Since the beginning of this tournament, we have often mentioned the age of the players. Are they too old to perform in this competition? From what age does the performance of a professional football player begin to decline?
31 years for De Bruyne, Hazard and Meunier, 33 for Witsel and Alderweireld. And even 35 years for Vertonghen and Mertens. 7 players who have benefited from playing time in the World Cup. In view of their latest results, are our Devils too really old? “At the cardiological level, we will not have big differences in these ages. They are still people under 50 years old. So we are really not in a game of veterans in the classic sense of the term. In terms of performance, it can be shown that they may have less recovery capacity between efforts”explains Arnaud Ancion, sports cardiologist at the CHU Liège.
Published in the English press, Kevin De Bruyne said in an interview: “Winning the World Cup? No chance, we’re too old.” On social networks, Internet users are ironic. So when does the performance of a professional footballer start to decline? At 25, according to Carlos Rodriguez, professional physical trainer. “Which does not mean that it is at 25 that we are the strongest, because if we train better beyond that, we will have better qualities. However, we will have a certain reduction in our explosive muscular qualities and strength”he said.
With an irreproachable lifestyle, the performance level can last up to 35 years. Several exploits have even been signed beyond. The marathon record is still held by Kenyan Kipchoge, then 37 years old. In England, footballer Stanley Matthews won the first edition of the Golden Ball at the age of 41.
“We can play, at the national level in England, until the age of 50. So yes, it is perhaps the absolute record. But we, in Belgium, we also have that of Wilfried Van Moer, our great national team player who unfortunately died last year and was still a national player at over 40.”underlines Gilles Goethgebuer, editor-in-chief of “Sport and Life”.
Experience improves technique and positioning, makes up for lack of speed and explosiveness. Even if, for some, the fear of injury persists. “It’s quite complicated, but you can understand that in the second part of your career, the state of mind may not always be the same as at the very beginning, when you have to prove yourself and show what you’re worth to get a contract”notes Arnaud Ancion, the Sport cardiologist at the CHU Liège.
A contract or the round of 16? Less than 24 hours remain to prove to Belgium that this golden generation can still demonstrate longevity.
