Lionel Messi celebrates his 30th birthday today to mark the beginning of a new phase in the Barcelona and Argentina star’s career.
There is a degree of trepidation whenever a player turns 30 as they start the decline after the period of their athletic prime.
But given Messi isn’t a player who necessarily relies on his athleticism there is no doubt he will remain at the pinnacle of world football for some time yet.
It got us thinking about other players who are 30 years old so we’ve put together an elite XI of players who are right now aged 30.
His recent blunder against Sweden aside, the France and Spurs captain remains one of the best stoppers in Europe.
He heads up a new generation of stars coming through at both club and national level but will no doubt be a key asset going forward after another exceptional campaign.
Hugo Lloris of Tottenham
The Brazilian is a real ebullient character away from the pitch and it probably skews his age as a result.
However, he returned to Chelsea from PSG last season and was at the heart of their Premier League triumph with his mature displays in Antoino Conte’s three-man defence.
Chelsea’s defender David Luiz
Juventus’ formidable defensive wall is one of the most revered in Europe and alongside Giorgio Chiellini, Bonucci has formed an almost impenetrable partnership – the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid an anomaly rather than the norm.
At 30 years of age, he is still one of the most sought-after defenders with Chelsea consistently linked with a move.
Juventus defender Leandro Bonucci
The Barcelona defender envisages a career as the club’s president once his playing days are over and has even been undertaking business degree.
Like most after hitting 30, Pique is evidently considering his next steps having celebrated his birthday in February but on the pitch he is still a key defensive lieutenant despite an injury/illness hit campaign.
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique
His wild hairstyles aren’t exactly the type you’d expect from your average 30-year-old but then again the Bayern Munich midfielder isn’t your typical footballer.
He enjoyed another tireless season for Munich to defy the anticipation that he would tail off having left Juventus as he began to enter his 30s. Vidal has even talked up playing for Chile until he is 40 recently.
Arturo Vidal of Bayern Munich
The former Barcelona and Arsenal creator was probably the most undeserving star to be regularly left out of Chelsea’s XI last season because he is still undoubtedly one of the most intelligent midfielders around.
He turned 30 last May and having voiced his disgruntlement at being dropped for the FA Cup final, Fabregas could well be angling for a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer to get more first-team football.
Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea
Mertens hit the 30 mark in May and celebrated that with a contract extension which will see him remain with Napoli until 2020.
He emerged as one of the most prolific forwards in Europe last season as he plundered 27 goals and added seven assists in 34 Serie A games.
Dries Mertens of Napoli
The one player on this list you would be forgiven for thinking was much older than 30. Indeed, the Monaco man seems to have been around for a long time having made a name for himself at Sporting and FC Porto.
He is though enjoying some of his best football at 30 with the Portugal international’s experience blending nicely with the Ligue 1 champions’ youthful exuberance.
Monaco’s Portuguese midfielder Joao Moutinho
The star attraction in this side and the newest member of the 30 club. He’s set to sign a new long-term contract with Barcelona and his intentions to retire at Camp Nou appear to becoming into fruition.
The Argentine has developed into one of the game’s greatest ever players and achievers, as he continues to tear up record books with more no doubt set to tumble in his 30s.
Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi
His ruthlessness in front of goal is, well, hit and miss but there’s no doubt the Uruguayan is one of the premier strikers in Europe as he delivered for PSG last season in the absence of a certain Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
He plundered 49 goals in 50 games in all competitions last term as he embraced the centre-forward position under Unai Emery and given how intelligent his movement is, he will continue to score goals well into his 30s.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani
Barcelona has made him a better player and of course he has made the Blaugrana a better team. Since leaving Liverpool, Suarez has gone from strength to strength and his tenacious talent has married perfectly with his ‘MSN’ counterparts Neymar and Messi.
With Messi’s birthday today it means two-thirds of the ‘MSN’ trio are now in their 30s with Neymar still five years away from hitting the mark.
Luis Suarez of Barcelona
