While 18-year-old Youssoufa Moukoko is impressively starting the next step in his professional career in Dortmund, 37-year-old Luka Modric is experiencing his fourth spring in Madrid.
There are almost twenty years between the two top players — both offensive players have their justification, their strengths and their weaknesses.
National coach Hansi Flick has now also reacted just in time for the soccer World Cup and has now finally sent Mats Hummels into soccer retirement. And that even though Hummels played a strong first series at BVB. Flick himself had justified the end of the World Cup for Hummels with a view to younger central defenders. “He has excellent form, is in top shape and a very valuable player for Dortmund.”, said Flick about the 2014 World Champion as a result of the squad announcement. But he must also “have a bit of an eye on the future.”
A question that resonates like a sword of Damocles about this discussion: Is there an age limit in soccer?
If you believe the popular saying, you would reach the soccer peak of your career at the tender age of 27, 28. Despite improved medical support and a constantly optimised diet over the past few years, the average age of players playing in the Bundesliga has continued to fall.
Last season was 25 years and seven months — ten years ago it was 26 years and four months. An age limit in soccer that Japanese player Miura Kazuyoshi can only smile tiredly about. The FC Yokohama striker has even extended his current contract once again at the age of 54. “King Kazu”, as he is also known, will thus enter his 36th professional season.
Even for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who seems to have fallen out of time at just under 40 years of age, age is only a number and cannot be a sign of quality. Even at 40, the Swede at AC Milan gives the impression that soccer careers can be endless.
There are also a few studies that attempt to address this issue. A study based on the Spanish First and Second Division examined the effectiveness of older players — with interesting results:
In summary, there is therefore much evidence that players in the U20 age group can — or must — expend more energy on the pitch. This means that they have to chase lost balls more often and also less likely to have the experience of the old swords.
They often know exactly when hunting is worthwhile and when energy saving mode should be switched on.
YOUR SPORTY FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH Start now with the B42 app for soccer players.
So let's get back to the question of a soccer player's half-life. In soccer academies, young talents are currently maturing into Bundesliga players faster than Erling Haaland sprints 100 meters.
Talents such as Youssoufa Moukoko, Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala play impressively and consistently well in the Bundesliga even at the age of 16 or 17.
However, a balanced measure is the only true key to success.
Because when the lightning-fast youngster appears to be prancing forward on the outside, but his flank is the only taker to find the safety fence behind the goal for the sixth time in a row, it is an experienced player who should show him how it works.
If, after two decent games, the team's chick thinks he is the next Xaví and tries things in his own sixteen-meter space for which his body is even less prepared than for the next team evening, who should “ground” him again?
That's right, a player with experience. Someone who has already experienced so much in his career that he fills entire team trips with it. Who, despite his age, is still passionate about this sport. Who is ready to show the boy something. Even if they replace him in his position.
Experienced players are particularly important in amateur sports — they stick together and are happy to share their experiences.
One of them is Georg Hartmann, who is called “Schorsch Sport” by everyone. At 60 years of age and the B42 training app, the A-Class legend took off. Even at the age of 60, he is still actively playing soccer — in an ordinary men's team.
However, “Schorsch Sport” is not on the pitch with these 20 to 30-year-olds because he had a fight with the Old Men's team or because they wanted to make him happy.
Georg Hartmann is an essential part of this team. And when you watch him straddle, read his game, see him winning duel after duel, you know why that is the case.
And anyone who tries to identify age-related signs of wear and tear after one hour of training feels that they have learned otherwise. Schorsch Sport straddles, fits, flanks, shoots. Schorsch Sport is one of them.
“When I'm in training, I'm one of them. Then I'm like 20 or 30, then there's no difference.”
You listen to him, feel his energy, see the sparkle in his eyes and realize once again: Football is more than just a sport — for YOUNG and OLD.
Quitting in the midst of a global pandemic that is restrictive for amateur soccer is anything but worthy:
Not a final farewell game. No substitute for a standing ovation. Not a public thank you.
Many soccer players are therefore certainly faced with the question of adding another year or receiving a silent exit through the back door.
We certainly can't answer that question. But we can help you if you've decided that it's far from over for you.
You are still hungry for success and want to continue playing injury-free and successful soccer for as long as possible: With our app for IOS and Android — including our free training programs for players and teams — you can work on the foundations of an incomparable season.
Be fearless. Be focused. B42
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