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A few months before his 37th birthday, Cristiano Ronaldo seems capable of defying time. One of the best players to ever put on a pair of shoes, he often proves he makes a difference for Manchester United – and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is the standout contender for the title of best player in the world. history of the Premier League. age 35.
Ronaldo, however, is far from the only player in premier league the story of showing that age is just a number.
FourFourTwo recently compiled a list of the greatest veterans of England’s top flight and we’ve looked at it below. To give everyone else involved a chance to shine, Ronaldo wasn’t considered (we already know he’s pretty fair in terms of fairness!)
10 Premier League players who received rave reviews after turning 35 (excluding Cristiano Ronaldo)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Manchester United
We start at Old Trafford, where Ibrahimovic, 35, scored 28 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils in the 2016/17 season.
Many have questioned whether the charismatic Swede would be up to the challenge of life in the Premier League, having spent the previous four years dominating Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain. Zlatan quickly proved these fears to be unfounded. However, the less we say about his injury-ravaged second season, the better.
Tugay Kerimoglu – Blackburn Rovers
Famous for smoking 20 cigarettes a day even as a Premier League player, Tugay was a favorite at Ewood Park between 2001 and 2009. Even after celebrating his 35th birthday he still scored absolute worldies for the Lancashire club, including included a stunner against Tottenham at the age of 36.
Gary Speed ​​- Bolton Wanderers
After a distinguished career in which he played for Leeds, Newcastle and Everton, Speed ​​had a lot to offer as he moved to Reebok Stadium in July 2004. Still going strong for Sam Allardyce’s men two seasons later at the age of 37, Speed ​​scored eight times during the 2006/07 season.
Gary McAllister – Liverpool
When Liverpool sealed a hat-trick in the 2000/01 season, McAllister proved to be a crucial figure. Despite being in the twilight of his career at 35, the Scottish veteran helped the Reds win the League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup in a matter of months for Gérard Houllier’s side.
As exceptional as his cup performances were, McAllister again secured a place in the hearts of Liverpool fans with a stunning 94th-minute winner against Everton in the Premier League. These three points ensured that Champions League football would be played at Anfield the following season.
It’s no wonder that Houllier later called McAllister the “most inspiring signature†of his reign.
Teddy Sheringham – Tottenham
Turning down Sir Alex Ferguson may not be the easiest thing to do, but that’s exactly what Teddy Sheringham did when he chose to leave Manchester United to join Tottenham in 2001, aged 35.
Over the next two seasons he was a key man for Spurs, scoring 22 Premier League goals during that time, fully justifying his decision not to remain a full player at Old Trafford.
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The Ferdinands – Leicester City
Eyebrows naturally rose when Ferdinand signed for the Foxes in 2003. After all, at 37, it was fair to assume his best days were behind him.
Maybe they were. That didn’t stop him from scoring goals, however. The 12 Premier League goals Ferdinand scored throughout the campaign were enough to see him crowned the club’s player of the year.
Gordon Strachan – Leeds United
Elland Road fans believed Scottish midfielder Strachan was a diminished force when he signed for the club in 1989. Less than three years later, he won the club captain’s title at the age of 35. years.
Strachan continued to represent the Whites in the first two Premier League seasons. In his last campaign for Leeds – at 37 – he played no less than 37 games, helping his side to finish fifth in the standings.
Fernando Hierro – Bolton Wanderers
Never say that Sam Allardyce didn’t know how to get the best out of a veteran during his tenure as Bolton boss.
Persuading Hierro, former three-time Champions League winners with Real Madrid, to venture into Lancashire might not have been the easiest task, but Big Sam pulled it off.
The Spaniard made 28 appearances for the Wanderers in the 2004/05 season, helping the club to finish sixth. Not bad for a 36 year old man.
Glenn Murray – Brighton and Hove Albion
Murray was instrumental in promoting Brighton to the Premier League in 2017 – and he continued to find the back of the net the following year in the top flight. He might have been 35, but that didn’t stop him from scoring ten goals for the Seagulls during the campaign.
At one point fans even asked Murray to get a call-up in England due to his sensational form. Unfortunately for the man himself, it was not.
Ryan Giggs – Manchester United
With 632 Premier League appearances to his name, Ryan Giggs has enjoyed an incredible 22-year stint in the English top flight.
Although he went from being a fast winger to a creative force in the middle of the park towards the end of this period, he still landed a brace in the Premier League and Champions League at the age of 35. Then, 12 months later, he pocketed the PFA Player of the Year award.
Manchester United’s all-time appearance record holder was incredibly good even in the last months of his playing days.
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