11 Football Superstars Who Are Past Their Primes

Five years is a relatively short space of time in the grand of scheme of things, but in sport it can often amount to a couple of lifetimes in how much the overall picture of things can change.

Football is no different in this respect. Five years ago in 2006, Barcelona beat Arsenal 2-1 in the Champions League final. It was the last hurrah of the Gunners' great unbeaten side of 2003/2004, the likes of Robert Pires and Sol Campbell would soon move onto pastures new, while others like Thierry Henry and Freddie Ljungberg would never again reach the heights of years earlier. Their opposition was made up of such fine talent like Ludovic Giuly, Deco, Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho, players that had reinvigorated the name of Barcelona in the face of Real Madrid's expensive assembling of the 'Galacticos'.

Many of these players were the big names on show at that summer's World Cup. In those glorious days of summer, hosts Germany lit up the tournament with terrific performances by Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose among others. Gianluigi Buffon and Fabio Cannavaro highlighted the vital importance of great defending while Zinedine Zidane chose to burn out rather than fade away.

Of these players that made up the biggest football occasions of the year, only Eto'o remains at anything near his best. The others mentioned are either retired or now with their best days behind them. It seems strange to class superstars who lit up the game so brightly as now being past their prime, but such is the ever-changing nature of football.

Here are eleven of those players, still plying their trade in leagues around the world, but whether through age or other circumstances, are no longer quite the best.

Ronaldinho

Considering how good Barcelona are right now, it easy to forget they weren't too shabby five or six years ago either. Under Frank Rijkaard they won La Liga twice and the Champions League, too, and in the midst of all this was Ronaldinho.

You couldn't go a week without seeing the Brazilian score a remarkable goal and/or bamboozling the opposition with trickery a magician would be envious of. More than just a flash player, the arrival of Ronaldinho at the Nou Camp from Paris Saint-Germain was the catalyst for Barca's turn-around after a few off years.

The 2006 Champions League final was the highpoint of his club career (of course he was also a big part of Brazil's 2002 World Cup winning squad), but his disappointing performance at the Stade de France that night also marked the first step down from his peak.

Calling it a decline might be a little harsh. Ronaldinho was still more often than not a delight to watch in the rest of his time with Barcelona, and even with AC Milan he was often the creative spark behind their best attacks. But by the time he was wearing the colours of the Rossoneri, he was no longer the exhilarating force of a few years earlier.

Reports of Ronaldinho's fondness for extra-curricular activities are often cited as the reason for the receding of his qualities. Whether true or not, he now has fled the harsher glare of Europe for the warmth of his homeland Brazil and plays for Flamengo.

Ronaldinho might yet enjoy something of a renaissance if his return becomes a catalyst for a Brazilian league growing stronger in quality and financial power by the year. More of the country's stars who moved to Europe are returning, while Corinthians were not a long way off from securing the services of Carlos Tevez last month.

Frank Lampard

There have been few Premier League players anywhere near as consistently good as Frank Lampard has been over the past decade.

Lampard was far from the finished article when he joined Chelsea in 2001, but his undoubted commitment to improve saw him quickly become the heart of his team's midfield. Under Jose Mourinho's management his rise was such that for a time he was legitimately one of the best players in the world.

While the rise of talent elsewhere meant that claim receded slightly, as recently as the 2009/2010 season he still enjoyed his most successful individual campaign. Lampard's 22 goals that season helped Chelsea to the Premier League title, his third at the club.

Now 33-years-old, Lampard still has a lot to offer Chelsea, as shown by his 13 goals last year in an injury-hit season. But age is catching up with him, and he is no longer the all-action, influential midfielder he was. Chelsea's efforts to bring in Luka Modric indicate they realise this, too.

Barring further injury, however, Lampard should still have a good couple of seasons in him at Stamford Bridge. Whether Modric comes or not, the England international will still contribute goals, while his experience will be beneficial in helping the talented prospect Josh McEachran continue to find his feet in the Premier League.

