If you don’t react with a smile, when you find out that Jussi Jaaskelainen is still playing football, then the beautiful game isn’t for you.
And that news only gets better when you find out that Jussi’s son, Will, is also a goalkeeper. And, yep, he plays for Bolton Wanderers, because football loves a romantic script.
Sadly, the Trotters legend isn’t back at the Reebok Stadium – or the Macron, as it’s known now – he is at the DW Stadium with Wigan Athletic.
When football gives you those: “No…no! Surely not; he can’t still be playing” moments, it’s what the game is all about; nostalgia – it’s all the fans have left to cling on to.
So here’s a few former pros that will raise your eyebrows when you see they’re still kicking a ball about.
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Ze Roberto
Like a fine wine, the Brazilian trickster is aging gracefully. Currently turning out for Palmeiras. Image Source: Twitter
Eric Djemba-Djemba
Forget #Pogback, it's all about trying to bring home the cult hero, Djemba-Djemba. However, the Red Devils may struggle to get him back to Old Trafford, with EDD said to be thoroughly enjoying playing for FC Vallorbe-Ballaigues in the fifth tier of Swiss football. Image Source: Independent
Steed Malbranque
Yeah, we weren't having this either. There can't be any way that the former Fulham creative playmaker is still playing. However, after leaving Lyon, in the summer, Steed is now a Caen player. Image Source: Twitter
Alexander Hleb
Since 2012, Hleb's career his been the envy of every professional Scrabble player out there: Krylia Sovetov Samara to Konyaspor to Gençlerbirliği and now currently playing for BATE Borisov. Image Source: Twitter
Didier Zokora
Plays for Indian outfit NorthEast United - which sounds a lot like a PES 2005 team name. Image Source: Twitter
Emre Belozoglu
At 36, the former Newcastle United man is running out for İstanbul Başakşehir - you probably could've guessed that one. Image Source: Twitter
Alex Manninger
Rumours suggest that Coutinho only signed a new five-year deal with Liverpool, because he wanted to carry on learning from the Reds No.3 'keeper. Image Source: Twitter
Ryan Babel
30. Ryan Babel is 30. Three zero. How is he not close to pushing 40?! Now at Beşiktaş because no journeyman can truly complete their career, without a stint in Turkey. Image Source: Twitter
Roque Santa Cruz
Back in the homeland of Paraguay with Olimpia Asunción, the handsome swine. Image Source: Twitter
Sidney Govou
When Lyon had that strike partnership of Govou and Sonny Anderson?. Now kicking about in the fifth tier of French football with Limoges FC. Image Source: Twitter
Thomas Sorensen
Big fan of Melbourne City having clearly opted for a Thomas Sorensen calendar - hoping this picture is for my birthday month of November. Image Source: Twitter
Jay Bothroyd
You know that bloke who now plays in the Japanese second league for Jubilo Itawa? Yeah, he did get an England cap. Image Source: Twitter
Diego Forlan
There's no place like home. Or in Forlan's case, there's no place like Mumbai City for one final payday. Image Source: Twitter
Florent Malouda
You know there's actually Chelsea fans out there who think Malouda was a good signing for the Blues! The Delhi Dynamos winger is currently on loan to Wadi Degla. Image Source: Twitter
Jérémie Aliadière
What exactly did Arsene Wenger ever see in the striker? Currently in his second spell at French side Lorient. Image Source: Twitter
Tim Cahill
Australia's greatest export after Fosters, the Everton hero has returned home to Melbourne City. Image Source: Twitter
Michael Chopra
Being managed by Steve Coppell at the Kerala Blasters. Image Source: Twitter
Peter Ramage
Ugliest Premier League footballer ever? Seeing out his days at Phoenix Rising. Image Source: Twitter
Helder Postiga
16 years as a professional footballer has seen the Portuguese striker amass 14 different moves. Mad. The one-time Lilywhites forward is now back at Atletico de Kolkata in the Indian Super League, one-year after he left them for Rio Ave. Image Source: Twitter
No, honestly; we aren’t making it up. Ryan Babel really is only 30. Good job these journeyman aren’t playing together in a team, though. Might be a bit awkward to have Didier Zokora and Emre lining up alongside one another in the middle of the park…
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