Leeds United icon Mirco Antenucci scores brace on 40th birthday eight years after leaving club

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Professional football seems to become too much for players these days normally between the ages of 35 and 38 but there is the rare, odd exception of an outfield player reaching 40.

Cristiano Ronaldo of course, reminded all what he is capable of with his 900th career goal this week for Portugal. He continues to impress albeit in the Saudi Pro League, where quality is rapidly increasing.

But most players get to the age of 35 and look for one last pay cheque. Liam Cooper turned 33 in the summer and the former Leeds captain has finally found a club. Cooper is set to join CSKA Sofia today.

Signing a two-year deal, it is expected to be Cooper’s last big move, taking him until 35. Goalkeepers might end up reaching 40, but it is rare that an outfield player and especially attacking players do so.

• READ MORE: Karl Darlow breaks 20-year Wales record on Monday night in 2-1 win

Leeds icon Mirco Antenucci scores brace on 40th birthday

Tell that however, to Leeds icon Mirco Antenucci. The Italian forward joined Leeds in the same window as Cooper back in 2014, Massimo Cellino’s first summer as owner of Leeds in which he made 14 signings.

A controversial figure at Leeds, yet one that won fans over with his passion for the badge, Antenucci went on to play 80 times in league and cup for The Whites and scored 19 goals from a number of positions.

Leaving Leeds in 2016 aged 31, not many could have predicted he would go on to play for another eight years. But Antenucci has done that, scoring a brace on his 40th birthday on Sunday for Italian side SPAL.

Antenucci’s career so far as he proves age is just a number

Captaining third-tier Italian side SPAL in his second spell at the club, he netted a brace but could not prevent his side losing 3-2 to Lucchese. Astonishingly, it was Antenucci’s 737th career outing at club level.

In that time, he has scored 216 goals. An excellent ratio over such a long time of a goal between every three and four games, while also laying on a whopping 57 assists and he will continue to add to that.

Of Antenucci’s 12 clubs, Leeds are the only side not based in Italy. In terms of appearances, his 80 for Leeds is the fourth-highest among his 12 clubs and for that he will be remembered fondly in Yorkshire.