Athletes who competed into their 40s and beyond

Having played in over 2,000 professional games, Jaromír Jágr has had one of the longest careers in professional ice hockey history. Regarded as one of the best while playing for nine NHL teams, he later moved back to his native Czech Republic to play for the hockey league team where he got his start, HC Kladno. He's also the owner of the team!

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Phil Mickelson -

Nicknamed Lefty, golfer Phil Mickelson has won 45 events on the PGA Tour, including six major championships. At age 52, he's still active.

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Kazuyoshi Miura -

Often known simply as Kazu, the Japanese soccer star has the world's longest professional soccer career, and is the oldest professional soccer player in the world at 55.

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Vince Carter -

An eight-time All-Star, Vince Carter made his NBA debut in 1999 and retired in 2020, at 43 years old and after a record 22 seasons.

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Satchel Paige -

Satchel Paige officially got his start in the major leagues at the age of 42. Previously, he had played for the Negro Leagues before professional baseball was desegregated.

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Dara Torres -

At 41, Dara Torres took home three silver medals from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Her Olympic career spanned 24 years, from 1984 to 2008.

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George Foreman -

At age 45, George Foreman reclaimed the heavyweight title by winning a fight against Michael Moorer. This made him the oldest fighter ever to win the World Heavyweight Championship.

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Brett Favre -

After retiring from the NFL twice, Brett Favre returned to the league in 2009, the same year he turned 40. He led the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC Championship Game before retiring for good in 2010.

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar -

During his 20 seasons in the NBA with the Bucks and the Lakers, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a record 19-time NBA All-Star. He retired in 1989 at the age of 42.

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Barry Bonds -

The same year baseball player Barry Bonds turned 40, he won his seventh National League MVP award. During his final season with the MLB two years later, he was an All-Star for the San Francisco Giants.

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Jerry Rice -

Jerry Rice turned 40 in 2002 and continued playing in the NFL until 2006. With 303 games under his belt, he has the NFL records for most receptions with 1,549, and the most receiving yards at 22,895.

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Paolo Maldini -

The former AC Milan and Italian national team player had a long senior career that spanned from 1984 to 2009. Nicknamed Il Capitano ("The Captain"), he's considered one of the greatest defenders of all time. He retired at the age of 41.

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Dikembe Mutombo -

After turning 40 in 2006, Dikembe Mutombo became the oldest player in NBA history to record more than 20 rebounds in a game, with 22 rebounds. He retired at the of 42.

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Pete Rose -

After turning 41, Pete Rose went on to make the NL All-Star team for the second year in a row. In 1985, at the age of 44, he broke the record with his 4,192nd hit during a game against the Padres. He retired in 1986.

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Francesco Totti -

The Italian former soccer player played solely for Roma and the Italy national team during his career. He got his start in 1992 and retired in 2017, at the age of 40.

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Gordie Howe -

After turning 40, Gordie Howe continued to play for the NHL. He retired at 52, returning briefly at age 69 with a one-game contract with the Detroit Vipers.

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Romário -

The Brazilian politician is better known for having achieved worldwide fame as one of the greatest soccer players ever. The striker retired at the age of 43 in 2009 after a career that spanned 23 years.

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Hank Aaron -

The year Hank Aaron turned 40, he hit his 715th home run in a game against the Dodgers, making him the home run champion of 1974. He passed away in 2021 at the age of 86.

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Jack Nicklaus -

The year Jack Nicklaus turned 40, he won his fourth US Open and his fifth PGA championship. Six years later, at age 46, Nicklaus won his sixth Masters.

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Javier Zanetti -

The Argentine soccer star retired at the age of 41 after a career of almost 20 years. He was best known for playing for Inter Milan, between 1995 and 2014.

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Nolan Ryan -

Widely considered one of the best MLB pitchers of all time, Nolan Ryan played for four teams, the Mets, Angels, Astros, and Rangers, spanning four decades. He retired in 1993, at the age of 46.

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Martina Navratilova -

After having retired for five years, Martina Navratilova returned to the court at age 44, primarily playing doubles. She went on to win 12 more doubles titles and an additional three mixed doubles Grand Slams, all before turning 50.

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Claudio Pizarro -

The retired Peruvian soccer player was a striker for many years. Having had a long career in Germany, he's regarded as a living legend of the Bundesliga. He retired at the age of 41 in 2020.

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Ichiro Suzuki -

Former baseball outfielder Ichiro Suzuki played professionally for 28 seasons. He played both in his home country, Japan, and in the US from 1992 to 2019.

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Ryan Giggs -

The Welsh former soccer player spent his entire professional career with Manchester United, from 1990 to 2014. He called it quits at age 40.

