12 Forgotten Footballers Still Playing in 2024

Football is a sport of flashbacks and up-and-coming players who steal the show and make great headlines. Still, while some players remain celebrities until their final retirement years, others begin the fading process at some point. Some gracefully retire, while others go on to play for other clubs in lower leagues far from the international leagues.

Their stories are those of forgotten footballers whom one could easily describe as men of great spirit. Though their names may not trail on in the arenas of the biggest stadiums in Europe, they continue to play with passion and devotion for fans and teammates. This list honours 12 Forgotten footballers who continue playing modern football:

List of Forgotten Footballers Still Playing in 2024

12. Jo (Amazonas) – Age 37

The story of Jo’s career is quite inspiring because of the power of resilience and flexibility. The Brazilian forward was yet to get into the limelight in Corinthians but he displayed his goal hunger and was picked up by CSKA Moscow in 2006. While in Russia Jo managed to help win several more titles, such as the Russian Premier League. He is best remembered for his physical strength and aerial ability, and he was among the most gifted young forwards in the country.

Manchester City, after getting a new investment in 2008 signed Jo for £19 million. But, his period in the English top tier was not so enjoyable because he scored few goals on aggregate. A loan spell at Everton and Galatasaray were his next destinations, but they offered no success. He found his shooting boots again when he returned to Brazil with Corinthians. He again guided the club to a league championship in 2017 while netting 18 times in 34 matches. He is also now a striker at Amazonas where assists young talents while at the same time being a key forward.

11. Vagner Love (Avai FC) – Age 40

It seems there are hardly any football players that can be associated with the phrase ‘longevity in football’ as comfortably as Vagner Love can. While at CSKA Moscow in his prime years, Vagner Love became almost unguardable. More than 250 games for the Russian club, over 120 goals, and the title of one of the best strikers in Europe during that time. His partnership with a group of Brazilian players in Moscow helped the team win several league championships along with a famous triumphant UEFA Cup in 2005.

Outside Russia, Love had interesting stays in Turkey where he spent time with Alanyaspor and Besiktas and continued powering his goalscoring record. As of 40 Vagner Love is still playing for the Avai FC a Football Club in Brazil. While he may not be as rampaging as he was at Durham, his goal-poacher-like skills are still linear. He also is a role model for the young players since he educates and engrains the ideals of professionalism in them.

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10. Lukas Podolski (Gornik Zabrze) – Age 39

Podolski has had an illustrious career, anyone looking to discuss a good number of highly laudable strides on a soccer field should look no further. Emerging as a teenager with 1. FC Köln is technically strong and often scored with great goals. When he transferred to Bayern Munich in 2006, the start of his soccer reign brought him titles in cups, Bundesliga titles, and the FIFA World Cup championship in 2014.

At Arsenal, Podolski quickly emerged as a fan favorite because of his ability to hit spectacular volleys and long-range goals. In the 130 times he represented Germany on the International platform, he managed to score 49 goals, all of which were great. Now in the Gornik Zabrze in Poland, Podolski is still a part of the team both in playing ability and participation in societal activities for the young generation players. The German Striker was famous for his scoring ability in the World Cup but is now one of the forgotten footballers.

9. Felipe Melo (Fluminense) – Age 41

Felipe Melo’s legacy was for the most part characterized by copping an attitude. Apparently, as a defensive midfield or centre-back, Melo achieved fans’ approval when he joined Fiorentina and later Juventus of the Italian Serie A League. He was solid defensively as well as an excellent tackler which made him transition from Juventus to Galatasaray in Turkey where he was well adored by fans.

Though there were instances where he was accused of using rash tackles on the floor, Melo was endowed with good tactical brains and equally offered good leadership. Bidding for Fluminense, he has played at 41 and still rising as a deep-lying playmaker and a role model. He has been a great person, with a disciplined lifestyle, owing much to his love for volleyball.

8. Nani (Estrela Amadora) – Age 38

Nani’s period at Manchester United was raised to a dramatic high level of great talent and versatility. Nani was signed as a winger from Sporting CP in July 2007 by Sir Alex Ferguson and from the start became a first-team regular; he celebrated four Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League in 2008. He proved this in the 2010-2011 season when he was ranked as the highest assist maker in the English Barclays Premier League. A club like Manchester United will never forget his beautiful goals against Arsenal and Tottenham.

