There is still something historic about it. Since 1930, only one outfield player over 40 has appeared in a men’s World Cup match: Roger Milla in 1994.
That is what makes the current generation so fascinating. Players such as Ronaldo, Modric, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski and Dzeko have turned longevity into part of their competitive edge, not just a sentimental subplot. The report notes that the average age in the Champions League rose by 1.6 years between 1992 and 2018, a sign of how the elite game has changed.
Paul Balsom said elite players now manage themselves “24/7”, and that feels like the real revolution.
Clubs now invest heavily in GPS tracking, physiotherapy, sleep, conditioning and individual routines. But there is a warning here too. Nutritionist Laurent Bannock called the supplements and specialist diet market a “minefield”, a reminder that hype still surrounds this space.
Sports science can extend a career, but it cannot create obsession. That is where the greats still stand apart. The report argues that players like Ronaldo and Modric are outliers because of discipline, motivation and relentless self-care.
That is the next storyline to watch as another World Cup cycle builds: not simply who is still playing, but who is still driven enough to matter when the biggest stage comes around again.