Nine footballers you had no idea were still playing – from Shinji Kagawa to Papiss Cisse

On Feb 23, 2023

A footballer’s career is a constant ticking timebomb with our heroes always only one ill-judged tackle away from having to call it a day.

Despite all the developments in nutrition, personalised gym programmes and post-match recovery, the average retirement age of a footballer remains around 34 years old. And once those boots are hung up for good, there’s no turning back – unless you’re Paul Scholes.

With that in mind Daily Star Sport sheds light on some world-class stars who are still going strong well into their 30s. From a 40-capped England international to a silky midfielder who recovered from eight operations, here are nine footballers you forgot were still playing…

Santi Cazorla

A firm favourite at the Emirates, Santi Cazorla spent six unforgettable seasons at Arsenal after signing from Malaga in a deal worth up to £10million.

The Spanish magician racked up 180 appearances for the Gunners, banking two FA Cups, and was voted the club’s Player of the Season for the 2012/13 campaign. Often deployed alongside Mesut Ozil in midfield, the duo’s passing ability was the envy of the Premier League but an injury to his Achilles tendon blighted the end of his time in north London.

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Santi Cazorla was signed by Xavi for Al Sadd
(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Cazorla required a skin graft following eight unsuccessful operations on his leg and it was feared he wouldn’t be able to walk again. Thankfully, though, the silky playmaker made a full recovery in 2018, whilst on the books at former side Villarreal.

He even returned to play for the Spanish national side, captaining them to victory during the second half of a 4-1 victory over the Faroe Islands. Cazorla, now 38, currently plies his trade in the Qatari Stars League with Al Sadd, where he was originally signed by ex-team-mate Xavi.

Roque Santa Cruz

Still banging in the goals 26 years after making his professional debut, Roque Santa Cruz now plies his trade back in his native Paraguay at Club Libertad, joining from league rivals and first club Olimpia Asuncion. The 41-year-old forward has since notched 14 goals for the Primera Division outfit with most of his 45 appearances coming from the substitutes bench.

The five-time Bundesliga champion became a cult hero at Blackburn Rovers, following a £3.5m deal in 2006. He finished the campaign as the club’s top goalscorer, banging in 23 in all competitions, and was named supporters Player of the Season.

He spent another season at Ewood Park before heading to Manchester City, as one of their star signings in the wake of the Abu Dhabi takeover, in an eye-watering £17.5m deal. The move reunited him with ex-Rovers boss Mark Hughes but the Welshman would only last until December and Santa Cruz was unable to replicate his success at the Etihad.

Phil Jagielka

Still going strong at the age of 40, Phil Jagielka spent 15 consecutive seasons in the Premier League with Sheffield United and Everton before dropping down to the Championship to join Derby County for the start of the 2021/22 season.

The 40-cap England international was twice named Everton’s Player and Players’ Player of the Season and is fondly remembered for a last-minute rocket at Anfield in 2014, securing a point in the Merseyside derby.

Coming through the ranks at Bramall Lane, the defender returned to his former side upon their promotion back to the Premier League but opted to join Derby at the end of their two-year stint in the top flight.

He made 20 appearances for the Rams as Wayne Rooney‘s side battled against relegation up until January but was unable to extend his short-term contract due to an embargo placed on the club by administrators. Jagielka then penned a deal at Championship rivals Stoke City until the end of the season before extending his contract in the summer.

The centre-back has made 19 appearances this season, scoring in wins over Sheffield United and Huddersfield Town.

Kevin Mirallas

Spending five seasons in the Premier League at Goodison Park, 35-year-old Kevin Mirallas is now enjoying the twilight years of his career in Cyprus. The Belgian international registered 38 goals and 19 assists for the Toffees following a £6m move from Olympiacos, where he finished as the division’s top scorer the previous season.

But Mirallas was permitted to leave Merseyside on a free transfer in 2019 after spending the previous two campaigns out on loan. Later turning out for Royal Antwerp, Gaziantep and Moreirense, he then joined AEL Limassol in July.

Mirallas has penned a one-year deal with the Cyprian first-division side and currently plays alongside ex-West Bromwich Albion and Stoke forward Saido Berahino. AEL sit eighth in the table after 23 matches and Mirallas has bagged two goals so far this season.

Diego Lopez

41-year-old goalkeeper Diego Lopez is still unable to give up the gloves with the ex-Real Madrid and Sevilla shot-stopper now amassing over 673 appearances since making his debut shortly after the turn of the Millennium.

Despite relegation from La Liga in 2020, the Spaniard stayed at Espanyol for his best-ever season, conceding just 25 goals in 40 matches as the club claimed the Segunda Division title. He started 36 of their 38 matches back in the top flight, helping Los Pericos maintain their divisional status, before being released at the end of the season.

The 6ft 5 keeper then signed for Rayo Vallecano in the summer and made his debut in a 3-1 defeat to UD Almeria. It remains his only appearance of the season.

Fabio da Silva

Ex-Manchester United defender Fabio da Silva has joined twin brother Rafael back in Brazil with both siblings now playing against each other in the Brasileiro Serie A.

Fabio was just 21 when he started the Champions League final in 2011 and is still as ubiquitous as ever 12 years later. The flying full-back was twice relegated from the Premier League at Cardiff City and Middlesbrough before leaving Teesside for Nantes following Boro’s failed play-off campaign.

After 91 appearances for the Ligue 1 side, Fabio returned back to his homeland, signing a two-year deal with Gremio. The southern Brazilians also employ ex-Barcelona and Liverpool ace Luis Suarez. Fabio will face off against twin brother Rafael when Gremio meet Botafogo in July and November.

Papiss Cisse

Pappiss Cisse is still banging them in at 37
(Image: Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Bagging 44 goals in 131 matches as Newcastle United made a European resurgence under Alan Pardew, Papiss Cisse now plies his trade in Ligue 2.

The former Senegal international has played in China and predominantly Turkey since leaving St. James’ Park, upon Newcastle’s relegation to the Championship, but relocated back to France when his contract expired at Caykur Rizespor.

The forward penned a one-year deal at Amiens on the final day of August, blasting in six goals in 15 matches as the club battle for an unlikely promotion spot – ex-Fulham and Sunderland striker Josh Maja currently tops the scoring charts with 11.

Shinji Kagawa

Shinji Kagawa was a £17m arrival from Borussia Dortmund in 2012, playing just two seasons at Man Utd before he was annexed back to Signal Iduna Park. Despite that, he did still manage to pick up a Premier League winner’s medal during Sir Alex Ferguson‘s final act.

The honour saw him bank three consecutive European titles after successive Bundesliga crowns. The Japanese midfielder spent five seasons back at Dortmund following his short stint in Manchester before later turning out at Real Zaragoza, PAOK and Belgian side Sint-Truiden.

Now aged 33, Kagawa returned to his native Japan in January joining boyhood club Cerezo Osaka on a free transfer. He made his debut in a 2-2 draw against Albirex Niigata last month, coming off the bench for the final 19 minutes.

Charlie Austin

After just seven matches for Brisbane Roar, Charlie Austin recently re-signed for Swindon Town on a contract until the end of the 2022/23 season. The ex-QPR and Southampton striker, famed for his incredible VAR Parklife rant, bagged a goal on his second debut as The Robins thrashed Grimsby 5-0.

He then went one better by bagging a brace in a thrilling 3-3 draw at home to Gillingham but, after three consecutive defeats, Jody Morris’ side remain a way off the play-off places. Now aged 33, Austin is only four goals behind top scorer Jonny Williams, having played 19 games less than the Wales international.