Algeria Football – During the current Euro, the advanced age of certain players is not an exception, but almost a norm. Every team has at least one or two veterans, and some are even over forty, playing crucial roles. This stands in stark contrast to calls in Algeria for players like Mahrez and Mandi to retire solely because of their age, not for physical or technical reasons.
Take the example of Jan Vertonghen, captain of the Belgian defense and star of Anderlecht, aged over 37. After playing in various championships, notably in Portugal with Benfica and Sporting Lisbon, he shone for several seasons with Tottenham. At the Euro, he remains one of the best defenders. Likewise, the phenomenon Pepe, at 41, impressed during the Portugal-Turkey match, hoping to clinch a second European title and participate in the 2026 World Cup at 43. His legendary teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, aged 39, is still a key player for Portugal and also plans to play at the 2026 World Cup.
Each Euro team has older players: the Croatian Luka Modrić, 39 years old, the Pole Robert Lewandowski, 36 years old, and the French Olivier Giroud, 38 years old next September, on whom France is counting to win the tournament .
High-level performance is not linked to age, but to physical fitness. Lionel Messi continues to shine with Argentina in Latin America. In Europe, age seems to open up new opportunities for seasoned players. However, voices are being raised in Algeria to push players like Riyad Mahrez, 33, to retire, although he will be 35 at the next World Cup, an age at which many of his European counterparts still excel. The same goes for Islam Slimani, 36, compared to older strikers like Lewandowski, Giroud and Ronaldo. Yacine Brahimi, 32, is younger than several other Euro stars.
Thus, the current Euro demonstrates that experience and wisdom can be major assets, defying age-related prejudices in professional football.
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