Nice's Dante Becomes Oldest Outfield Player in Europa League History
Nice defender Dante set a unique achievement by taking the field in a Europa League match at the age of 42 years and 96 days. The Brazilian broke his own record, becoming the oldest outfield player in the tournament's history.
Eternal Defender: 42-Year-Old Dante Becomes Oldest Outfield Player in Europa League History
Main Event
Defender and captain of French side Nice, Dante Bonfim, set a unique achievement that is unlikely to be surpassed in the coming years. On September 24, 2025, in the home match of the first round of the 2025/2026 Europa League group stage against Italian side Roma, the Brazilian took the field at the age of 41 years, 11 months, and 6 days (more precisely 41 years and 341 days or 42 years and 96 days, depending on the calculation method) and became the oldest outfield player in the tournament's history.
The match at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice ended in a 1:2 defeat for the hosts, but for the captain of "Les Aiglons," this evening will forever remain in football history. Dante played the entire match from start to finish, matching his younger opponents in both physical battles and tactical awareness.
Details and Statistics
Record Age
Dante surpassed the achievement previously held by legendary Spanish midfielder Joaquín Sánchez. In March 2023, Joaquín, playing for Real Betis, took the field against Manchester United at the age of 41 years, 7 months, and 23 days, holding the record for two and a half years.
Dante beat this mark by over 100 days, becoming the sole record holder among outfield players. Notably, the Brazilian broke his own record — he had previously been among the oldest players, but now officially holds the top spot.
Who Else Is on the List?
The absolute record holders in the Europa League remain goalkeepers:
| Place | Player | Position | Age |
|-------|--------|----------|-----|
| 1 | Brad Friedel (USA) | Goalkeeper | 42 years, 10 months, 2 days |
| 2 | Sander Boschker (Netherlands) | Goalkeeper | 42 years, 1 month, 2 days |
| 3 | Dante (Brazil) | Outfield player | 42 years, 96 days |
Thus, Dante is the third oldest player in Europa League history and the first among outfield players. To reach Friedel's absolute record, the Brazilian would need to play for almost another year, but his contract with Nice runs until June 2026, when he plans to retire.
Expert Ratings
Despite his age, Dante showed a commendable level in the match against Roma. According to statistical portals, the defender received 7.0 points from Sofascore (third best in the team) and 6.7 points from WhoScored (fourth best).
Context and Significance
Legend's Journey
Dante began his professional career in 2002, when the tournament was still called the UEFA Cup and the first iPhone did not exist. Over 23 years at the highest level, the Brazilian has:
- Won the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg (2009) and three times with Bayern Munich (2013, 2014, 2015)
- Won the Champions League with Bayern Munich (2013)
- Won the DFB-Pokal (2013, 2014) and the UEFA Super Cup (2013)
- Played for Nice since 2016, making 315 appearances for the club
Dante began his career in France at the Allianz Riviera, and it is here that he decided to end his football journey.
Dante's "Last Dance"
The 2025/26 season was announced by the Brazilian as his farewell. In the summer of 2025, Dante stated that this would be his last year in professional football. The French Ligue 1 even organized the filming of a documentary series about him in the style of Michael Jordan's legendary "The Last Dance" — the project is titled "The Last Dante".
However, the farewell season has been tough for the veteran. His knees are letting him down — of the last 11 injuries Dante has suffered in his career, all have been to this part of his body. In the 2025/26 season, he missed over 20 matches, and after 27 rounds of Ligue 1, Nice is just 5 points above the relegation zone, sitting in the lower part of the table.
Nice's European campaign also ended in disappointment. The club finished 33rd in the Europa League group stage, failing to reach the playoffs. Dante played only 2 or 3 matches in the tournament, including the record-breaking game against Roma.
The Only Ray of Hope
Despite the setbacks in the league and European competitions, Dante and Nice still have a chance for a fairytale ending. The team reached the semi-finals of the Coupe de France, where they will face Strasbourg. If "Les Aiglons" win, they will face either Lens or Toulouse in the final. Winning the Coupe de France would be Nice's first major trophy since the 1969/1970 season — more than half a century ago.
This is exactly how the documentary's scriptwriters dream of ending "The Last Dante" — with the veteran triumphantly lifting the trophy in his final season.
What's Next / Next Match Preview
Dante's contract with Nice expires on June 30, 2026, and according to available information, the Brazilian will end his professional career then.
He has a few matches left in Ligue 1 and, possibly, decisive Coupe de France games. The semi-final against Strasbourg will be the Nice captain's last chance for a trophy.
Dante's record will likely stand in Europa League history for many years. Modern football is becoming increasingly intense and demanding physically, and having an outfield player over 42 at this level is a unique phenomenon. Potential future contenders could be, for example, Cristiano Ronaldo (41) or Lionel Messi (38), but both have long left European football.
Editorial Forecast
The finale of Dante's career is not about records, but about dignity. At 42, after two decades at the top, the Brazilian continues to take the field despite knee injuries and team struggles. His chance for a beautiful farewell lies in the Coupe de France. Nice is quite capable of beating Strasbourg in the semi-final, and in a hypothetical final, Lens and Toulouse do not seem insurmountable opponents. The probability that Dante will end his career with a trophy is around 40-50% — for a veteran whose team is fighting for survival in Ligue 1, this is a very high figure. Football gods love beautiful scripts, and "The Last Dante" could well have a Hollywood ending.
— Editorial Team
