Fluminense boast the Club World Cup's most veteran duo

While youth often takes the spotlight, experience also deserves recognition – and there is plenty of it in this year's Club World Cup. Across all squads, 234 players are over 30, with 66 already aged 35 or above.

But when compiling the tournament's most senior participants, one team stands out as Fluminense provide the top two names.

The Rio giants open their campaign on Tuesday against Borussia Dortmund, arguably their toughest opponents in Group F, which also includes South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns and South Korea's Ulsan HD. Both veterans are expected to start.

Fabio set to break age record at Club World Cup

Fabio enters the revamped Club World Cup at 44 years, eight months and 16 days of age. A true icon of the Brasileirao, the goalkeeper is the only player in the tournament who can say he played professionally in the 20th century.

He made his top-flight debut with Vasco da Gama in October 2000, but it was at Cruzeiro where he became a legend – playing over 800 matches and lifting 12 trophies. He joined Fluminense in January 2022.

If we include previous editions of the Club World Cup, he would rank as the second-oldest player in the competition's history – only behind Oscar Perez, who featured for Pachuca in 2017 aged 44 years, 10 months and 11 days.

Another familiar face, Felipe Melo, who shared the dressing room with Fabio and Thiago Silva until December, also featured in the last edition of the tournament at 40 years and 179 days, before switching his focus to the Intercontinental Cup.

Three players aged over 40

Next in line is European football stalwart Thiago Silva. Now 40 years, eight months and 24 days old, the former Brazil captain debuted professionally in 2003 with Juventude. On Tuesday, he is set to anchor Fluminense's defence alongside Juan Freytes.

After glittering spells at Milan, PSG and Chelsea, Silva continues to add chapters to his distinguished career at the club where he first rose to prominence.

Beyond Fluminense's veteran pair, only one other player in the tournament has passed the age of 40. Ugandan goalkeeper Denis Onyango, who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns, celebrated his 40th birthday on 15 May.

In the 39-year-old bracket are a host of big names, including Luka Modric, Gustavo Cabral, Enzo Perez, Manuel Neuer, Sergio Ramos and Stefan Frei. Curiously, none of them will celebrate a birthday during the tournament – all were born in spring or autumn, except Fernandez, whose birthday falls in February.

Completing the top 10 is Shusaku Nishikawa, Urawa Reds' veteran goalkeeper, who turns 39 on Wednesday, 18 June – just a day after his side open their campaign against River Plate.

Further down the list, Oscar Ustari may yet join the birthday club during the tournament – if his Inter Miami side progress from the group stage, the goalkeeper could be in action on his 39th birthday, 3 July.

The American outfit face Porto and Palmeiras in their remaining group matches, following a goalless draw in their opener against Egypt's Al Ahly.

Ten oldest players at the 2025 Club World Cup

1. Fabio (Fluminense) – 44 – 30/09/1980

2. Thiago Silva (Fluminense) – 40 – 22/09/1984

3. Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns) – 40 – 15/05/1985

4. Luka Modric (Real Madrid) – 39 – 09/09/1985

5. Gustavo Cabral (Pachuca) – 39 – 14/10/1985

6. Enzo Perez (River Plate) – 39 – 22/02/1986

7. Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) – 39 – 27/03/1986

8. Sergio Ramos (Monterrey) – 39 – 30/03/1986

9. Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders) – 39 – 20/04/1986

10. Shusaku Nishikawa (Urawa Reds) – 38 – 18/06/1986