Friday, 13 October 2017

GOLDEN OLDIES ! THE ULTIMATE STARTING XI OF PLAYERS AGED 36 IN WORLD FOOTBALL


Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic recently turned 36, so let's take a look at other footballing greats who are also at that age.

Here is the best starting XI of 36 year old's in football...

1. GK: Iker Casillas



Many would have expected Iker Casillas' career to suffer a downturn after he left Real Madrid, but the Spanish stopper continues to prove himself as a quality goalkeeper in Portugal with FC Porto. 

Easily the most contested position in this lineup, but Casillas beats Willy Caballero and Gomes to a place between the sticks.

2. RB: Nicolas Burdisso



Now at Torino following a summer move from Torino, the versatile defender has been playing in the Italian top flight since 2004, when Inter Milan signed him from Boca Juniors. 

The former Argentine international was an ever-present in the Serie A last season and uses his wealth of experience to his advantage. 

3. CB: Luisao



Now part of the furniture at the Estadio da Luz having been in the Portuguese capital for well over a decade, Luisao is still an important member of the Benfica first team. 

Not as dominant as he once was, the Brazilian centre-back is still a beast and his plethora of accolades proves his worth.

4. CB: Andrea Barzagli



Good enough to play alongside Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci over the last half a decade, Andrea Barzagli is still going strong despite his ageing legs. 

A regular performer for the national team too, the Italian has been part of the Juventus side that has dominated the Serie A in recent years.

5. LB: Patrice Evra



One of the best left-backs of his generation, Patrice Evra is back in Ligue 1, after 11 years away from his homeland. 

In that time the Frenchman won countless titles and trophies with both Manchester United and Juventus, before signing for Marseille halfway through last season.

6. CM: Michael Carrick



A former teammate of Evra, Michael Carrick is 
getting on a bit but would still probably make the starting lineup of most Premier League sides. 

Now a bit-part player at Manchester United, with whom he's been one of the most consistent performers during his time at Old Trafford, the calm midfielder is still technically flawless. 

7. CM: Gareth Barry



Officially the Premier League's all-time appearance maker, Gareth Barry is not letting age get the better of him and seeing new faces come in at Everton this summer, convinced the ex-England regular to move to West Bromwich Albion, in order to continue playing top flight football on a regular basis.

8. CM: Massimo Donati



Finding a third central midfielder to complete this three-man midfield proved tricky, but Massimo Donati certainly fits the bill. 

The former AC Milan and Celtic man is back in the Scottish Premiership, this time with Hamilton Academical, and the Italian was indispensable for the Accies last season. 

9. FW: Zlatan Ibrahimovic



The newest member to the 36 club, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is facing his biggest test yet after suffering knee ligament damage at the back end of last season. 

The Swedish striker signed a new one year deal with the Red Devils and if he does make a successful comeback it will only give further testament to his brilliance. 

10. FW: Aritz Aduriz



A late bloomer who earned his first international call-up with Spain at the age of 29, Aritz Aduriz has been a frequent source of goals for Athletic Bilbao, since he joined from Valencia in 2012. 

110 goals in just 256 La Liga games for the Basque side is some achievement for a striker on the wrong side of 30.

11. FW: Peter Crouch



It feels like Peter Crouch has been around for decades and that's because he has. 

Now a regular benchwarmer with Stoke City, the gangly striker is still managing to find the back of the net and passed a century of Premier League goals last season, becoming the oldest player ever to do so. 

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