Old is Gold: Best 30+ year old football players (Part-2)

In my previous article https://www.sportskeeda.com/2012/06/29/old-is-goldbest-30-year-old-football-players/, I have mentioned some of the greatest players who are 30+. However, many must have noticed that I have kept aside some very talented players aside, endearing all the readers taunts and remarks in the process. So, now its time to reveal them in the second part of this article.

Goalkeepers:

Christian Abbiati: Coming back from a career threatening head injury, he has saved some stunners and saved some money for Milan in terms of getting another high profile goalkeeper into the team roaster. For some time from now he has had ageing defenders ahead of him, yet he has done his job well.

Petr Cech: No words could describe his ability. He once went 1025 minutes without conceding a goal in the Premier League, a record until it was surpassed by Van der Sar. His athletic saves in the second leg against Barcelona helped Chelsea progress into the semi-finals of Champions league. He is a class of his own.

Brad Friedel: A year ago, experts mocked him as an epic transfer failure, else who would buy an aging 40 years old to save goals? yet he has become a success story at White Hart Lane. He has hit remarkable form, and is all set to stay with Spurs for yet another year.

Defenders:

Lucio: He may be 34 now, but he has been the guiding hand for both his national and club team. He recently went out of contract at Inter Milan, yet several top clubs are in the race for his signature. His physical disposing of opponents and his commanding nature makes him a much sought after defender.

Ledley King: A year ago, he would have never made it to this list. But this year he has been stunning at the back.Tottenham’s success at the league can be attributed to his dedicated performances.

Anthony Reveillere: He is no doubt ageing, but still remains the best French full back capable of playing on both left and right flanks. He is an amazing dribbler, and Lyon is grateful to use his service over the years.

Alessandro Nesta: At 35 he is really injury prone. Still he is one of the best rated defender in Serie A. It is no wonder why AC Milan still boast of a fine back-line. He is commanding and arranges the defence well during set-pieces.

Midfielders:

Kaka: After his legendary transfer to Santiago Bernebeu, he has been injury stricken and lost out to the young and enterprising Mesut Ozil. But when he laces up his boots, he lets the magic flow and possess his teammates. A formidable midfielder, he sets a new attacking midfielding standard all together.

Paul Scholes: If one types ‘Passing compilation’ in youtube, you will see the top 10 results bearing Paul’s name. The word defense-splitting passes must have been invented for him. Loyal to the very end, he opted out of retirement to solve midfield problems at Old Trafford. He is truly a legend and hats off to him.

David Beckham: Basically a sentimental choice in this list. He helped LA Galaxy to lift the MLS Cup. And he still remains one of the finest dead ball experts in MLS. He is simply awesome and retains his charisma on the field.

Scott Parker: His transfer from West Ham Utd to Tottenham is one of the best English transfers in recent times. He is a defensive midfielder and even though he may not be scoring goals regularly, getting past him is a challenge for the opposition.

Francesco Totti: The legend of Roma has been an example of one-club-players. He now the leader of a very young and aspiring AS Roma. Leave him unmarked and this fifth all-time Serie A top scorer will make you pay.

Michael Ballack: After his transfer to Bayer Leverkusen, he has been plagued by injuries and missed the last chance of playing for Germany in a World Cup at South Africa. But now the midfield Lion is back in business. His shift to the role of a deep lying midfielder makes goals rare, but class remains the same.

Florent Malouda: Another Ex-Chelsea man and his exit from the Stamford bridge to make way for the younger class is admirable. He is still one of the great attacking wingers, and he will find no shortage of clubs to hire him as he has many playing years ahead of him.

Forwards:

Alessandro Del Piero: He may have had been reduced to an impact substitute at the Old Lady’s roster, but he still retains great power and a finish in his feet. He may have left Juve, but may be the guiding light a club needs to come out of their misery.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: What is 31, pony tailed and nails down defenders with both his feet and head? you got it right, last seasons top scorer of Serie A, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He has shown no signs of mercy on the opposition when he runs down the opposition defenses and is deadly from any range.

Raul Gonzalez: 323 goals for over 10 seasons at Real Madrid and 71 Goals at UEFA Champions League (the highest ever) sums it all. He helped uplift Schalke out of their miseries. He has shifted loyalty to Al-Sadd this transfer season, but he is a real dynamite on field.

Ronaldinho: The two times world player of the year has not lost touch at Atletico Mineiro. He still is one of the most formidable striker and the one to be feared with a dead ball.

Miroslav Klose: He may have lost out to Mario Gomez in the national squad and trying hard to start every game at Lazio. But both at EURO 2012 build up and in the Euros he showed that he can not only bombard the oppositions net, but is a genuine aerial threat and is like a fox in the box. He is the best in business, by a mile.