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Modern football has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past five decades, reshaping not only the way the game is played but also the physical profile and career longevity of players. One of the clearest signs of this evolution is the growing number of veteran footballers competing at the highest level. At the 1990 FIFA World Cup, only seven players were over the age of 35. That number rose to 41 at the 2022 tournament, and according to FIFA's official squad lists, the 2026 World Cup features 72 players aged 35 or older, including eight who are at least 40 years old—clear evidence that elite football is no longer reserved for players in their twenties.
At the 2026 World Cup, stars such as Lionel Messi, Luka Modrić, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kevin De Bruyne continue to play pivotal roles for their national teams. Their longevity is the result of major advances in sports science, nutrition, sports medicine, training methods, and recovery protocols, all of which have enabled players to extend their careers at the highest level.
Experts believe that modern football is physically incomparable to the game of previous generations. Dr. Orlando Leiteano, a specialist in exercise physiology, argues that the biggest difference between today's players and those of the 1970s lies not in natural talent but in physical preparation and scientific training. According to him, many of the team moves that were considered masterpieces half a century ago would be easily neutralized in today's game because of the dramatic improvements in players' speed, movement, and physical conditioning.
Research conducted by the University of Wolverhampton also shows that professional footballers have become, on average, more than four centimeters taller over recent decades while also developing leaner, more streamlined physiques. The researchers attribute much of this change to the dramatic improvement in playing surfaces. In the past, muddy and heavy pitches required players to carry greater muscle mass to maintain balance and performance. Today's well-maintained, well-drained fields allow lighter and more agile athletes to perform at a consistently high level throughout a match.
At the same time, football has evolved into a game built around explosive speed and repeated high-intensity actions. While reaching a sprint speed of 30 km/h was rare during the 1970s and 1980s, several players exceeded 35 km/h at the 2022 World Cup. More importantly, modern players are expected to reproduce these explosive bursts repeatedly over the course of 90 minutes, largely because of the widespread adoption of high-pressing tactics. As a result, the ability to recover quickly between intense efforts has become one of the most critical factors in elite performance.
Despite these scientific advances, the demands placed on players have also increased significantly. Top club and international footballers often play more than 60 matches in a single season, substantially raising the risk of injuries, particularly hamstring problems. FIFPRO, the global football players' union, has repeatedly warned that the increasingly congested match calendar places excessive physical strain on players and has called for stricter regulations to ensure adequate rest and recovery.
Ultimately, experts believe the remarkable longevity of today's football stars is driven by the combination of sports science, carefully designed training programs, evidence-based nutrition, and advanced recovery methods. As a result, players who manage their bodies effectively now have a far greater chance of competing at the highest level well into their late thirties and even their forties—an achievement that would have been difficult to imagine just two decades ago.