Footballers You Won't Believe Are Still Playing in 2026

Football moves quickly, and it's easy to forget about players once they leave Europe's biggest leagues. While many fans assume these household names have retired, they're all still playing professionally around the world. Here's a nostalgic XI featuring former Premier League stars, Champions League winners and international icons who are still lacing up their boots.

Goalkeeper - David Ospina
Age: 37
Country: Colombia
Current Club: Atlante

One of Colombia's greatest-ever goalkeepers, Ospina made over 100 appearances for Arsenal before enjoying a successful spell with Napoli. He has since returned home to Atlético Nacional, but this week signed with Mexican outfit Atlante.

Right Back- Victor Moses
Age: 35
Country: Nigeria
Current Club: FC Kaysar

Best remembered for his Premier League-winning campaign under Antonio Conte at Chelsea, Moses has enjoyed a globe-trotting career. Alongside Chelsea, he has played for Crystal Palace, Wigan Athletic, Liverpool, Stoke City, West Ham, Spartak Moscow and Luton Town before his move to Kazakhstan.

Centre Back - Raul Albiol
Age: 40
Country: Spain
Current Club: Pisa

A World Cup and European Championship winner with Spain, Albiol has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning two decades. The experienced centre-back has represented Valencia, Getafe, Real Madrid, Napoli, Villarreal and now Pisa in Italy.

Centre Back - Dante
Age: 42
Country: Brazil
Current Club: Nice

Many remember Dante from Bayern Munich's treble-winning side in 2013. The Brazilian defender has remarkably remained in Ligue 1 with Nice well into his 40s after previously starring for Bayern, Borussia Monchengladbach, Wolfsburg, Charleroi and Lille.

Left Back - Layvin Kurzawa
Age: 33
Country: France
Current Club: Persib Bandung

Kurzawa was once regarded as one of Europe's brightest left-backs during his time at Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain. After winning numerous Ligue 1 titles with PSG, he has continued his career in Portugal with Boavista, and most recently is playing in Indonesia.

Centre Midfielder - Ever Banega
Age: 38
Country: Argentina
Current Club: Defensa y Justicia

One of Argentina's most technically gifted midfielders of his generation, Banega won the Europa League three times with Sevilla. His career has also included spells at Boca Juniors, Valencia, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Al-Shabab and Newell's Old Boys before joining Defensa y Justicia.

Centre Midfielder - Shinji Kagawa
Age: 37
Country: Japan
Current Club: Cerezo Osaka

Kagawa became a fan favourite at Borussia Dortmund before joining Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson. After spells with Besiktas, Real Zaragoza, PAOK and Sint-Truiden, he returned to his boyhood club Cerezo Osaka, where he still plays today.

Centre Midfielder - Radja Nainggolan
Age: 38
Country: Belgium
Current Club: Lokeren-Temse

Known for his aggressive style and thunderous long-range shots, Nainggolan was one of Serie A's best midfielders during his peak. He played for Piacenza, Cagliari, Roma, Inter Milan, Royal Antwerp, SPAL and Bhayangkara before returning to Belgium.

Left Winger - Nani
Age: 39
Country: Portugal
Current Club: FC Aktobe

The former Manchester United winger came out of retirement in 2026 to join Kazakhstan's FC Aktobe. During a glittering career he won four Premier League titles and the Champions League with United, while also playing for Sporting CP, Fenerbahce, Valencia, Lazio, Orlando City, Venezia, Melbourne Victory, Adana Demirspor and Estrela Amadora.

Striker - Salomon Rondon
Age: 36
Country: Venezuela
Current Club: Pachuca

Rondon remains Venezuela's all-time leading goalscorer and was still finding the net in Spain last season. Fans will remember his Premier League spells with West Brom, Newcastle United and Everton, while he has also represented Malaga, Rubin Kazan, Zenit, Dalian Professional, CSKA Moscow, River Plate and now is at Pachuca.

Right Wing - Adel Taarabt
Age: 37
Country: Morocco
Current Club: Sharjah FC

One of the most gifted dribblers of his generation, Taarabt became a cult hero after inspiring QPR to the Championship title in 2010/11. His incredible flair earned him comparisons to Ronaldinho during his peak. Since then, he has represented Fulham, Tottenham, AC Milan, Benfica, Genoa and now Sharjah FC in the UAE, where he continues to play professionally.