Miroslav Klose

Now at Lazio, Miroslav Klose has enjoyed a good club career. His goals and attacking contributions were a major factor in Werder Bremen winning the Bundesliga in 2005/2006, before he played his part in a further two championships with Bayern Munich.

It is more than likely though that Klose will mostly be remembered for his exploits on the international stage with Germany, in particular at the World Cup.

The second all-time scorer in the competition with 14 goals, Klose has fired his country to two semi-finals (2006, 2010) and a final (2002). Injury before the third/fourth play-off in 2010 denied him the chance to beat Ronaldo at the top of the World Cup scoring chart.

Aged 33, it seems unlikely Klose will get another attempt to do so. His career at Bayern stalled over the last two years, and even should he be a success in Serie A, it is doubtful by 2014 he will still be regarded as one of Germany's best marksman.

Thierry Henry

With no disrespect meant to the ever-improving Major League Soccer, Thierry Henry's place on this list will not come as a surprise.

Henry was not quite the same force at Barcelona as he was at Arsenal, but in leaving north London he certainly bucked the trend of players failing after leaving Arsene Wenger.

For a player who's career was built on his trademark speed and tremendous skill, age was only ever going to wither such attributes. Still, it was a shame to see him no longer believe there was a home for him somewhere in top-flight European competition after his time at Barcelona ended.

Even if he is not the Henry of old, the Frenchman is enjoying his time with the New York Red Bulls. Considering at one stage he was linked with West Ham, he definitely made the right move.

Gianluigi Buffon

Despite the injury problems that kept him out of much of last season, Gianluigi Buffon remains a world class goalkeeper.

The Italian international is only 33, and as his legendary compatriot Dino Zoff proved, goalkeepers have a habit of laughing in the face of age.

Still, it is hard to shake the feeling that Buffon is no longer quite the revered keeper of a few years back, if only for the situation he finds himself in at Juventus.

The 'Old Lady' of Turin have not as yet been able to get out of the rut they've been mired in since the Calciopoli scandal of 2006. Buffon's loyalty to the club is admirable. Yet here is a player who should have spent the last few years as one of the stars of the Champions League, as his quality more than warrants, but has instead been dragged down in his club's search for any semblance of consistency.

So perhaps Buffon's place on this list is one with a note to watch this space. Both Juventus and the Italian national team stand on something of a precipice. Should they step the wrong way it might mean the neglect of a damn fine goalkeeper, or Buffon might yet be taken to a place where he can teach the new crop of goalies a thing or two.

Ryan Giggs

Considering that Ryan Giggs is 37-years-old, it might be safe to assume he has been past his prime for quite a while already. But having avoided injury and any serious physical decline, he has not only been able to prolong his career in a way that team-mates Paul Scholes and Gary Neville were unable to, he has displayed a great degree of versatility in maintaining himself as a top-level competitor.

The Welshman is still possessed with the ability to torment opposition full-backs with winding runs down the wing, and also last year re-fashioned himself as a more than capable centre-midfielder. Then again, with the overall ability we know Giggs has, perhaps that was not surprising.

Against inferior opposition Giggs proved himself effective in a more central position. Unfortunately, against the maestros of the Barcelona midfield his limitations in this position were found out in the Champions League final.

The further notice that his time is coming to a close is in the reinforcements United have made over the summer. Ashley Young has added competition to an already crowded surplus of creative wide-men. The return of loanees Danny Welbeck, a forward who likes to move out wide, and Tom Cleverley in centre-midfield have added increased competition for Giggs.

Sir Alex Ferguson will find a way to use Giggs this season, but the appearances may be fewer than in the last few years.

Kaká

Kaká at AC Milan was a joy to watch. Enthusiastic and keen to involve himself in each possession, the Brazilian attacker's fluidity of motion and skill complemented the deeper-positioned Andrea Pirlo in making the Rossoneri tick.

At Real Madrid it has been a different story since his £49 million move. Kaká was far from terrible in his first season there and, after returning from injury last campaign, he had some good moments.

But after being such a pivotal figure at Milan, he seems on the verge of becoming a fully-fledged luxury player at Madrid.

