Juan Mata challenges Kasper Schmeichel
Juan Mata is still going strong aged 36 (Image: Getty)
Two Arsenal heroes, a former Chelsea and Manchester United sensation and a Crystal Palace crowd-pleaser are among the former Premier League stars who you might have mistakenly thought had long since retired. Top-tier footballers often have a fleeting window to make an impact; many may find it challenging to break into their respective first teams until their mid-20s, while most choose to retire as they enter their mid 30s.
However, a select few EPL talents have significantly prolonged their footballing careers by playing overseas or descending the football league ladder. For instance, Cristiano Ronaldo is still showcasing his skills at 40 years old with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, showing no signs of slowing down, while Luis Suarez continues to dazzle at Inter Miami alongside Lionel Messi at the ripe age of 38. Here, we have picked out eight former Premier League stars who are still performing admirably elsewhere that you might not know of.
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Pepe Reina
Pepe Reina had an extraordinary nine-year stint with Liverpool from 2005 to 2014, amassing 177 clean sheets in 394 matches for the Reds before transferring to Bayern Munich for just £2.5million. With an FA Cup, a League Cup and a Community Shield under his belt, Reina will be remembered as one of Liverpool's finest-ever goalkeepers - but little has been mentioned of him on English soil since his exit.
After a year in Bavaria, Reina spent three seasons with Napoli and two years at AC Milan - including a brief loan to Aston Villa - Villarreal and Lazio, respectively, before signing for Como in July 2024. The 42-year-old seemed to be performing admirably in Serie A for the first half of the season, boasting 11 appearances and two clean sheets.
However, he now appears to be playing second string to Jean Butez, who joined the club in January after a five-year spell at Antwerp. Reina was subsequently relegated to the bench as his 29-year-old replacement shines on the field.
Reina
Reina spent almost a decade at Anfield (Image: Getty)
Juan Mata
After a three-year stint with Chelsea between 2011 and 2014, and an additional eight years at United, Juan Mata bid farewell to the Premier League with quite the silverware haul. During his time, the midfielder won two FA Cups, two Europa League titles, a Champions League and a Community Shield.
After a year with Galatasary and another with Vissel Kobe, the now 36-year-old signed for Western Sydney Wanderers in September 2024, where he continues to perform well on the pitch.
The Spaniard has made 18 A-League appearances for the team this season, scoring one goal and providing three assists.
Mata
Mata played for both Chelsea and Manchester United (Image: Getty)
Santi Cazorla
Santi Cazorla, a name that will never be forgotten by fans of the red side of north London, scored 29 goals and provided 44 assists in his 180 appearances for Arsenal. The Spaniard, who joined from Malaga in a £12m deal in 2012, won two FA Cups and two Community Shields with the Gunners in 2014 and 2015.
He then returned to Spain for a third spell with Villarreal, having previously played for them between 2003-2006 and 2007-2011. After two years back home, he moved to Saudi Pro League side Al Sadd in 2020, before rejoining his boyhood club Ovideo in 2023.
He overcame a severe ankle injury that almost resulted in the amputation of his foot due to a flesh-eating infection. The now 40-year-old has netted twice and assisted eight times over the past two years, but his future remains uncertain as his contract expires in July.
Cazorla
Santi Cazorla was remarkable with Arsenal (Image: Getty)
Lukas Podolski
Another former Gunner, Lukas Podolski, left a lasting impression during his three-year stint at Arsenal from 2012 to 2015.
The German forward, who won an FA Cup and a Community Shield during his time at the Emirates, later signed for Galatasaray before moving on to Vissel Kobe and Antalyaspor. The 39-year-old midfielder joined Ekstraklasa side Gornik Zabrze in July 2021 on a one-year contract with an option to extend.
Despite his age, he remains a crucial part of the team, scoring five goals and providing one assist in the 2024/25 season.
Podolski
Lukas Podolski is still playing football (Image: Getty)
Roque Santa Cruz
Roque Santa Cruz began his career at Olimpia in 1997 before making a name for himself at Bayern Munich two years later. He scored 51 goals in 238 appearances for the German giants before moving to Blackburn Rovers in 2007.
After netting 29 goals in 80 matches for Blackburn, he secured a £17m transfer to Manchester City in 2009. However, he struggled to make an impact at the Etihad, leading to loan spells back at Blackburn and stints at Betis and Malaga.
He made a permanent move to Malaga in 2013, before returning to Olimpia and then moving to Cruz Azul. In 2022, Santa Cruz transferred to Libertad, where he continues to play.
The 43-year-old has played 133 games for the Paraguayan Primera Division club, scoring 25 goals and assisting eight times.
Jose Fonte
After making his mark at Crystal Palace, Southampton and West Ham United, towering centre-back Jose Fonte chose to join Dalian Yifang in the Chinese Super League. Given that he was 33 years old then, it's hardly surprising that many fans might assume he retired long before 2025.
His stint in China lasted about five months, after which Fonte moved on to Lille and then Sporting Braga, before landing at Casa Pia last year.
The 41-year-old has appeared in 19 Liga Portugal matches with the team this season, proudly wearing the captain's armband for the club.
Fonte
Jose Fonte is now the captain of Casa Pia (Image: Getty)
Toby Alderweireld
After a six-year spell with Tottenham Hotspur, Toby Alderweireld joined Al-Duhail in July 2021 to compete in the Qatar Stars League. However, he only stayed with the club for one season before signing a three-year contract with Royal Antwerp in his home country of Belgium.
Fast forward to 2025, and the 36-year-old is the captain of Antwerp - having accumulated 132 appearances for the club since his arrival. While Alderweireld declared his plan to retire at the end of the 2024/25 season, an early retirement may have been forced upon him due to a quadricep tear sustained earlier this month, and he is expected to miss the rest of the season.
In an emotional statement regarding his injury, Alderweireld said: "I never expected this... Right now, I don't have the words for this. What I do know is that I will do everything I can to wear that beautiful shirt one more time.
"To be captain of the most beautiful club in the world one more time... It will be a tough battle against time, and I know I'm not on the winning side. I want to thank everyone for the heart-warming messages and the support I've received. You are all fantastic!"
Alderweireld
Toby Alderweireld may have to retire early (Image: Getty)
Yannick Bolasie
Former Crystal Palace and Everton star Yannick Bolasie is still showing his prowess on the pitch, despite being a veteran at 35 years old.
After departing Everton for Caykur Rizespor in 2021, he returned to Britain to play for Swansea between 2023 and 2024, then signed with Brazilian side Criciuma.
Having impressed during his spell in South America, Bolasie moved to Cruzeiro for the 2025 season and has immediately made an impact, contributing three goals and an assist in his first 10 matches.