Messi, Ramos, Thiago Silva, Di Maria, Fabio: veterans shine on the world stage

• The FIFA Club World Cup showcased some fine emerging talent
• Veterans too shone at the global showpiece
• Goalkeeper Fabio, the oldest player at the tournament, starred in Fluminense's charge to the semi-finals

When Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea FC defeated Real Madrid C.F. and Fluminense FC in their respective FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ semi-finals, they not only booked their places in the decider but sealed their status as the top two teams in the world. What few realised, however, is that before the first ball was kicked, the French and English sides had already earned another distinction – as two of the tournament’s youngest squads.

FC Salzburg may have taken the honours as the youngest side at an average age of 22.7, but Chelsea and PSG weren’t far behind, at 24.6 and 24.9 respectively, making those clubs the fourth and sixth youngest at the tournament. While Salzburg bowed out in the group stage, Enzo Maresca and Luis Enrique proved that youth could be a winning formula, guiding their teams all the way to the final. Indeed, there is every reason to describe the Club World Cup as a tournament belonging to the young stars of football; and yet, at the same time, some footballing legends showed off their talents throughout the competition.

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Masters of the big occasion, these seasoned veterans have more than left their mark on pitches across the United States this past month. Fluminense’s goalkeeper Fabio – the oldest player at the global showpiece at 44 years and 9 months – was instrumental in his side’s impressive run to the semi-finals. And no story of this Club World Cup would be complete without mention of Sergio Ramos (39), Lionel Messi (who turned 38 during the tournament), Thiago Silva (40) and Angel Di Maria (37). These legends were not just there to make up the numbers; they showed their class with some real heroics.

Messi led Inter Miami CF to the Round of 16, where they were swept aside 4-0 by PSG, the same scoreline the French side had inflicted on Atlético de Madrid in the group stage and would later repeat against Real Madrid in the semi-finals. In the group stage, a sublime free-kick from Messi proved decisive in his side’s historic 2-1 win over FC Porto on 19 June, five days ahead of his 38th birthday. The match had the distinction of being the first, and so far only, victory by a Concacaf team over European opposition.

Sergio Ramos, a world champion with Spain at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, showed he still has plenty to offer at 39, anchoring CF Monterrey’s backline with authority. Furthermore, his stunning header against FC Internazionale Milano in Group E’s opening fixture will go down as one of this tournament’s most iconic goals. Like Messi, Ramos led his side into the Round of 16, where Monterrey were eventually knocked out by Borussia Dortmund.

At 37, Di Maria wrapped up his long European career in style, returning to his boyhood club, Rosario Central, following SL Benfica's tournament exit. The Argentine winger racked up four goals in his swansong, all from the penalty spot, against CA Boca Juniors, Chelsea and twice against Auckland City FC.

Fluminense, meanwhile, fielded the two oldest players at the Club World Cup. At 40 years and nine months, Thiago Silva – the veteran centre-back whose glittering European career took in spells at PSG, Chelsea and AC Milan – added poise and leadership to the Brazilian side. Behind him, the evergreen Fabio, aged 44 years and nine months, was a pillar between the sticks. A legend of the Brazilian game, the shot-stopper reached the continental summit in 2023, lifting the CONMEBOL Libertadores with Flu.

The five oldest players are rounded out by Luka Modric (39 years and nine months), who played his last Real Madrid match during the global showpiece; CA River Plate icon Enzo Perez (39 years and four months); and Ramos (39 years and three months).

While the inaugural Club World Cup decider featured two teams with youth on their side, it has certainly also been a showcase for some of the legends of the sport.