FIFA 22 features a huge database of real-life players, from all around the world in different leagues and teams. Professional footballers generally retire anywhere in their 30s, with variables such as injuries, motivation, fitness, and health leading to some players retiring earlier or later than others. Some players are lucky enough to last until over the age of 40, typically transferring to less-competitive teams at this age.
While footballers over 40 may not be as fast, fit, or efficient as younger players, there are still some hidden gems hiding in this age range of players. These FIFA 22 players can be especially useful to sign in Career Mode when managing a team in a less-competitive league.
Updated on February 7, 2022 by Ritwik Mitra: FIFA 22 is another chapter in the ever-popular sports gaming series that sends ripples through the gaming industry every year. The games might be criticized for their lack of originality, but there's no denying their solid mechanics and amazing game modes. For the most part, gamers try and avoid the older players when selecting a great squad in FIFA 22. However, people who don't mind making certain concessions can grab the following players for cheap in FIFA 22 to strengthen their squad... and boost the average age.
Honorable Mention: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ibrahimovic is 39 in FIFA 22 , but 40 in real-life.
One of the best strikers in the game, it's incredible that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still pulling big numbers after all these years. He might not have the highest Pace (sitting at a meager 65) but more than makes up for it with his excellent 87 Shooting.
So, it goes without saying that he should be a Target Man for any team. This 84-rated player is a great addition to any squad and should only be replaced if the move is completely worthwhile.
14 Artur Boruc
This list will feature a bunch of goalkeepers who can still perform at the highest level even when they're pushing 40. Artur Boruc is one such keeper whose 70 Rating makes him a pretty decent player.
None of his stats might be all that eye-raising, so players should try getting a better keeper in their team as soon as possible. Otherwise, players will find their teams to be leaking in quite a few goals indeed.
13 Shunsuke Nakamura
Most people remember Shunsuke Nakamura from his glorious free-kick that won the Scottish Premiership for Celtic. The 43-year-old is still playing professionally for Yokohama FC, although his stats aren't the greatest.
His highest stat is 74 for his Passing, with his Shooting and Dribbling landing somewhere in the mid-60s. He's a pretty cheap player, but way past his prime and not really a great addition to any squad.
12 Cristian David Lucchetti
This Argentinian is the second keeper to feature on this list with a respectable 72 Rating. He's a pretty decent player, although nowhere near as great as some of the best keepers present in FIFA 22.
Lucchetti currently plays for Atletico Tucuman in the Primera Division. It's possible that players might never even get to cross paths with this player since most people don't really follow the Argentinian football leagues.
11 Kazuyoshi Miura
Kazuyoshi Miura is one of the oldest players in FIFA 22, with his age standing at a hefty 53 years. So, it's no surprise that his stats aren't all that great.
Miura's 30 Pace will be an instant dealbreaker for most fans, while his Shooting itself isn't all that great for a Striker. He plays for Yokohama FC and is pretty much a fringe player for obvious reasons.
10 Kevin Ellison
Kevin Ellison is a Left Midfielder who plays for Newport County in the EFL League Two. While his Pace is pretty woeful, standing at a measly 42. What Ellison lacks in Pace, he makes up for in his Shooting, Dribbling, and Physical stats.
Ellison is a good player for a League Two team but should be quickly replaced with a faster LeftMidfielder when the player has more coins available. While Pace isn't as important as it has been in previous FIFA entries, it's still fairly important.
9 Zheng Zhi
Zheng Zhi is a Central Defensive Midfielder who plays for Guangzhou FC in the Chinese Football Association Super League. His Pace is pretty dire, standing at 35, but he makes up for this with his Shooting, Passing, Dribbling, and Defense stats.
Luckily, a CDM player doesn't need too much Pace. Players who set up Player Instructions that compensate for Zhi's lack of Pace by setting him to play deeper and be more of a setter-up than a lone superstar. Eventually, when the player has more coins, they should look to replace Zheng Zhi, as he isn't considered one of the best FIFA 22 players.
8 Ibrahim Ozturk
Ibrahim Ozturk is a CentreBack who plays for AltaySK in the SuperLig. His Pace, Passing, and Dribbling stats are fairly low, but he has good Defending and Physical stats.
