x(1125).png?1040019761 "Football: Oldest UEFA Europa League Players, by age"){kind=logo}
| Player | Age at last appearance, in years |
|---|---|
| Brad Friedel (Tottenham Hotspur) | 42.84 |
| Sander Boschker (FC Twente) | 42.09 |
| Artur Boruc (Legia Warsaw) | 41.80 |
| Joaquin (Real Betis) | 41.65 |
| Marco Storari (AC Milan) | 40.92 |
- Region: Europe
- Time period: 1971 to 2023
- Published: Aug 2023
Data Analysis and Insights
Age Range of Players
Brad Friedel from Tottenham Hotspur holds the record as the oldest player in the Europa League at 42 years, 10 months, and 2 days, while the youngest in this list, Marco Storari from AC Milan, made his last appearance at 40 years, 11 months, and 0 days. The age range spans 1 year and 11 months, showing a narrow margin among the top oldest players.Dominance of Goalkeepers
Among the oldest players, three out of five are goalkeepers: Brad Friedel, Sander Boschker, and Marco Storari. This underlines the longevity of goalkeepers in professional football, with them playing at top levels into their early 40s.Diversity in Club Representation
Players from the list represent clubs from five different countries: England, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and Italy. This diversity showcases the widespread nature of veteran talent across European football leagues.Close Age Gaps Among Contenders
The age difference between the oldest player, Brad Friedel, and the second oldest, Sander Boschker, is only 8 months and 28 days. Similarly, the gap between the third and fourth oldest, Artur Boruc and Joaquín, is 2 months and 26 days, indicating close competition for the title of the oldest player in the Europa League.Representation Across a Decade
The players listed have made their last appearances in the Europa League over a span of several years, highlighting how players over 40 years old have consistently competed at a high level across different seasons. This persistence underscores the exceptional fitness and skill levels required to compete in European competitions.Frequently Asked Questions
Who holds the record as the oldest player in the Europa League and how old was he?
Brad Friedel from Tottenham Hotspur holds the record as the oldest player in the Europa League at 42 years, 10 months, and 2 days.
What is the common role among the oldest players in the Europa League?
Among the oldest players, three out of five are goalkeepers.
How diverse is the club representation among the oldest players in the Europa League?
Players from the list represent clubs from five different countries: England, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and Italy.
Terms and Definitions
The UEFA Europa League is an annual football competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) for eligible European football clubs. Clubs qualify for the competition based on their performance in their national leagues and cup competitions.
The term 'player age' refers to the actual age of the football player at a specific point in time. It's important in sports due to factors like physicality, performance, and career duration, which often correlate with age.
International retirement is when a player decides to stop playing for their national team but may continue to play for their club. This decision often happens as players age and wish to reduce the physical demand of international competitions.
A goalkeeper is a player position in football. Their primary role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring by catching, palming or punching the ball from shots, headers and crosses.
An infield player in football refers to any player other than the goalkeeper. Infield players are typically divided into three categories, depending on their specific roles on the field: defenders, midfielders, and forwards.
Substitution in football is a tactical decision made during a game where one player is removed from play and replaced with another player from the bench. Teams use substitutions to implement tactical changes, manage player fatigue, or respond to player injury.
A clean sheet is a statistic in football where a goalkeeper or a team finishes a match without conceding any goals.
Club career refers to a footballer's overall professional journey while playing for football clubs, including transfers between clubs, career highlights, performance statistics, and honors achieved at club level.
A manager in football is a person responsible for running a football team. This includes making strategic decisions like setting up team formations, making substitutions during the game, managing player training, and overseeing team selection.
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