Originally Posted by
splott parker
Apart from Giggs, Maldini and the
Iike obviously, I reckon footballers have a around about a 12 year shelf life before time takes it toll. Michael Owen burst on the scene in his teens, as did Rooney but come 28/29 they both began to fade a little. In the past, players like Norman Whiteside, Paul Allen etc faded as time caught up with them due to the early emergence. Players who come to the fore around 21/22 perhaps go on until their early 30s, it's maybe that most people's bodies can only take so much, early start/early finish.