 years old, 7 goals in 17 matches) and Christian Noboa (36 years old, 7 goals in 19 matches) have fun with Khimki and Sochi respectively. The former Monaco, Vagner Love (37 years old), made an impression in European competitions with 5 goals in 12 games with Kazakh club Kairat Almaty and has just signed in Denmark with FC Midtjylland. The former Germany international Lukasz Podolski (36 years old) had a good time with Górnik Zabrze (4 goals in 16 matches) while two former French internationals, André-Pierre Gignac (36 years old, 6 goals in 16 matches) and Bafetimbi Gomis (36 years old, 9 goals in 19 matches) continue to shine in exotic championships. The former continues his legend in Mexico with the Tigres while the latter recently signed for Galatasaray from Al Ahli.
