Retired footballers, that could still compete if they wanted to

[Eplel]

As the title suggests, what are some footballers that have managed to retain their physique post retirement and could still compete in professional football?

For me, Ruud, at 46 could still make it as a rotation option for a lower level PL side, and bag a few goals as well.

Who else?

 

[RedDevilCanuck]

Giggs could play as a 10 in the Championship easily.

 

[VanDeBank]

Davy Propper (ex Brighton). He retired last year at 29.

 

[SungSam7]

Very rare you would have a player that has retired that could still do a job considering a player has retired for that reason they just cant provide much anymore.

RVN is my all time favourite player, but his mobility is definately gone at 46 and feel he would be lucky to get 1 or 2 goals in a season.

However, Arjen Robben would be my shout anyway, if his injuries would go away.

 

[Ayoba]

As the title suggests, what are some footballers that have managed to retain their physique post retirement and could still compete in professional football?

For me, Ruud, at 46 could still make it as a rotation option for a lower level PL side, and bag a few goals as well.

Who else?

Lower level PL side?? Like who?

There's not a chance in hell he can compete at 46, not even in the lower leagues.

 

[Eplel]

Very rare you would have a player that has retired that could still do a job considering a player has retired for that reason they just cant provide much anymore.

RVN is my all time favourite player, but his mobility is definately gone at 46 and feel he would be lucky to get 1 or 2 goals in a season.

However, Arjen Robben would be my shout anyway, if his injuries would go away.

I picked RVN, because all he would need to do is play as a poacher. He knows how to be in the right spot, at the right time.

 

[Chip]

Wesley Sneijder and Wayne Rooney.

 

[Oranges038]

Beckham & Pirlo could still strut around midfield somewhere

 

[OnlyTwoDaSilvas]

Jaap Stam whenever he plays in a testimonial or exhibition game, he still looks like he could fold any centre forward in half. He doesn't seem to know how dial it back. If he ever played football in the garden with this kids, I bet he stuck a two footer on them.

He'd need to play in a low block, because he's 50, but he'd probably do alright.

 

[TheNewEra]

Jaap Stam whenever he plays in a testimonial or exhibition game, he still looks like he could fold any centre forward in half. He doesn't seem to know how dial it back. If he ever played football in the garden with this kids, I bet he stuck a two footer on them.

He'd need to play in a low block, because he's 50, but he'd probably do alright.

Watched him a few years ago, people just bounce off him and so composed.

Maldini and Scholes could probably still do it

 

[ChaddyP]

Paul Scholes... Even with a pot belly could still do it right now with a preseason done I think

 

[Kanu]

Robben

 

[::sonny::]

Seedorf

 

[Black Adder]

Javier Zanetti probably looks even younger now so he would be my first pick.

 

[Blood Mage]

Pirlo and Xavi would still be class in a bottom table PL side I reckon.

 

[Twins]

Ronaldo. The way he bulked up in recent years he would be a pure force of nature, could probably even waltz right through Stam.

 

[Ajr]

Peter Crouch for a league one team.

In fact any football player who recently retired from top flight football I'm sure under the right circumstances could.

 

[MalaysianRed7]

Erik ten Hag

 

[Abraxas]

Some of these suggestions are a bit silly. The ones that are in their mid to late 40s or 50s would be at a very low level if they were to come back. Professionals, maybe just but I still somehow doubt it -don't underestimate the physicality in league 2, if you're nearing 50. Maybe in some country where they play slow football.

Even in charity games you can see how much is lost physically. No chance a guy like Ruud would be any use to a PL side. Football continues to change and you simply lose too much through age. They'd be getting injured a lot, taking long to recover and not having the physicality to match the tempo of the game.

Your best bet is people that retired within the last 3-4 years and are still on some kind of shape.

 

[Davicho]

Carrick . If not for his heart problem, would still play in a lower division. Remember Bruno saying last year, that he looked as one more player of the squad, when he trained with the first team.

 

[Andersonson]

@ thread

 

[Red the Bear]

Wesley Sneijder and Wayne Rooney.

Sneijder has turned into round ball.

He would be nowhere near a football pitch.

 

[Trequarista10]

I miss this with modern football. As a kid I used to love seeing former greats playing in lower league for clubs for a pay cheque. I remember watching Peter Beardsley and Peter Shilton playing in the old Division Three (League Two).

 

[pawanraj]

Zidane looks like he keeps himself in shape. Probably can ping a ball around at a decent level.

 

[The Firestarter]

Giggs could play as a 10 in the Championship easily.

Would you stare when you watch him down there?

 

[Red Shorts]

I need to double check, but Cafu for SoccerAid covered a stupid amount of ground for someone who has been retired for so long

 

[Thiagoal]

Very rare you would have a player that has retired that could still do a job considering a player has retired for that reason they just cant provide much anymore.

RVN is my all time favourite player, but his mobility is definately gone at 46 and feel he would be lucky to get 1 or 2 goals in a season.

However, Arjen Robben would be my shout anyway, if his injuries would go away.

He’d bag more than two in penalties alone

 

[Charlie Foley]

Erik ten Hag

This fecking guy!

 

[Charlie Foley]

46 in the premier league come on

 

[massi83]

Casemiro

 

[fps]

None who has retired for age, their knees are absolutely buggered by the time they retire, and they’ve often been held together by glue and gaffa tape for a year or two before retiring anyway.
Although I’m sure Tugay and Prosinecki haven’t much less pace now than when they were strutting about.

 

[MrEleson]

As the title suggests, what are some footballers that have managed to retain their physique post retirement and could still compete in professional football?

For me, Ruud, at 46 could still make it as a rotation option for a lower level PL side, and bag a few goals as well.

Who else?

I remember Ruud playing for Malaga and he could barely move. Guy was running in slow motion and that was 10 years ago.

No chance in hell he could play top level football to any capacity.

 

[gormless]

Aguero still has the talent. Only issue being his heart

 

[RedDevil@84]

Luke Shaw

 

[Semper Fudge]

Sneijder has turned into round ball.

He would be nowhere near a football pitch.

You weren't joking.

Spoiler

 

[NewYorkRed]

Leo Messi. Could probably still play as a MF from a bottom side in Spain.

 

[Stadjer]

Some names that are mentioned, Robben tried to come back after a year of retirement and it wasnt a major succes on the field. Stam retired because he wasnt good enough anymore.

But if being good in one of those old players games than Beckham has to be named. I remember him playing very well for Manchester United in one of those old player games.

 

[MrEleson]

You weren't joking.

Spoiler

He looks even better here than some photos I’ve seen.

 

[Tom Van Persie]

Scholes always looks class in the charity matches. Beckham looked good a few years ago in that legends game against Bayern.

 

[Red the Bear]

You weren't joking.

Spoiler

I never am but yo be fair the second part of my post was factually wrong as he does indeed seem to be on a football pitch.

What a fall from grace that is.