Some footballers get better with age, just like a fine wine. It may be a cliché, but it's very true and, in LaLiga Santander, there are several older players who are still performing at the very highest level or even reaching their peak long after their 30th birthday.
That's made clear by the fact that, of the 67 players to have scored a goal already this LaLiga Santander season, 19 of them are over the age of 30. Six of this season's goalscorers are even over the age of 34 and they are none other than Robert Lewandowski, Karim Benzema, Iago Aspas, José Luis Morales, Cristhian Stuani and Luka Modric, who have netted a combined 16 goals in LaLiga Santander after the first four matchdays.
There are other impressive veterans who are still key starters for their clubs, even if they're not tasked with scoring the goals, such as Real Sociedad's David Silva or Real Betis' Joaquín, the oldest player of all in the competition with his date of birth of July 21st, 1981.
Here is a look at a few of the most important over-35s of LaLiga Santander and an explanation of why they're still so vital to their teams.
Joaquín – Real Betis
As the captain of Real Betis and after leading Los Verdiblancos to Copa del Rey glory last season, Joaquín is still very important for his boyhood club. He made 34 appearances across all competitions last term and scored a couple of important goals during the cup run, as well as a penalty in the shootout in the final. This year, the 41-year-old wasn't available for the first couple of matches, but was back in action during his side's trip to Real Madrid on Matchday 4.
Luka Modrić – Real Madrid
There's an argument to be made that Luka Modrić, who has just turned 37 this September 9th, is playing the very best football of his career. The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner is as classy as ever, conducting Real Madrid's midfield and getting forward enough to keep scoring beautiful goals.
Raúl Albiol – Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF centre-back Raúl Albiol has also just recently turned 37, doing so on September 4th, and he remains one of the first names on Unai Emery's team sheet. The Spaniard is a classic example of how the accumulation of experience means he has gotten even better with age and he has been key to Villarreal CF's run of zero goals conceded across the first four rounds of the new LaLiga Santander season.
Cristhian Stuani – Girona FC
Having scored 22 goals in LaLiga SmartBank last season, Cristhian Stuani is one of the main reasons for Girona FC's return to Spain's top division. He continues to lead the line and scored the opener in their first win of the 2022/23 season. An injury will keep him on the sidelines for a few weeks, but he'll soon be back captaining the side and trying to score the goals to fend off relegation.
Radamel Falcao – Rayo Vallecano
Radamel Falcao may not have scored yet in 2022/23, but the Colombian forward's six strikes last year were key to Rayo Vallecano's successful season. Even when he's not starting, Falcao is doing all he can to support the team's young centre-forward Sergio Camello, who grew up in the Atlético de Madrid academy with Falcao as one of his idols.
Jesús Navas – Sevilla FC
As the captain of Sevilla FC, Jesús Navas remains a hugely important figure in Spanish football. The team's difficult start to 2022/23 may make the 36-year-old even more of a key figure at the club, as he has been through highs and lows with Sevilla FC before and will know what is needed to turn the situation around.
David Silva's 2020 transfer to Real Sociedad was a match made in heaven, as La Real found the playmaker they had been missing to link up midfield with attack, while the player was able to return to Spain and continue challenging for silverware. Even though he is 36 and may have lost some pace, Silva's passing is as crisp as ever.
The 10 oldest players to have made an appearance in LaLiga Santander 2022/23
1. Joaquin (41 years old)
2. Álvaro Negredo (37)
3. Raúl Albiol (37)
4. Luka Modrić (37)
5. Jesús Navas (36)
6. David Silva (36)
7. Radamel Falcao (36)
8. Raúl García (36)
9. Andrés Guardado (35)
10. Cristhian Stuani (35)
