Football is the game of passion. There were days when footballers had no earnings as they do now. What I’m trying to say is that many players used to pick up football without even knowing that they could build big careers and become rich.
For some players, playing football was a life goal and a life call. Some even lasted for so long that they broke the record for the longest football careers. You probably know all the footballers I will talk about, but you may not know how they came to have such fabulous longevity.
Gianluigi Buffon (28 years)
The legendary goalkeeper has been part of this sport for as many as 28 years. He started his career in 1995 in Parma. The Italian spent most of his playing days in Juventus (17 years).
He went to PSG for one season and then came back to Turin. Finally, Buffon went back to where it all started (Parma). He ended his longest professional football career there and went down in history as one of the best goalkeepers ever.
Paolo Maldini & Roberto Carlos (25 years)
Wondering which footballer has the longest career other than a goalkeeper? Well, there are actually two players who played for 25 years and take this status. These are Maldini and Robert Carlos.
The Italian made his first steps in 1984. Due to his strict diet, healthy lifestyle and determination, Maldini’s career lasted until 2009. Another amazing defender, Roberto Carlos, shares the top longest football career status with Malidini.
The Brazilian played his first match in his professional career in 1991. He was part of the 2002 Brazilian World Cup winning team. Carlos also strengthened the lines of some of the strongest football clubs in history, such as Real Madrid.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic & Teddy Sheringham (24 years)
The controversial but legendary Swedish player will all know Ibrahimovic had a 24-year-long career. The Swede first became famous for his outstanding games in Italian clubs (Juventus, Milan, and Inter).
It wasn’t only that, but many football lovers remember Ibrahimovic for his inappropriate behaviour, which included dirty fouls. Throughout his very lengthy career, he also played for PSG, Barcelona, Manchester United, La Galaxy, etc.
Additionally, it’s Teddy Sheringham who made it to the group of players with the longest football careers. Just as Ibrahimovic, the Englishman spent 24 years on a football pitch. He played in England for almost his entire career but was also part of the Swedish Djurgårdens IF for six years.
Ryan Giggs (23 years)
The Welshman, Giggs, spent his whole career at Manchester United. As he played for the Red Devils for 23 years, he also holds the record for the longest Premier League career.
Some experts wanted to know the secret behind this winger’s longevity. It’s somewhat obvious that they concluded that the Welshman had a remarkable training routine with a rigid deity and healthy lifestyle.
