10 Star Names of Serie A Who Are Fading Away

Sometimes, footballers mature like fine wines. Every year, the critics write some stars off as "too old," only to see them defy the ageing process and shine just as brightly. 

Alas, they can't go on forever, so we look at 10 stars of Serie A who are currently in the twilight of their entertaining careers. 

Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus

Gianluigi Buffon has been setting the goalkeeping standard ever since he made his debut for Parma 20 years ago, but at 37, it can't be long before Gigi steps aside and lets the next generation of Italian shot-stoppers take up the mantle. 

Of those still actively playing, only Francesco Totti has more Serie A appearances than Buffon, and it will be some time before his record number of Italy caps—146, so far—is matched.

Of course, there's still time for him to add the Champions League to his medal collection with Juventus and to impress with the Azzurri in France next year at the European Championships. But after the summer of 2016, it wouldn't be surprising if the nine-time Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year made a big decision about his career between the posts. 

David Pizarro, Fiorentina

Back in 2012, Roma incorrectly judged David Pizarro to be past his best. After falling out of favour with Luis Enrique, the diminutive Chilean was loaned to Manchester City in January where he impressed when played, despite not being able to break into the regular lineup. 

He returned to Serie A that summer, where he wanted to prove himself at the Giallorossi. With an influx of new talent at the Olimpico, however, he had to accept a move to Fiorentina where he joined up with his former team-mate, and now club manager, Vincenzo Montella. 

It was thought at the time that Pek, as he's affectionately known, was something of a spent force and at best a squad player for the Viola. That couldn't have been farther from the truth. 

Since moving to Florence, Pizarro has rekindled some of the old magic that we saw under Luciano Spalletti a decade ago in Rome, and he remains an integral part of Montella's setup. He's featured 77 times and counting in the championship over the last three seasons, bringing his tally of league appearances to 375, making him the eighth most experienced player still active in Serie A. 

Pizarro will be 36 in September, and it's doubtful he can continuing playing the midfield magician role for too much longer, but fans of clever turns and pinpoint passing will be hoping the Viola can get a little more out of him before he hangs up his boots. 

Andrea Pirlo, Juventus

No one wants to see the end of Andrea Pirlo's playing days, but he can't go on forever (can he?). The Juventus playmaker will be 36 in May and has been used more sparingly by the Bianconeri this season.

When he has played, he's been as elegant and as impactful as ever, but as age catches up with him and the youthful competition in Turin puts pressure on his squad place, it looks like we might be entering the twilight of the Pirlo era. 

Francesco Totti, Roma

One-club man, hometown hero, World Cup winner, the archetypal No.10 and as unique a talent as we're likely to see for a long time. 

Francesco Totti is many things, but one thing he isn't, unfortunately, is immortal. Now 38, Er Pupone can't keep going forever, even if the Curva Sud wants him to. Romanisti should just be hoping that he has enough magic left to lead the Giallorossi to a second Scudetto before he retires. 

Miroslav Klose, Lazio

He's scored more goals at the World Cup than anyone else, won the competition with Germany and has 71 strikes to his name playing for the Mannschaft. Even at 36, Lazio's Miroslav Klose remains a deadly striker on his day. 

The Poland-born German has scored 43 goals in 104 appearances for Lazio in Serie A and continues to play a key role in the Aquile's push for Champions League qualification this season. His good form eclipses his age, and recently, the English press have been linking him with a move to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League (via the Daily Star). 

Antonio Di Natale, Udinese

Few stars in Serie A enjoy universal admiration, but Udinese's Antonio Di Natale is certainly one of them.

The 37-year-old from Naples is a legend in Udine, but his goalscoring prowess and his commitment to his club have won him respect throughout Italy. 

Di Natale was a late bloomer and has enjoyed his best football in his 30s. He was due to retire last summer, but was eventually convinced to hang on for one more campaign with the Zebrette and help Andrea Stramaccioni settle in on the bench after Francesco Guidolin's departure. 

So far, he's notched up 10 goals and six assists in the league—and he put four past Serie B's Ternana Calcio in the Coppa Italia. At this rate, Stramaccioni might have to convince him to stay a while longer. 

Stefano Mauri, Lazio

Stefano Mauri has missed time through serious injury over the years—and served a ban in 2013 for failing to report match fixing—but, when fit, he's been a firm fan favourite in the blue half of Rome since 2006. 

This year, Mauri's skill has been somewhat overshadowed by Felipe Anderson's sensational form, but the Monza native remains important to coach Stefano Pioli.

He is now 35, and the Lazio captain's one-year contract expires at the end of this season, but with eight goals so far this campaign, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him extend again for the Aquile. 

Daniele Conti, Cagliari

Daniele Conti's father Bruno was a legend for both Roma and Italy, winning the Scudetto with his club and the World Cup with the Azzurri. 

The 36-year-old midfielder's career never reached those illustrious heights, but since making the switch from the Italian capital to Sardinia in 1999, he's become an absolute legend for Cagliari.

He's played more games for the Rossoblu than any other player, and though he might lack the skills of past legends like Gigi Riva, Gianfranco Zola or Nene, there's no doubt that the Stadio Sant'Elia will miss him dearly when he's gone. 

Angelo Palombo, Sampdoria

Angelo Palombo has seen highs and lows in his career. As a young prospect, he was sold to Sampdoria by Fiorentina in 2002 when the Florentine club went bankrupt.

Back then, the Blucerchiati were in Serie B, but with Palombo at the heart of their midfield, they quickly returned to the top flight and even made it to Europe.

The Lazio native could have left the Genoan club in 2010 when they were relegated once more, but chose to stay on.

A brief flirtation with Inter in 2012 didn't work out, and while the return to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris initially looked unlikely, the tenacious midfielder won his place back in the side—and made the captain's armband his own. Only Roberto Mancini, Moreno Mannini and Pietro Vierchowod have appeared more times for Samp. 

Luca Toni, Hellas Verona

When Bayern Munich got rid of Luca Toni in 2010, it looked like time had run out for the World Cup winner. He was 32, and the unsuccessful spells at different clubs that followed—Roma, Genoa, Juventus, Al Nasr—seemed to suggest we'd seen the last of Italy's big striker. 

Then a return to Fiorentina, where he'd been so brilliant from 2005-07, rekindled some of the old Toni. Eight goals in 28 games was hardly vintage form, but it was enough for Hellas Verona to gamble on. And how they've been repaid. 

Toni scored 20 goals last season, an incredible amount for a club just back in Serie A after too long in the lower divisions. He's followed it up this term with a respectable 13 strikes so far, putting him among the league's top five scorers. 

He'll be 38 in May, but we shouldn't write him off just yet.