Many casual and recreational football players hang up their football boots in their late 30s, with the physical toll just too much to take. And we’re not talking about any sort of high-level action here. We don’t mean pros, semi-pros or even very good amateurs. We are talking about the sort of sportspeople who played just for fun, without ever seriously believing they could “make it”.
The same is true across many sports. While some cricket, rugby, football and other clubs will have the occasional stalwart continuing into their 50s and beyond, most people find the stress and strain is just too much for their body once they hit 40.
And yet in recent times, we have seen some truly astonishing athletes perform at the very, very highest into their late 30s and even beyond. The latest 40+ sports star to generate headlines has been Jimmy Anderson. The bowling legend, set to be knighted this year, was born in July 1982, and it was recently announced that he would extend his playing career into 2026.
Sir Jimmy Keeps on Going
Anderson, the fast bowler with the most Test wickets ever and also England’s top man, made his senior Lancashire debut in 2000. His professional cricket career has lasted over a quarter of a century and having retired from international cricket in 2024, he has continued to perform at the highest domestic level with Lancashire.
He’s not finished yet!
James Anderson, who turns 44 next summer, is reportedly set to continue his playing career with Lancashire for another season 🌹#CountyCricket pic.twitter.com/B8wHcLDIT4
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) October 16, 2025
Due to his fine performances for his home county in T20 action he even earned his first place in franchise cricket, playing for the Manchester originals in The Hundred. His contract extension to cover the 2026 season means he will be in action beyond his 44th birthday, while he has previously said that he thought he could play till 45. Given how well he did last season, who knows, he may even feel fit enough to play on beyond that!
CR7 in Search of 1,000
Perhaps the poster boy, or man, for the world of sporting over-40s, is Cristiano Ronaldo. The supremely fit footballer holds so many records in football, but recently set yet another one. He turned 40 early in 2025, but on the 14th of October his double against Hungary meant he became the record scorer in World Cup qualification history.
He now boasts 41 goals in 50 such matches, this record adding to his leading number of international goals and appearances, plus the many benchmarks he has set at club level. He has played 225 times for Portugal and could well appear in his 12th major tournament next summer. He currently has 948 career goals and is, it is believed, desperate to make it to 1,000!
Brady Also a 40+ GOAT
Ronaldo is, at the very least, in the debate about who the football GOAT is. When it comes to American football, the same is true of Tom Brady. The New England Patriots legend is 48 now and finally retired in 2023, having done so more than once previously before changing his mind.
He played in the NFL for 23 seasons, winning seven Super Bowl titles, which is more than any other player… and more than any team! He was named MVP in five of those, including in Super Bowl LV when he led Tampa to glory at the age of 43!
LeBron James Not Stopping Yet
Another US sporting GOAT showing that turning 40 is nothing to fear is basketball icon LeBron James. Now so old he has appeared alongside his son, James will turn 41 before 2025 is out. He has four NBA Championships to his name, being named MVP in all four of his wins.
He went past 50,000 career points in March 2025 and holds a host of NBA records, including for his 21 selections for the All-Star Game. He is also the record points-scorer in the play-offs and the regular season, and once again, who knows how long he will keep setting and extending records?
Djokovic Next?
Novak Djokovic is widely considered to be the greatest tennis player of all time. He has several stats to back that up, the most obvious being his record haul of Grand Slam titles and his 428 weeks as world number one – more than any other player. He also boasts the most weeks in the top two (599) and top three (756), and has been phenomenally consistent for an unbelievable length of time.
The Serb holds far too many records to list, but recently said he has been inspired by some of the stars mentioned above to try and carry on playing into his 40s. He is now a mere babe at just 38, and his last Grand Slam win was back at the end of 2023. However, he made the last four at all four Slams last year and clearly believes he has what it takes to land at least one more major. Long renowned for his fitness and commitment, as good as the new kids on the tennis block are, we won’t be writing Novak off just yet.