The arrival of Luka Modric and Kevin De Bruyne in Serie A has reignited debate around Italian football not so much about the quality of its players, but about their age. In particular, the British press has been quick to criticise the growing number of players who come to Italy seeking to prove themselves or revive their careers well into their thirties. It’s a trend backed by undeniable statistics and highlighted with little restraint.
Modric’s move to AC Milan has especially drawn attention. The Guardian noted: “Modric will turn 40 in September. He has played 930 matches in his career, won seven league titles and six Champions Leagues. He even broke the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly by winning the Ballon d’Or after leading Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final. Now he rarely completes 90 minutes, didn’t start in the Club World Cup, and was brought on as a substitute in what was essentially a farewell appearance after the Champions League semi-final against PSG.”
The British paper added pointedly: “He could have retired five years ago and still gone down as one of the most respected players in the history of football. But with next summer’s World Cup in mind, Modric chose to move to Milan further cementing Serie A’s status as the undisputed home of talented, ageing players.”
According to The Guardian, “Italy is a country for old men” — at least in footballing terms. To support this, the paper listed a number of veteran stars still active in Serie A. Aside from De Bruyne, 37-year-old Francesco Acerbi and 36-year-old Henrikh Mkhitaryan remain key players at Inter, 34-year-old Marten de Roon continues to anchor Atalanta’s midfield, and Juan Cuadrado, now 37, is still patrolling the wing.
Statistical evidence also backs the claim. The average age of Serie A players is 14 months higher than the average across Europe’s 31 top leagues. Meanwhile, the English press points out that “football is a young man’s game.” Over the past decade, the number of players aged 23 or younger who have played more than 900 minutes in the Premier League has increased by 32%.
Yet, paradoxically, every Ballon d’Or winner since Kaká in 2007 is still playing today. This endurance is likely due to two key factors: athletes’ physical condition has never been better, and modern footballers lead healthier lifestyles. Diets are carefully monitored, and sports medicine has progressed to the point where injuries such as broken legs or ACL tears are no longer career-ending.
For players beyond their prime, less competitive leagues also offer million-euro salaries and wide visibility. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continue to enjoy the benefits of playing in the United States and Saudi Arabia, while the MLS and Saudi Pro League enjoy the attention their presence brings.
Serie A, while still ranked well above those leagues, is clearly a long way from the glory days of the 1980s and ’90s. It remains a league full of star names — but increasingly, they are stars who have passed their peak.
While Germany is now known for its young, tech-savvy coaches with tablets and advanced pressing models, Spain still boasts the Clásico, and France has the star-studded PSG. Italy, by contrast, must confront the reality that it is no longer dominant in world football.
No Italian club features among the top ten richest in the world. Since Inter’s 2010 Champions League triumph, no Serie A team has won the tournament, even though both Juventus and Inter have reached and lost finals in recent years.
Serie A has evolved into a slower-paced league where experienced players can still shine but it is increasingly viewed not as a launchpad for future stars, but as a final chapter for those nearing the twilight of their careers.