Pace and Dribbling aren't so important to CB players, so this doesn't really prevent Ozturk from being a viable Silver team player. However, when the coins are available to replace Ozturk with a better CB, players should take that option as soon as possible. For a Turkish League Silver team, however, Ozturk is one of the best options available.
7 Lucas Licht
Lucas Licht is a Left Back player who plays for Gimnasia in the Argentinian League Liga Profesional de Futbol. He's an all-rounder player, with all of his core stats being of a similar rating. All of his stats are in the 60s, apart from his Dribbling which stands at 72.
Licht isn't the fastest LB player, but for a Silver Argentinian team he's one of the best options players could choose. He's also useful in Career Mode for players who are managing a poorer, less-competitive team looking to add some experience into their squad.
6 Maximiliano Rodriguez
Maximiliano Rodriguez is a LeftWinger who plays for Newell's in the Argentinian League CONMEBOLSudamericana. For a Silver player, his stats are pretty good, with 74 Shooting, 76 Passing, and 75 Dribbling being his best stats. His Pace and Physical both stand at 64, making him viable as a fast-enough winger with enough physicality to hold his own against defenders.
Rodriguez is suitable for Silver Argentinian nationality-based team builds, and while players should look to replace him when they can, he will do a good enough job in LW while higher priority positions are filled first.
5 Jose Sand
Despite being age 41, Jose Sand is still a viable Striker that plays for Lanus in the Argentinian League CONMEBOLSudamericana. With 79 Shooting, 68 Dribbling, and 70 Physical, Sand can be a problem for defenders even if he isn't the highest-rated forward in FIFA 22.
Players should set up Sand to StayCentral and be a TargetMan in PlayerInstructions, to compensate for his lack of Pace. Supporting Sand with quick Wingers and a quick CAM will also help to offset this lack of Pace and keep Sand as a viable Striker in the squad.
4 Andres D'Alessandro
Andres D'Alessandro plays for Nacional in the Argentinian League CONMEBOLLibertadores. A CentralAttackingMidfielder, Alessandro has some good stats despite his senior age. His 71 Shooting, 75 Dribbling, and 80 Passing make him a viable CAM in a starter team.
Players should surround Alessandro with faster players to offset his lack of Pace, and set up PlayerInstructions that keep Alessandro central and not coming back to help the Defense, this will ensure his stamina lasts throughout the game and that he's in the right position since he doesn't have the Pace to get back to the right position quickly enough. He's a cheap player that Premier League teams should sign in Career Mode.
3 Jose de Jesus Corona
Jose de Jesus Corona is a Goalkeeper that plays for CruzAzul in the Mexican League LIGABBVAMX. At 75 Overall Rating, he's one of the best over-40 players that can be bought. His 72 Diving, 77 Handling, and 78 Positioning make him a viable Goalkeeper choice.
While Corona's Speed stat is quite low, the majority of his stats are good enough. Players should obviously look to replace him when they have the coins, but they can go a long way with Corona in goal when starting out even if he isn't the highest-rated goalkeeper.
2 Gianluigi Buffon
Gianluigi Buffon used to be considered the best goalkeeper in the world, and while he has definitely seen better days he's still a viable choice to have to guard the net and is a great entry-level choice for a Serie A team build.
Buffon is an 80-rated card in FIFA 22, placing him in the Gold-type category. His Goalkeeping stats largely stay in the 70s range, with an impressive Positioning stat of 90. He's a great choice for players who are looking for an entry-level Serie A team but should quickly be replaced when more coins have been generated.
1 Joaquin
Joaquin is the best player over 40 that can be bought, with an Overall Rating of 81. He is a RightMidfielder that plays for RealBetis in the Spanish League LaLigaSantander. Despite his senior age, his Pace is 68, which is pretty high for a player of his age. While he isn't a player to maintain in the best La Liga team build, he's a great RM to use when getting started with one.
He has three stats that are over 80; Shooting, Passing, and Dribbling. Players should set up his PlayerInstructions to ensure he stays wide and doesn't come back on Defense, this will offset the lack of Pace and make good use of his more formidable stats.
FIFA 22 was released on October 1, 2021, and is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5.