@FootynewsMost center-backs hit a wall at 35, but Virgil van Dijk is still the guy. Look at where the legends were when they turned that age: Sergio Ramos was just a substitute for PSG, John Terry was in the final stretch as a sub, and Rio Ferdinand was playing for QPR while nearing retirement. Paolo Maldini wasn't an undisputed starter anymore at AC Milan, and Vincent Kompany had already gone back to Belgium to retire. Then you have VVD. At 35 years old, he's not just playing; he's leading both Liverpool and the Netherlands national team as captain while dropping high-level performances every single week. It is genuinely wild how few defenders can match his longevity on this level.

@FootynewsMost center-backs hit a wall at 35, but Virgil van Dijk is still the guy. Look at where the legends were when they turned that age: Sergio Ramos was just a substitute for PSG, John Terry was in the final stretch as a sub, and Rio Ferdinand was playing for QPR while nearing retirement. Paolo Maldini wasn't an undisputed starter anymore at AC Milan, and Vincent Kompany had already gone back to Belgium to retire. Then you have VVD. At 35 years old, he's not just playing; he's leading both Liverpool and the Netherlands national team as captain while dropping high-level performances every single week. It is genuinely wild how few defenders can match his longevity on this level.