Without a doubt, stamina, speed and age play a vital role in football. Soccer players have to keep up with the game’s pace for the entire time on the field.
But certain players continue to defy the odds, dominating the field with their hard work and perseverance, irrespective of their age.
Mamelodi Sundowns defender Lyle Lakay has named two international stars who prove the statement, ‘Age is just a number’ currently in world football. At 30, he draws inspiration from the duo of Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Thiago Silva of Chelsea will keep on playing for many years.
Coincidentally, Lakay met Modric when he visited Tottenham during his days at the SuperSport Academy. Modric, widely regarded as the best Croatian footballer of all time, joined Real Madrid two years after the encounter with ‘Lylo’ at White Hart Lane.
“I met Luka Modric at Tottenham when I went there under a SuperSport programme,” he told FARPost a few months ago.
“We get good examples every day of Luka Modric at Real Madrid and Thiago Silva [at Chelsea]. They are on top of the game at 35 and 36. I think football is moving in a different direction now in terms of age. When you are on the other side of 30, they say you are almost finished, but the guys prove that age is just a number,” Lakay told the SAFA media team.
“As long as you got the legs, you can play at the highest level. I feel like I can go for another six-seven years.”
The talented fullback, crowned the 2021/22 Defender of the Season, reacted to winning an award, saying it came as a surprise.
“It was a surprise for me to be nominated for the defender of the season because they usually nominate central defenders for the award. I was surprised, but with my numbers, goals, assists and clean sheets we kept as a team, I think it contributed to winning the award,” said Lakay.
“It spurs me on [winning the awards]; I equalled last season’s tally, which is good. I would take it as motivation to do better next season. It hasn’t sunk yet because I came straight to Bafana after the season was over.”
“Personal awards are good, but I’m more of a team player. If I get personal awards, it reflects well on the team; if the team achieves and wins trophies, then personal awards come afterwards.”
