Pietro Vierchowod
It is often said in Italy that Pietro Vierchowod was so fast
that he never got outpaced during his entire career. Even when the
centre back was still plying his trade in Serie A at the age of 40. The
son of a Ukrainian Red Army soldier, ‘The Tzar’ was still a world class
defender right up until his late thirties.
He was man-of-the-match along with fellow defender Moreno Torricelli at the age of 37 in Juventus' 1996 Champions League final win over Louis Van Gaal’s star-studded Ajax side and was playing for Milan the following year at 38. When he finally retired at 41, the 45-cap Italy international was still easily good enough at the very top level.
He was man-of-the-match along with fellow defender Moreno Torricelli at the age of 37 in Juventus' 1996 Champions League final win over Louis Van Gaal’s star-studded Ajax side and was playing for Milan the following year at 38. When he finally retired at 41, the 45-cap Italy international was still easily good enough at the very top level.
Javier Zanetti
An Argentine equally adept in defence or midfield, Javier
Zanetti signed for Inter in 1995 from Banfied and has been consistently
world class for most of the 18 years since. At the age of 36 years and
eight months, Zanetti produced arguably the two best performances of his
career as he completely shut out Lionel Messi as Inter defeated
Barcelona in the 2009-10 Champions League semi-final on the Nerazzurri's way to glory.
Zanetti did not slow down following this triumph and was the one Inter player to maintain his outstanding levels as they fell spectacularly from grace. Until the beginning of last season, he was still considered by some to be the best full back in Serie A. Despite snapping his Achilles tendon in April and turning 40 in August, Zanetti could return to the field in the next month - don't bet against El Tractor carrying on exactly where he left off.
Zanetti did not slow down following this triumph and was the one Inter player to maintain his outstanding levels as they fell spectacularly from grace. Until the beginning of last season, he was still considered by some to be the best full back in Serie A. Despite snapping his Achilles tendon in April and turning 40 in August, Zanetti could return to the field in the next month - don't bet against El Tractor carrying on exactly where he left off.
Alfredo Di Stefano
A year older than Ferenc Puskas, Alfredo Di Stefano is
regarded by some as the greatest footballer of all time – even better
than compatriot Diego Maradona and Brazilian Pele. A key reason for this
argument is his longevity at the very top of European and world
football.
The legendary attacking midfielder was still pulling the strings for Real Madrid a couple of years shy of 40 – the age he hung up his boots – and he was Spanish Player of the Year at 38 when he led los Blancos to his eighth Primera title. Di Stefano and Puskas really were the Golden Oldie couple.
The legendary attacking midfielder was still pulling the strings for Real Madrid a couple of years shy of 40 – the age he hung up his boots – and he was Spanish Player of the Year at 38 when he led los Blancos to his eighth Primera title. Di Stefano and Puskas really were the Golden Oldie couple.
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