When you get to thirty, certain sports and exercises don’t come quite as easy as they used to. With this in mind, can you still play soccer in your thirties? And if so, what do you need to think about before taking to the field? Let’s find out.
Can you play soccer in your thirties?
Yes, you can still play soccer in your thirties. In fact, many players carry on until their forties; it just depends on your fitness levels, as well as the nature of the matches you’re competing in. While many people agree that soccer players reach their peak in their mid-twenties, some of the best players in the world are in their thirties (just look at Messi and Ronaldo!). Let’s find out what it means to play soccer in your thirties below.
What’s the best age to stop playing soccer?
It’s difficult to say exactly when you should stop playing soccer, as everyone is different. However, lots of people agree that players tend to be past their peak by the time they reach thirty.
We looked at the age of decline in soccer in a recent blog post and agree that thirty is often the age that soccer players start thinking about retirement.
But that being said, most soccer players play until their mid-late thirties, rather than stopping as soon as they hit the big 3-0. Therefore, most players have a whole decade in front of them when they turn thirty!
To answer the question directly, the best age to stop playing soccer is when you feel like your body can’t cope with the physical aspects of the game anymore. For some people, this might be 35; for others, it might be 40. It really just depends on your physical condition.
Remember that age is just a number and if you don’t feel like your soccer game is affected by your age, then carry on playing as normal! But there are some things to think about when you get a little older, as we explore throughout.
Do pro soccer players still play in their thirties?
Yes, the vast majority of soccer players continue playing into their thirties. A recent piece by Forbes found that players peak around the age of 27, which is considerably older than it had been in the nineties (24).
The research suggests that players are peaking at a later age and continuing their careers for longer because of investments in recovery technology that support players to continue for longer.
Therefore, when pros make it to the age of thirty, they have no reason to stop playing at the highest level. Many of the most celebrated players in the world – Ronaldo, and Messi being great examples – are well into their thirties and showing little sign of decline.
This shows us that age is very much just a number, and given the incredible shape that pro soccer players keep themselves in, there’s absolutely no reason why they can’t continue playing long into their thirties.
Are injuries more likely in your thrities?
In some respects, injuries are more likely to occur as you get older. This is due to wear and tear on your joints, as well as the fact that you’re not quite as fit as you once were. This can lead to more frequent tears, or muscle pulls.
But if you keep yourself in good shape, there’s no reason why you will become a lot more susceptible to injuries all of a sudden. Working out, warming up, and training regularly will all help you keep in shape and will reduce your likelihood of getting injured, whether you’re above or below thirty years old.
Five tips for playing soccer in your thirties
Now that we’ve explained that playing soccer long into your thirties is completely possible, we want to provide you with some top tips on how to prolong your career so you don’t experience age-related decline out on the field:
Look after your body
As you get older, it becomes even more important to look after your body. You should work out during the week and train with your team before playing a competitive match. Simply turning up to the field to play will become harder as you get older.
You also need to listen to what your body is telling you and allocate sufficient time for rest. Your muscles and joints will be less flexible as you get older, so you need to make sure you don’t overwork them.
Consider the level you’re playing at
Soccer players at all levels of the game think about the current level that they’re playing at. Naturally, everyone wants to play at the highest possible level, to try and become the best in the business.
But when you hit thirty, you might find that evaluating the league you’re currently playing in might be a smart move. If you’re struggling to keep up with the younger players you’re playing against; it might be time to shift to a more appropriate level so you can still enjoy the game.
Adapt your positioning
Something that you may have noticed about older soccer players is that they adapt the way they play the game. Cristiano Ronaldo is a wonderful example of this. He no longer tries to beat players with explosive pace, instead dropping into the penalty area to try and score as a central striker.
This tactic can be employed by anyone, no matter your position. As you get older, you become more experienced, and you can read the game better. Put this knowledge of soccer to your advantage and adapt your positioning so your age doesn’t affect your performance too severely.
Warm-up and cool-down
Although you might think that this is an obvious thing to say, make sure you always leave time to warm up and cool down before and after your soccer games. Failing to do this will heighten the risk of injuries when you play soccer in your thirties.
It doesn’t have to be anything over the top. Just spend 10-15 minutes warming up and cooling down properly, and your body will thank you as a result!
Look for other ways to enjoy the game
While you don’t need to retire right away, thirty is the age when you’re probably starting to think about hanging up your boots. Whether it’s in 2, 5, or 10 years, starting to think about how else you can participate in soccer is a good idea.
You might start coaching or refereeing, depending on your interests. Or you might like to commit to supporting a soccer team full time whenever you stop playing the game. Just because you might be thinking of retiring from playing, it doesn’t mean you can’t continue to enjoy the beautiful game!
The verdict: How to play soccer in your thirties
People all around the world continue playing soccer in their thirties. Whether you play small-sided games with your buddies or full 11-a-side matches, you can play well into your thirties, providing you look after your body.
Hopefully, you can see that age is just a number when it comes to soccer, and you don’t need to let it define you. We hope that you continue playing the beautiful game long into the future and continue to get as much enjoyment out of it as you always have.