Nani, later played Sporting CP, Fenerbahce, and Lazio, and throughout these teams, he continually scored goals and created assists. The Portuguese footballer represented Portugal at the senior level and has 112 international appearances to his name as well as contributed to the UEFA Euro 2016 champions scoring three goals. His creativity coupled with wonderful speed and consequent finishing prowess saw him remain a constant menace for opponents in both the domestic league and international competitions.

After being released as a free agent, Nani has now joined Estrela Amadora. Through the years, Nani has been acknowledged due to his hard-working attitude and physical shape and young players and fans can expect he has not retired from football yet. Nani from being one of the best to now one of the forgotten football players.

7. Ragnar Klavan (JK Tallinna Kalev) – Age 39

Ragnar Klavan is not a very popular name in the football fraternity, but he was an essential player more so in Estonia and Liverpool football club. Klavan acted as a reliable center-back for Liverpool during the time when Jurgen Klopp was building his team. He proved to bring a good temperament as a defender and an outstanding ability to analyze the game for the Reds. Klavan has returned to Estonia with JK Tallinna Kalev in the latter phase of his career where he is now a forgotten football players still playing.

6. Shinji Kagawa (Cerezo Osaka) – Age 35

Shinji Kagawa’s career is an example of genius and hard work. He first came to prominence with Cerezo Osaka in Japan where his superb vision and proclivity for scoring goals earned attention from Borussia Dortmund. Kagawa had a great season in the 2011/12 season becoming one of the main figures in the midfield for Dortmund during the season which led to winning the Bundesliga as well as the DFB-Pokal cups. But performances saw him sign for Manchester United and become the first Asian player to score a Premier League hat trick proving his talent and entertainment value.

Injury-prone during his time in England with Manchester United, there was a glimmer of the old Kagawa at Dortmund upon his return. He scored more than 100 goals and made more than 100 assists in his career, which makes him one of the legends of Asia’s football. Internationally, Kagawa has represented Japan 97 times since making his debut in 2011 awarding his nation the AFC Asian Cup, and has participated in three different World Cups. He was a powerful player because he dominated the playmaking and looking for spaces when playing for his team. Shinji Kagawa after his successful stint in Europe is back in his native land as a forgotten football players still playing.

On his return to Cerezo Osaka, Kagawa has accepted the responsibility of being the team’s most experienced player. As a result of his experience and technical prowess, the club has been participating in Japan’s J1 League and his appearance enables young stars to aim high. In addition, getting back where it all started is a perfect end to an otherwise glorious career for Kagawa.

5. Arturo Vidal (Colo-Colo) – Age 37

Arturo Vidal a defensive midfielder nicknamed the Warrior for his aggressive approach and high work ethic has been around some of the world’s biggest football clubs. Beginning his youth career at Colo-Colo of Chile, there was no doubt about Vidal’s quality and his ability to fit into any position on the Field. He later penned his cross over to Bayer Leverkusen making him not only one of the complete midfield generals in the German Bundesliga league but also amongst Europe’s best. 2011 came and he signed for Italian giants Juventus where he offered probably his best years alongside Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio in central midfield. What he brought to Juventus was four consecutive Serie A titles and played a key role in the club’s reach of the 2015 Champions League final.

Another highlight of his soccer coaching career includes success at Bayern Munich and Barcelona with the team acquiring many domestic and intercontinental championships. At Bayern, he has won three Bundesliga leagues and is a regular in the middle of the park. Barcelona especially, benefited from Vidal’s tenacity and captaincy; during the 2018/2019 season, the team garnered the La Liga trophy. Globally, Vidal has featured for Chile’s national team more than 140 times and has been instrumental in helping the team clinch the Copa America trophy in 2015 and 2016. His hard work and stamina in the middle of the park have placed him among those many who are respected in this era. Arturo Vidal is one of the forgotten football players still playing.

Vidal has now returned to Colo-Colo which is his birth club after moving around various clubs in Chile. Even though his football is now limited to scoring on free kicks, his movements and motivation for football are still strong and convincing. To young players at Colo-Colo, the presence of their own icon, a player who has experienced playing in the premier leagues of football is morale-boosting.

4. Radja Nainggolan (Bhayangkara Presisi Indonesia FC) – Age 36

Radja Nainggolan is one of the most dynamic midfielders of his generation. Nainggolan started at Piacenza in Serie B then moved to Cagliari, where he was a battling but skillful central midfielder. In the 2014/15 season, he joined Serie A side AS Roma where he proved himself to be a great player and fan favorite. Nainggolan provided a link between the midfield and the attack, and also supplied accurate passes throughout the season and would be a hugely influential figure for the AS Rosa as he produced very impressive goals.

