It is known to all that seniority is a degree. And even more so in an elite sport like professional football, in which the level of quality is, over time, growing.
SAnd football has been characterized by something since its appearance, due to the early retirement age of its participants. At least, in a high performance environment, such as LaLiga Santander and LaLiga SmartBank. But now, year after year, that is changing and the viewer can enjoy more and more stars that resist hanging up their boots and are facing 40 years in the final stretch of their profession and in top form.
But why can players now retire later? The advance in sports medicine is the main cause of this, but also the predisposition and attitude of the player towards the great goal of extending his career in the sport of the ball. Currently, each player has at their disposal a high amount of information about their physical condition, which years ago was unthinkable. And among all these improvements, we can point out four key aspects:
Psychology
Diet
Injury prevention
The training
Psychology
The advancement in the mental aspect is very significant. Players are now able to learn to interpret the game and, most importantly, to adapt to the rhythm, style and role they must play based on their physical condition.
Diet
This is another of the most important aspects and that 'forces' professional footballers to prepare themselves as true athletes. A strict diet control maintains an optimal physical state, lengthens it over time and considerably minimizes the risk of injury.
Injury prevention
It is something without which elite football of the 21st century would not be understood. One of the main setbacks for a player who, until very recently, could be a direct cause of premature withdrawal. Now, muscle condition monitoring techniques help anticipate possible future problems of this type. In addition, the quality that is required of the LaLiga playing fields also helps reduce the risk of injury.
The training
Daily work prior to the competition has improved substantially in quality and quantity, as there are more and more members in the technical staff of teams that are professionals from different areas of high performance.
In LaLiga Santander, thanks to all these advances we can enjoy, today, those 'war veterans' who are still at the highest level on the pitch every weekend.
# MUJERTENÍAQUESER->
Joaquín Sánchez
(38 years)
The Real Betis captain is the clear example of a long-lived player with extraordinary performance. He is still a reference in his team and an idol for his fans. He has seven goals this course and before Athletic Club he became the most veteran player in the history of LaLiga in scoring three goals in a match, beating Alfredo Di Stéfano.
# MUJERTENÍAQUESER->
Diego Lopez
(38 years)
The starting goalkeeper of the RCD Espanyol of Barcelona has played more than 500 professional games since his debut in 2006 and has defended goals such as Real Madrid, Villarreal CF, Sevilla FC or AC Milan, also being international with the Spanish team . Currently, it is still at an excellent level in the Catalan team.
Photo: RFET
# MUJERTENÍAQUESER->
Aritz Aduriz
(38 years)
The oldest player to play a game this season at LaLiga Santander will turn 39 on February 11. Almost 300 goals since its premiere in the league competition in 2002 place it as one of the legends of our active football. The years do not weigh him and a good example of this is the goal of Chile with which he opened the 2019-20 season for Athletic Club in San Mamés, against FC Barcelona.
# MUJERTENÍAQUESER->
Jorge Molina
(37 years)
Almost 200 goals as a professional endorse him, although he does not raise the accelerator's foot. The Alicante is a key piece in the 'EuroGetafe' by José Bordalás and remains one of the most dangerous strikers of the competition within the area. The years pass, but the instinct is not lost.
# MUJERTENÍAQUESER->
Save Seville
(35 years)
The Andalusian player, with more than 400 games behind him, returned this season to LaLiga Santander after chaining two consecutive promotions with RCD Mallorca. While in the ranks of the RCD Espanyol in Barcelona, playing in the first competition, he decided to sign for the vermilions, who were then in Second B. He took the helm of the team and returned him to the elite expressly.
# MUJERTENÍAQUESER->
Charles Dias
(35 years)
The Spanish-Brazilian arrived in 2004 in our football and, since then, has punched the rival goal more than 150 times. The SD Eibar player was also Pichichi of LaLiga SmartBank in 2013 and currently has seven consecutive seasons in LaLiga Santander.
# MUJERTENÍAQUESER->
Santi Cazorla
(35 years)
The Spaniard, who was about to hang his boots due to injuries, is the clear example of what was explained previously. He has been 'reborn' in Villarreal CF at an excellent level, even re-dressing the shirt of the Spanish team and being one of the most decisive players in the competition.
# MUJERTENÍAQUESER->
Ivan Cuellar
(35 years)
The goalkeeper of the CD Leganés accumulates almost 350 matches in his career and remains a reference wherever he goes. He has been three consecutive seasons as the starting goalkeeper of a team that signed his promotion in 2016.