There are a number of former Premier League talents that football fans will be bamboozled to hear are still plying their trade well into their twilight years - from cult classic stars to 'Big Six' legends
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Juan Mata of Manchester United in action with Santi Cazorla of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium
Juan Mata and Santi Cazorla are just two of the Premier League's previous stars you may have assumed were retired
(Image: Man Utd via Getty Images)
An Arsenal legend, a Manchester United superstar and a Crystal Palace fan favourite are among the list of Premier League legends that you may have assumed to have long been retired.
Footballers at the highest level often have an incredibly short amount of time to make their mark; many may struggle to break through into their respective first team until their mid-20s, while most opt to hang their boots up as they tick into their 30s. However, a handful of EPL prodigies have opted to extend their footballing-life substantially by plying their trade abroad or dropping down the football league pyramid.
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For example, Cristiano Ronaldo is still playing at the age of 40 with Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr, with no signs of slowing down any time soon - while Luis Suarez continues to impress at Inter Miami alongside Lionel Messi at the tender age of 38. Today, we're breaking down eight once-Premier League superstars who are still going strong elsewhere - despite widespread assumptions of retirement.
Pepe Reina
Pepe Reina enjoyed a remarkable nine-year spell with Liverpool between 2005 and 2014, racking up 177 clean sheets in 394 games for the Reds before moving on to Bayern Munich for just £2.5million. With an FA Cup, a League Cup and a Community Shield to his name, Reina will go down in the annals of history as one of Liverpool's greatest-ever shot-stoppers - but little has been said of him on English shores since his departure.
After a year in Bavaria, Reina spent three seasons with Napoli, and two years at AC Milan (including a short-term loan to Aston Villa ), Villarreal and Lazio respectively before signing for Como in July 2024. At the age of 42, Reina looked to be performing well in Serie A for the first half of the season, with 11 appearances under his belt and two clean sheets.
Liverpool's David Ngog (centre) celebrates scoring with goalkeeper Jose Reina (right) and Emiliano Insua (left) during the Barclays Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool
Pepe Reina left Liverpool in 2014(Image: PA)
However, he now looks to be playing second-fiddle to Jean Butez, who arrived at the club in January after a five-year stint at Antwerp - with Reina subsequently demoted to the bench as his 29-year-old successor performs on the pitch.
Juan Mata
After spending three years with Chelsea between 2011 and 2014, and a further eight years at Manchester United, Juan Mata waved goodbye to the Premier League with two FA Cups, two Europa League titles, a Champions League and a Community Shield to his name.
After spending 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 make an impact on the turf. The Spaniard has made 18 A-League appearances for the side this term, netting one goal and providing three assists for his efforts.
uan Mata of the Wanderers runs for a corner during the round one A-League Men match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC at CommBank Stadium
Juan Mata plays for Western Sydney Wanderers(Image: Getty Images)
Santi Cazorla
The streets of north London will never forget Santi Cazorla, who racked up 29 goals and 44 assists in 180 appearances for Arsenal after arriving from Malaga in a £12m deal in 2012. After lifting two FA Cups and two Community Shields with the Gunners in 2014 and 2015, Cazorla returned to his native Spain for a third and final stint with Villarreal - having played for the side between 2003 and 2006, and 2007 and 2011 respectively.
After two years in his homeland, he made the move to Saudi Pro League side Al Sadd in 2020, before returning to his youth club of Ovideo in 2023. At the age of 40, Cazorla has scored two goals and provided eight assists for the side over the past two years, although he has been in and out of the squad since December, with his future in football up in the air when his current contract comes to an end in July.
Santi Cazorla playing for Arsenal
Santi Cazorla was remarkable with Arsenal(Image: PA)
Lukas Podolski
Speaking of Arsenal, Lukas Podolski spent three years with The Gunners between 2012 and 2015, making quite the mark in his short, but sweet, tenure. With an FA Cup and a Community Shield to show for his efforts, Podolski left the Emirates Stadium to sign for Galatasaray, before subsequently teaming up with Vissel Kobe and Antalyaspor.
The now 39-year-old midfielder landed at Ekstraklasa side Gornik Zabrze in July 2021 on a one-year deal with an option to extend, however, he still remains an imperative feature in the squad. With five goals and one assist to his name in 2024/25, Podolski continues to deny age by proving he can still hang in competitive football.
Lukas Podolski of Arsenal in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Fulham, at Emirates Stadium
Lukas Podolski is still playing football(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Roque Santa Cruz
Roque Santa Cruz emerged through the youth ranks of Olimipa in 1997 before bursting onto the scene with Bayern Munich two years later - scoring 51 goals in 238 appearances for the Bavarians before arriving at Ewood Park as part of the Blackburn Rovers set-up in 2007.
After scoring 29 goals in 80 games for the side, he made a £17m move to Manchester City just two years later - but ultimately failed to find his footing at the Etihad, instead being loaned back to Blackburn, while later enjoying temporary spells with Betis and Malaga. A permanent move to the latter ensued in 2013, before the Paraguayan moved on to Cruz Azul and back to Olimpia.
Roque Santa Cruz celebrates scoring against Arsenal with Blackburn Rovers' Norwegian midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen during their English League Cup quarter final football match at Ewood Park
Roque Santa Cruz was a staple with Blackburn Rovers
However, in 2022, Santa Cruz made his way to Libertad - where he remains today. At the age of 43, Santa Cruz has played 133 games for the Paraguayan Primera Division outfit, with a tally of 25 goals and eight assists for his efforts.
Jose Fonte
After making his mark at Crystal Palace, Southampton and West Ham United, 6ft3' centre-half Jose Fonte opted to sign for Dalian Yifang in the Chinese Super League - and as he was 33 at the time, it comes as little to no surprise that many fans may believe that he has long been retired in 2025.
While his spell in China lasted around five months, Fonte then moved on to Lille and subsequently Sporting Braga, before arriving at Casa Pia last year. At 41, the player has featured in 19 games in Liga Portugal with the side this season, and proudly sports the captain's armband for the club.
Jose Fonte playing for Portugal
Jose Fonte is the captain of Casa Pia(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Toby Alderweireld
Following his six-year stint with Tottenham Hotspur, Toby Alderweireld teamed up with Al-Duhail in July 2021 to play in the Qatar Stars League. However, he lasted just one season with the club before signing with Royal Antwerp in his native Belgium on a three-year deal.
Fast forward to 2025, and Alderweireld, now 36, is captain of Antwerp - having racked up 132 appearances for the club since arriving. While Alderweireld announced his intention to retire at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, a quadricep tear sustained earlier this month may have forced him into an early retirement - given that he is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Tottenham Hotspur's Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld reacts during the UEFA Champions League final football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at the Wanda Metropolitan Stadium in Madrid
Toby Alderweireld may have to retire early(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
In a heartfelt statement addressing his injury, Alderweireld wrote: "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!"
Yannick Bolasie
Known for his stints with Crystal Palace and Everton, winger Yannick Bolasie is still going strong at the age of 35. After leaving Everton for Caykur Rizespor in 2021, Bolasie returned to the UK to play for Swansea between 2023 and 2024, before joining Brazil's Criciuma.
Yannick Bolasie playing for Crystal Palace
Yannick Bolasie now plays in Brazil(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
After a successful stint in South America, Bolasie switched allegiance to Cruzeiro for 2025, where he has hit the ground running with three goals and an assist in his first 10 games.
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