While at Roma, Nainggolan contributed to the club’s journey scoring match-winning goals, and leading the team. He had a very impressive style of play and attained 30 international appearances for Belgium but was extra content with his club. Public and critics thought the worst of him when he was excluded from the World Cup squad to be hosted in Russia in 2018, given his performance at the time. He later played at Inter Milan and again returned to Cagliari making him a midfield kingpin.

Now with the Bhayangkara Presisi Indonesia FC, Nainggolan maintains the momentum of a player. He has also helped focus on raising the quality of football within the Indonesian league. Nainggolan is one of the forgotten football players still playing.

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3. Roque Santa Cruz (Libertad) – Age 43

As for his performances, given of long career and daily determination Roque Santa Cruz has always been a brilliant player. He began his professional career in Olimpia of Paraguay and was soon signed by Bayern Munich in 1999 and adored five Bundesliga championships alongside the UEFA Champions League in 2001. Famously known for his acrobatic strikes, appreciable physique, and play-making skills, Santa Cruz was indispensable as a forward in one of Europe’s most formidable leagues. After that transfer to Blackburn Rovers, he was an instant success in the English Premier League, putting the ball in the back of the net 23 times in his first spell with Blackburn.

As to its international experience Santa Cruz could boast just as versatile and important. He scored all time 32 goals for Paraguay and he played for his nation between 1986 and 2002 in three FIFA World Cups and four Copa America Cups. By giving his best during the important matches and bouts he carved his name on the heart of the Paraguay football fans. His European career came to an end at Manchester City, Malaga, and Real Betis but Santa Cruz remained a productive player and his professionalism did not wane.

Currently, he plays for Libertad in Paraguay’s Primera División, and at 42, his party isn’t over yet but not many remember him, and is one of the forgotten ballers in history.

2. Santi Cazorla (Real Oviedo) – Age 39

Santi Cazorla is many a time referred to as one of the best technical midfielders of his time. Cazorla started at Villarreal where the creativity of the player along with a vision to read the match made him one of the important assets of La Liga. His transfer to Arsenal in 2012 formed the last pinnacle of his career because he was able to dictate the pace of Arsenal matches besides creating spectacle moments. Cazorla offered versatility by being a dual-footed player, good tackler, great distruster, and deadly free-kick taker thus making him one of a powerful mid-fielder in the English Premier League.

Nonetheless, a career-threatening Achilles’ tendon injury that occurred in May 2016 that almost brought his career to an end, Cazorla returned to playing for Villarreal in 2018 after close to two years of healing passion for football. Having done well in La Liga, he was brought back into the Spanish national team proving that he still has what it takes. In his career, Cazorla has picked up diverse domestic and international achievements; European Championships with the Spanish team, being in one of the best teams in the history of the Spanish football national team.

Now as a player at Real Oviedo, the club where he started his football career, Cazorla is sharing this wealth of knowledge with the youngsters. His never-give-up attitude of passion is more inspirational to fans and players. At 39, Cazorla is still great to watch, he can still perform and show that age should not dictate how much you enjoy football. Given his success and performances on the football field for so many years, he is now one of the forgotten footballers.

1. Mario Balotelli (Genoa) – Age 34

Mario Balotelli is one of those soccer players who is defined by extraordinary moments, brilliant and… well, borderline insane. Making his debut at age 17 at Inter Milan, Balotelli was among the top football prospects in Europe. With Jose Mourinho, he won two consecutive Serie A titles and the Champions League in 2010 where his predatory instinct came to the fore. The first taste of fame was due to the rather unstable character that followers saw in Balotelli during his period in Inter.

He moved to Manchester City in 2010 and promised another incredible year full of drama and brilliance. His input in the City to win the first Premier League title in 44 years cannot be overemphasized especially his setup of Sergio Aguero for the winning goal against QPR in the last minute of the season in 2012. The latter also performed well on the highest level and stood out at Euro 2012 when his two goals in extra time against Germany in the semi-finals became legendary Italian moments. All the same, he has always been exceptional, but verbose and erratic performances, coupled with disciplinary issues saw him switch from club to club including AC Milan, Liverpool, Nice, and others.

Now playing for Genoa, Balotelli targets to rekindle his career in Serie A after struggling in Switzerland with Sion. Balotelli’s tale is one of genius and madness depending on the lens through which it is being viewed and the latest episode in the Genoa could as well be interesting as the previous ones.

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