Sources: (Men's Health) (The Roanoke Times)

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Tom Brady -

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Zlatan Ibrahimović -

Zlatan Ibrahimović is regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time. The Swedish soccer star has won over 30 trophies and scored over 570 career goals since his debut.

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Venus Williams -

Active since 1994, superstar tennis player Venus Williams has won seven Grand Slam titles and four Olympic gold medals. And she's not done yet!

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Gianluigi Buffon -

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Tiger Woods -

Tiger Woods went pro when he was just 20 years old, and has continued to be one of the best golfers and highest-earning athletes since.

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Jaromír Jágr -

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Phil Mickelson -

Nicknamed Lefty, golfer Phil Mickelson has won 45 events on the PGA Tour, including six major championships. At age 52, he's still active.

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Kazuyoshi Miura -

Often known simply as Kazu, the Japanese soccer star has the world's longest professional soccer career, and is the oldest professional soccer player in the world at 55.

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Vince Carter -

An eight-time All-Star, Vince Carter made his NBA debut in 1999 and retired in 2020, at 43 years old and after a record 22 seasons.

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Satchel Paige -

Satchel Paige officially got his start in the major leagues at the age of 42. Previously, he had played for the Negro Leagues before professional baseball was desegregated.

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Dara Torres -

At 41, Dara Torres took home three silver medals from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Her Olympic career spanned 24 years, from 1984 to 2008.

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George Foreman -

At age 45, George Foreman reclaimed the heavyweight title by winning a fight against Michael Moorer. This made him the oldest fighter ever to win the World Heavyweight Championship.

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12 / 31 Fotos

Brett Favre -

After retiring from the NFL twice, Brett Favre returned to the league in 2009, the same year he turned 40. He led the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC Championship Game before retiring for good in 2010.

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar -

During his 20 seasons in the NBA with the Bucks and the Lakers, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a record 19-time NBA All-Star. He retired in 1989 at the age of 42.

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Barry Bonds -

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Jerry Rice -

Jerry Rice turned 40 in 2002 and continued playing in the NFL until 2006. With 303 games under his belt, he has the NFL records for most receptions with 1,549, and the most receiving yards at 22,895.

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Paolo Maldini -

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Dikembe Mutombo -

After turning 40 in 2006, Dikembe Mutombo became the oldest player in NBA history to record more than 20 rebounds in a game, with 22 rebounds. He retired at the of 42.

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Pete Rose -

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Francesco Totti -

The Italian former soccer player played solely for Roma and the Italy national team during his career. He got his start in 1992 and retired in 2017, at the age of 40.

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Gordie Howe -

After turning 40, Gordie Howe continued to play for the NHL. He retired at 52, returning briefly at age 69 with a one-game contract with the Detroit Vipers.

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21 / 31 Fotos

Romário -

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Hank Aaron -

The year Hank Aaron turned 40, he hit his 715th home run in a game against the Dodgers, making him the home run champion of 1974. He passed away in 2021 at the age of 86.

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Jack Nicklaus -

The year Jack Nicklaus turned 40, he won his fourth US Open and his fifth PGA championship. Six years later, at age 46, Nicklaus won his sixth Masters.

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Javier Zanetti -

The Argentine soccer star retired at the age of 41 after a career of almost 20 years. He was best known for playing for Inter Milan, between 1995 and 2014.

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Nolan Ryan -

Widely considered one of the best MLB pitchers of all time, Nolan Ryan played for four teams, the Mets, Angels, Astros, and Rangers, spanning four decades. He retired in 1993, at the age of 46.

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Martina Navratilova -

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Claudio Pizarro -

The retired Peruvian soccer player was a striker for many years. Having had a long career in Germany, he's regarded as a living legend of the Bundesliga. He retired at the age of 41 in 2020.

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Ichiro Suzuki -

Former baseball outfielder Ichiro Suzuki played professionally for 28 seasons. He played both in his home country, Japan, and in the US from 1992 to 2019.

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Ryan Giggs -

The Welsh former soccer player spent his entire professional career with Manchester United, from 1990 to 2014. He called it quits at age 40.

Sources: (Men's Health) (The Roanoke Times)

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Athletes who competed into their 40s and beyond

Curious to find out who they are?

24/09/24 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Sports

Everyone reaches their physical peak in their mid-20s, and athletes are no different. Being a professional athlete also means lots of wear and tear on the body, which is why the majority retire young.

Federer is just one example of a star athlete who continued to perform at the highest level until the age of 40 and beyond. From soccer stars to basketball greats, several sports legends have had exceptionally long careers.

Want to know who they are? Then check out this gallery!