Like a good whisky does age better a footballer?
Well it had to happen. I suffered my first accident on my road bike and this week has been a bit bruised and sorry for its self. Rest has been the key and recovery will be swift! I hope to be back in the saddle this weekend! This knock to the noggin made a few things rattle and I asked myself the question "why is football a young man's game?"
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The story of Messi is well known. Signed at 13 by FC Barcelona, moved from Argentina to Spain to participate in the youth academy, debut for first team at 16, youngest player to do this, youngest to win that. Will he eventually be the oldest? When is it time to hang up the boots get out the pipe and slippers? Can you play into your 80s?
Football has changed a lot in the past 50 years. The stars of the 70s were running an average of 4km a match and ,some would say, experienced a less physical game. Today's player will run 10-11km per match and receiving a fair few knocks and nicks on the way. Sports medicine has advance greatly but have the physical demands on players also increased? Some weeks can see teams playing 3 times in 8 days with limited resources for the manager to choose from.
The professional game is bursting at the seams with guys under 30. But even at this age many of them have been playing hard nearly 15 years. Only a handful of players play past the veteran’s leagues’ minimum age of 35! Recent studies are quoted as saying “most players can expect to fall of the cliff at 32”. Ok, so they are talking about the multi multi million pound super stars but it is something to think about. When does a sportsman become a “veteran”? Mo Farah is 31 and doesn’t look like he is giving up soon. Martina Natratilova didn't retire for good until she was almost 50. Players in all sports who play past the “norm” have been described as “freaks”. Ryan Giggs at one point didn't look like he would ever stop playing. Within football a common factor amongst the majority of older players is rest. Playing for national sides who didn't spend summers at the Euros or World Cup. Some have even had their Italian mamma come and look after them while they rested up on the sofa for a few day before a big champions league clash. A luxury I am sure many an amateur player would love on the lead up to the big Sunday league match!
Many amateur players will play well on into their 50s in 5 aside game weekly. A recent news story in the Telegraph featured 73 year old Keith Carabine proving that the joy of the game is enough to drive you to continue playing. He plays 5-aside despite, as he said, surviving cancer, a knee operation and of course the usual football injuries.
So can you play till…………..? Mother Nature, luck, rest, injury-free and a good dose of mamma’s home cooking, you may still be able to lift that title trophy!
PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR MATCHDAY MAGAZINE.
The story of Messi is well known. Signed at 13 by FC Barcelona, moved from Argentina to Spain to participate in the youth academy, debut for first team at 16, youngest player to do this, youngest to win that. Will he eventually be the oldest? When is it time to hang up the boots get out the pipe and slippers? Can you play into your 80s?
Football has changed a lot in the past 50 years. The stars of the 70s were running an average of 4km a match and ,some would say, experienced a less physical game. Today's player will run 10-11km per match and receiving a fair few knocks and nicks on the way. Sports medicine has advance greatly but have the physical demands on players also increased? Some weeks can see teams playing 3 times in 8 days with limited resources for the manager to choose from.
The professional game is bursting at the seams with guys under 30. But even at this age many of them have been playing hard nearly 15 years. Only a handful of players play past the veteran’s leagues’ minimum age of 35! Recent studies are quoted as saying “most players can expect to fall of the cliff at 32”. Ok, so they are talking about the multi multi million pound super stars but it is something to think about. When does a sportsman become a “veteran”? Mo Farah is 31 and doesn’t look like he is giving up soon. Martina Natratilova didn't retire for good until she was almost 50. Players in all sports who play past the “norm” have been described as “freaks”. Ryan Giggs at one point didn't look like he would ever stop playing. Within football a common factor amongst the majority of older players is rest. Playing for national sides who didn't spend summers at the Euros or World Cup. Some have even had their Italian mamma come and look after them while they rested up on the sofa for a few day before a big champions league clash. A luxury I am sure many an amateur player would love on the lead up to the big Sunday league match!
Many amateur players will play well on into their 50s in 5 aside game weekly. A recent news story in the Telegraph featured 73 year old Keith Carabine proving that the joy of the game is enough to drive you to continue playing. He plays 5-aside despite, as he said, surviving cancer, a knee operation and of course the usual football injuries.
So can you play till…………..? Mother Nature, luck, rest, injury-free and a good dose of mamma’s home cooking, you may still be able to lift that title trophy!
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