When Jess Fishlock scored at Euro 2025 at the age of 38, she not only scored for Wales but also made history as the oldest player to score at the women's European Championship.
Just a few weeks earlier, at Euro 2024, Portuguese defender Pepe had the stadium and the stands erupting – not because of a fierce tackle, but simply because he was playing at the age of 41.
Names like Cristiano Ronaldo (39), Luka Modric (38), Keylor Navas (38) continue to be present in the national team, showing that "peak performance" is no longer the privilege of the twenties.
Other sports have also seen remarkable longevity: Serena Williams won the Australian Open at the age of 35 and pregnant. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal both won Grand Slams at the age of 36.
Novak Djokovic, now 38, just won the 2024 Olympic gold medal and reached the semi-finals of all three Grand Slams in 2025.
In the US, Tom Brady only said goodbye at the age of 45 after 23 NFL seasons, while LeBron James is still playing excellently at the age of 39 and with the LA Lakers won the NBA Cup in 2023.
These achievements are not just a beautiful story of sport . They reflect a changing reality: age is no longer an absolute limit in top competition.
1. Smart training – personalized to every detail
Today, athletes no longer train “by feel” or by word of mouth.
They are supported by a multidisciplinary team of experts: from fitness coaches, sports scientists , nutritionists to performance analysts.
Thanks to GPS tracking technology, HRV (heart rate variability), biomarkers... coaches can adjust training programs precisely day by day, avoiding overload and preventing injuries - especially important for older athletes who need more time to recover from high intensity.
2. Injury prevention and modern sports medicine
Injuries used to be a “death sentence” for athletes over 30, especially anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.
But today, with the remarkable progress of endoscopic surgery, physical therapy and biological therapies, recovery time has been significantly shortened.
Zlatan Ibrahimović is a living example: at the age of 35, he returned to the pitch just seven months after rupturing his ligaments – something that would have been considered impossible a decade ago.
Regular musculoskeletal screening, combined with new technologies that help detect injury risks early before they become serious problems, is one of the silent weapons that helps prolong career longevity.
3. Optimized recovery and nutrition
As we age, our bodies need more intensive recovery. Today’s athletes use proactive recovery methods such as cryotherapy, muscle compression, deep massage, and circadian rhythm sleep training to reduce pain and speed tissue regeneration.
Nutrition is also key. Diets rich in polyphenols – such as berries, green vegetables, dark chocolate – are used to fight inflammation and promote vascular health. Additionally, supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, etc. help protect joints and slow down the degeneration process.
As a result, older athletes can still maintain the same training volume as when they were at their peak – something that was impossible just a few decades ago.
4. Experience – the weapon of time
Age may take away speed and power, but in return comes game knowledge, decision-making and spatial awareness – things that only come through accumulated playing time.
Legends like Paul Scholes and Andrés Iniesta adapted by changing their playing style: moving less but more precisely, passing the ball simply but more effectively. That's how they overcame the decline in physical fitness with tactics and thinking.
At the highest level, sometimes the difference is not in muscle, but in thinking.
5. Financial motivation and personal legacy
In the commercialized era of sports, athletes compete not just to win – but to build brands, create influence and secure financial security for the rest of their lives.
Cristiano Ronaldo is a prime example. The Portuguese superstar has just signed a contract extension until he is 42 with Al-Nassr, worth an estimated £492m.
For many athletes, continuing to compete is not only a passion, but also a long-term strategy to affirm their historical position and build a career off the field.
When age is just a number
No one can resist biological aging, but today's athletes are proving: we can delay it, tame it – and even shine at stages that seem long past.
With smart training, optimal recovery and advanced sports medicine, the age limit in elite sport is being erased every day.
Not only does this open the door to those once considered “too old to compete,” it also completely changes the way we view peak performance in world sport.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/ronaldo-hay-djokovic-vuot-qua-gioi-han-sinh-hoc-bang-cach-nao-158372.html
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