5 Evergreen Players Who Got Better In Their 30s
February 19, 2019
There is a period in every footballer’s player playing career when they hit their peak form. During that period they are said to be in their prime. For most footballer, they usually hit they best form when they are young and in their mid-20s. However, they are some evergreen football stars, who hit their peak form after three decades of their life.
Here are 5 players who became better in their 30s:
5. Cristiano Ronaldo
The mercurial Portuguese superstar has showed no signs of aging despite turning 34 recently. He even got better now that he is 34. Cristiano is the leading striker in the Italian league with 18 goals.
He switched as a winger, to a central striker during his 30s and has been even more clinical in front of goal.
4. Ryan Giggs
Undoubtedly, Ryan Giggs was a fantastic player during his younger days. He started out as an explosive winger, but since he turned 30, he shifted into central midfield, becoming more influential as a result. At that point, his career become even more fruitful and he played until he was 40.
3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
When Zlatan left FC Barcelona to join inter in 2011, he was 30. Many people thought that was the end if his career and his playing days were over. Ibrahimovic proved them all wrong. He was brilliant at Milan and was soon snapped up by Paris St Germain. Zlatan enjoyed a prolific form during four years at PSG and got much better.
2. Francesco Totti
Totti played his entire career at AS Roma. He is a great example of a player who got better after he turned 30. Totti made his Roma debut at 16, and had scored just 124 league goals by the time he turned 30. By the time he was 40 and decided to retire, the total goals he scored for Roma was 250. That is phenomenal for a player who turned 30.
1. Edwin Van Der Sar
The Dutchman enjoyed a stellar career at Manchester United. He joined Manchester United at the age of 34 from Fulham in 2005. During his time with The Red Devils, Van der Sar experienced his best ever form, winning four Premier League titles in six years and also a Champions League trophy.
This article is brought to us by our Sports Writers Club resident columnist – Collins Michael Nwokolo. Follow him on Twitter and Pinterest.
