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Who is the oldest player to play in the Champions League?

Published in Football Records 2 mins read

The oldest player to have played in the UEFA Champions League is Marco Ballotta.

Marco Ballotta's Record-Breaking Appearance

Goalkeeper Marco Ballotta set the record for being the oldest player to feature in the prestigious UEFA Champions League. His remarkable achievement took place on December 11, 2007, when he represented Lazio against Real Madrid. At the time of this historic match, Ballotta was an astounding 43 years and 252 days old. This appearance not only marked him as the oldest in the Champions League but also as the oldest player to appear in Italy's Serie A.

Secrets to Longevity on the Pitch

Ballotta's exceptional career longevity in professional football, spanning into his mid-forties, can be attributed to several key factors. He emphasized the importance of maintaining certain principles throughout his journey:

  • Motivation: A continuous drive to perform and compete at the highest level.
  • Enjoyment: Finding pleasure in the daily routine of training and the intensity of matches. Ballotta highlighted that the most important thing is to "keep having fun, both in training and in matches."
  • Injury-Free Career: A crucial element that allowed him to consistently perform without significant setbacks. He noted that an "injury-free career" was a vital component of his extended playing time.

These elements combined allowed Ballotta to defy conventional age barriers in elite football.

Notable Oldest Players in Champions League History

While Marco Ballotta holds the top spot, several other players have also showcased remarkable endurance and skill by playing in the Champions League at advanced ages. Here's a look at some of the most notable:

Rank Player Position Age at Last Appearance Club Date of Last Appearance
1 Marco Ballotta Goalkeeper 43 years, 252 days Lazio December 11, 2007
2 Gianluigi Buffon Goalkeeper 42 years, 317 days Juventus December 8, 2020
3 Alessandro Costacurta Defender 40 years, 211 days AC Milan November 21, 2006
4 Oleksandr Shovkovskiy Goalkeeper 41 years, 2 days Dynamo Kyiv December 6, 2016
5 Mark Schwarzer Goalkeeper 41 years, 66 days Chelsea December 11, 2013

For more details on Champions League records and statistics, you can visit the official UEFA Champions League website.