At times last season the impression was given that Jose Mourinho was struggling to find a place for him in his team, what with Mesut Özil, Ángel di María and Cristiano Ronaldo to contend with in similar positions. The arrival of Nuri Şahin has added to the competition for places.

Kaká at his best is ably equipped to compete with these guys, but it is not a certainty that he will regain his form of old. If this proves to be the case, more worrying for the 29-year-old are his future prospects. There won't be the clamour of a few years ago for his signature when Manchester City reportedly bid around £100 million for him. If clubs are unwilling to fork out the sort of money he and Real Madrid will ask for, Kaká sadly might be looking at more time on the sidelines.

David Beckham

It has been obvious for quite some time that David Beckham is past his prime. Where he is with Los Angeles Galaxy is the perfect place for the former England captain. The elder statesmen in a burgeoning franchise in an ever-improving league, his quality still just about compensating for the ever-decreasing speed.

Still, whether it is his from his camp or just media talk, every now and then there is some speculation suggesting Beckham fancies a crack once more at the Premier League.

When he went on loan with AC Milan for two spells in 2009 and 2010, he hadn't yet suffered the snapped-Achilles injury that fortunately was not so severe as to completely end his career. But even before then, he was looking like he was slowing down.

As recently as January, when he trained with Tottenham Hotspur, a move back to England seemed on the cards. Beckham should think wisely; he is where he is meant to be right now.

Michael Essien

Michael Essien is an especially sad entry onto this list, for this is a player that injuries seemed to have all but cut down in his prime.

The latest setback is a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus that have put him out for a further six months, the third long layoff for the Ghana international over the past two years. What is especially worrying is that after returning from injury last season, a player who has made a career our of his dynamic midfield displays looked a little off his usual pace.

This latest injury will not help Essien in that respect. If nothing else he might have to write off the remainder of 2011/2012.

The Chelsea midfielder is 28-years-old and can look to other players who were older and managed to come back after serious injuries. But it won't be easy, and it is hard to imagine him being as effective for both club and country as he once was.

Steven Gerrard

Probably one of the most controversial entries on this list, Liverpool fans certainly would be loathe to even consider that their legendary captain is past his best.

The facts are Steven Gerrard is now 31-years-old, and has increasingly been sufferering with the knocks and niggles that can plague a footballer's career. Not enough to keep a player out that long individually, but when they add up it can be quite the total.

Gerrard is not at that point yet, but there is reason for him to be concerned. Players of his ilk, from Dave Mackay through to Bryan Robson, have paid the consequences for their total commitment to their team's cause. Gerrard is a worthy addition to such names in the way that he has driven Liverpool forward when other things have been straining to drag them back.

But he won't be able to do this for ever. With that said, Kenny Dalglish already seems to be gearing up his Liverpool squad to accommodate Gerrard in a way that he no longer has to carry the load as he has been tasked with for so long.

Charlie Adam, Luis Suarez and the improving Lucas Leiva will help carry the creative burden that was so heavily placed on Gerrard's shoulders after the departure of Xabi Alonso. Others, like Jay Spearing and Jordan Henderson, might too prove to be the right players to help tough it out in the engine room.

So yes, Gerrard may well be past his prime, but that doesn't mean he is completely done yet.

Gennaro Gattuso

Okay, labelling the definition of tenacious that is Gennaro Gattuso a superstar might seem a tad over the top, but since he is a player that has won two Champions Leagues and a World Cup he just about has the necessary credentials.

There is no doubting that Gattuso earned those medals. Arguably the best defensive midfielder of the past decade, the Italian international was the man that was a big reason in allowing his club and country team-mate Andrea Pirlo to go and play. He grafted and tackled, was nearly always at the heels of the opposition, and generally made a nuisance of himself.

The problem for such players is the curse of age invariably catches up, and makes it that bit more difficult for them to make an impact with younger legs around to show them up. Against Tottenham in the Champions League last season, Gattuso's frustrations came out in full force in the touchline tussles with Spurs first team coach Joe Jordan.

Still, his leadership qualities will ensure there is still a place for him a while yet among the artisans of the Milan midfield.