There are plenty of forgotten talents in the world of football, from one-season wonders to players who dominated for many years and just seemingly disappeared. Many players choose to fulfil their playing careers, continuing to play well beyond the expected age of retirement due to their passion for the sport and love of the game, whereas some players may have chosen a different route for various other reasons. Today, we are going to look at some iconic footballers from the time of the first iPhone release, or even the introduction of online live casino games, who are still playing to this day.
José Fonte
José Fonte might not have been regarded as the greatest centre half of all time, but he is a big name when it comes to Southampton and his national side, Portugal. After stints in the Portuguese league, he made a move to England in 2007 on a loan spell with London club Crystal Palace, before signing permanently the following year. His most memorable appearance came during his 8-year spell at Southampton, where he formed a formidable defensive partnership with Virgil Van Dijk. His main career highlight came in Euro 2016, when he helped Portugal win the competition. However, nowadays, at 41, he finds himself back in Portugal, representing Casa Pia in the Primeira Liga.
Shinji Kagawa
When you think of some of the great Japanese players, Shinji Kagawa is a name that may spring to mind. The Premier League winner and twice Bundesliga winner is a massive name in the history of Japanese football, being best known for his electric energy and unstoppable form under Jürgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, as well as a short stay in England at giants Manchester United. After his relatively unsuccessful loan spell at Besiktas in 2019, very little has been heard surrounding the now-35-year-old attacking midfielder; however, he is still continuing his football career. After announcing his departure from Borussia Dortmund in 2019, he made appearances in the Spanish, Greek, and even Belgian leagues before returning to the club that started his career, Cerezo Osaka. He has played for the club since 2023, making 35 appearances to date.
Eliaquim Mangala
Potentially remembered for all of the wrong reasons, Magala is another recognisable name. He signed for the Manchester club in 2014, for what was eventually deemed the British most expensive transfer fee for a defender, at roughly £41 million, after all the add-ons and extra payments were factored in. During his time at the club, he won a Premier League title; however, he made just over 50 appearances due to persistent errors and the availability of better options in his position. The Frenchman was a significant player at the time, playing in a rotational role throughout City’s growth. However, after he left in 2019, he struggled to find his footing and continue a successful career beyond the Premier League. Nowadays, the 34-year-old centre half plays in the Primeira Liga in Portugal for Estoril, leaving the glory days behind him.
Mathieu Valbuena
Recognisable for his small yet powerful stature, Valbuena is an iconic name in French and world football, having become a Marseille legend with over 240 appearances during his 8-year stay. His goalscoring ability and intricate footwork are what made his play style so recognisable and admirable, attracting the French national team and earning him over 50 caps. After cementing his name in the history of Olympiacos in Greece, he has continued to play in the country, currently representing League 2 side Athens Kallithea, where he still features on the scoresheet at the age of 40.
Radja Nainggolan
Nainggolan is an easily recognisable player thanks to his unique mohawk hairstyle, which has garnered him some media attention over the years. However, he is also an incredibly talented footballer, having played for the likes of Roma and Inter Milan, as well as making appearances for his Belgian national side. Since leaving the Italian top league, he has returned to Belgium, played in the Italian third division, and even ventured to Indonesia. However, he now remains in Belgium, playing for second-division side Lokeren-Temse at the age of 37, where he continues to feature on the scoresheet.
Lukas Podolski
Podolski is a legendary German footballer who has made over 130 appearances for his national team, including a World Cup victory in 2014. His career began in Germany, where he played for FC Köln and Bayern Munich, before he made a name for himself outside the Bundesliga with Arsenal. The forward played a major part in any team he played for, thanks to his goal-scoring ability and ability to move the ball with ease. However, after his time at Arsenal came to an end in 2015, he joined Inter Milan on loan. He has since featured in the top leagues of both Japan and Turkey, but now the 40-year-old finds himself back in his birthplace of Poland, with Górnik Zabrze, where he has made over 100 appearances since he joined in 2021.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
