Old but efficient: Veteran soccer stars still around • 02/08/2013, 11:45 AM

Some of the bigger soccer stars in the 90's and 2000's are still around doing what they love most: Playing soccer. Although most of them may not have the skills and physical shape they had during their prime years, thay have managed to continue a decent career even though they are approaching her 40's. Terra has made a selection of the biggest stars over the age of 36 still active.

Alessandro Del Piero (Italy): After playing most of his professional career with Juventus (spent two seasons in Serie B's Padova before), now at 38, Del Piero currently plays at the Australian A-League where he signed a two-year deal at Sydney FC. He is rumored to be the best paid player ever in the history of the league.

Ryan Giggs (Wales): Another Manchester United legend. He has spent an astonishing 23 seasons at 'Old Trafford' winning 33 titles, holding several records with the club and the premier league. At age 39, he continues to be in great shape and alternates the starter position and is a symbol of the club which hopes he renews for one more season next summer.

Clarence Seedorf (Netherlands): After a hugely succesful career in Europe where he won 4 Champions League titles with Ajax, Real Madrid and Milan, Seedorf moved to Brazil in June 2012 to play for Botafogo, signing a 2 year contract at the age of 36.

Rivaldo (Brazil): The 1999 FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or winner has played for 14 teams in 6 different countries, being his time in Spain with Deportivo and Barcelon, his most successful. Now at age 40, he has signed for one year with Brazilian team Sao Caetano, currently in second division.

Javier Zanetti (Argentina): The defender/midfielder left Argentina's Banfield in 1995 to join Inter Milan where he's been ever since, breaking the all-time appearances record for the club. At 39, and with over 1000 matches played, Zanetti is still a key piece in Inter's starting lineup and runs like a 20 year old kid.

Paul Scholes (England): Already a legend at Manchester United where he has spent all of his career. Scholes decided to retire at the of the 2010-11 season but reveresed his decision 6 months later due to Man Uunited's injury problems. At 38, he continues to be an important player in the squad, appearing as a starter often or from the bench.

Francesco Totti (Italy): The playmaker has spent all his career with Serie A's Roma where he's been since 1993 in the first team. Now at 36, he is still a starter for the 'Giallorossi.'

Brad Friedel (USA): Many goalkeepers manage to make their careers longer than field players, but few do it with the success of American Brad Friedel. He has spent most of his career in England where he has been playing since 1997 with Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham. He played for Galatasaray and Columbus Crew from 1995 to 1997. At 41 he continues to play for the 'Spurs' where he just lost his starter status to Hugo Lloris, but could recover it if the French keeper slips.

Juninho Pernambucano (Brazil): After playing for Sport and Vasco da Gama, the midfielder moved to Ligue 1´s Lyon where he won 7 consecutive league titles (the club had never won any before). He then went to Qatar and returned to Brazil to play for Vasco. He was signed by the New York Red Bull in December, and just turned 38 in January. His amazing free kicks are still a great danger for opposite teams.

Andrés Palop (Spain): He spent half of his career at Valencia where he was second choice goalkeeper for years. He moved to Sevilla in 2005 where he enjoy great success winning two straight UEFA Cup trophies (now Europa league) and getting called up for the Euro 2008 Spanish squad. Today at 39, he continues with Sevilla.

Faryd Mondragón (Colombia): He has played for 11 clubs and spent 10 years in Europe playing for Zaragoza, Metz, Galatasaray and Cologne, after playing for Argentina´s Independiente.He moved to the MLS in 2011 to play for Philadelphia Union and last year went back to his youth club Deportivo Cali where he still playing at 41. He also has been recenly called for the Colombian national team as second choice goalkeeper.

Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Mexico): he has been one of Mexico's most representative players of the last 20 years. Having spent most of his career with Club America with briefs loans with other local clubs, he also played with Spain's Valladolid and Chicago Fire of the MLS before returning to play in Mexico's second division. Cuau celebrated his 40th birthday by extending his contract with his current club Dorados until June.

Alessandro Nesta  (Italy): The central defender will be 37 in March. He divides his career bewteen Lazio and Milan, but he left the 'Rossoneri' last summer to move to the MLS to play with the Montreal Impact.

Marco di Vaio (Italy): The striker has played for 7 different clubs in Italy including Juventus and Parma, and had stints in Spain and France with Valencia and Monaco. Now at 36, he is playing Montreal Impact of the MLS.

Mario Yepes (Colombia): This central defender first moved from Deportivo Cali to River Plate where he became a star and moved to Europe to pla for Nantes, PSG, Chievo and more recently Milan where he plays constantly at age 37.

Mark Schwarzer (Australia): After leaving his native country, Schwarzer moved to Germany where he played two seasons and then went to England in 1996. he became an icon at Middlesborough where he spent 11 seasons and moved in 2008 to Fulham where he is, at age 40, the starting goalkeeper.

César Sánchez (Spain): He spent his early years at Valladolid and played later for Real Madrid, Zaragoza, Tottenham, Valencia and most recently Villarreal for the 2011-12 season. Now at 41, César is currently without a team but has not announced his retirement.

Nicola Legrottaglie (Italy): He has played for 11 different teams in Italy, having his most succesful time at Juventus where he played for 7 seasons. At 36, he is a starter in Catania´s defense

Juan Pablo Ángel (Colombia): The striker left Colombia in 1997 to join Argentina's River Plate, after playing with Premier League's Aston Villa for 6 seasons, he moved to the MLS where he played for NY Red Bulls, LA Galaxy and Chivas USA. Now at 37, Ángel recently returned to his native country to join his first club as a professional Atletico Nacional.

Óscar Pérez (Mexico): He spent most of his career with Cruz Azul, and has played for 4 more Mexican clubs. He was part of Mexico's squad in three World Cups, becoming the starting goalkeeper in Korea/Japan 2002 and South Africa 2010. Recenlty turning 40, he's been with with club San Luis since 2011 being the first choice keeper ever since.

Ze Roberto (Brazil): The midfielder has played for 9 clubs in his career including Real Madrid, but his years in Germany were his most succesful, playing for Levekusen, Hamburg and Bayern Munich (2 stints). He currently plays for Brazilian Gremio at age 38.