FITNESS AT 40: THE SCIENTIFIC REASON JAMES MILNER STILL OUTRUNS PLAYERS HALF HIS AGE
James Milner breaks Gareth Barry’s record! Explore the 40-year-old's miracle recovery and his future at Brighton under Fabian Hurzeler.
When James Milner broke the Premier League appearance record last weekend, you could see how much it meant to him. Not just because of the number, but because, honestly, there was a time last season when it looked like he might never play again.
He’d limped off against Arsenal in August 2024. At first, people thought he’d be out for a few weeks, nothing serious. But things went sideways. A simple knee operation turned complicated, and six months later, he still couldn’t lift his foot or even wiggle his toes.
“Things change fast in football, especially at my age,” Milner said this week at Brighton’s training ground. He was sitting with a bunch of reporters, taking it all in. “Last year, I couldn’t lift my foot for six months. Most people – surgeons, physios, anyone who knew the injury – thought I was finished. I get it.”
Somehow, after nearly nine months of gruelling rehab, the 40-year-old came back. He stepped off the bench for Brighton in the closing minutes against Tottenham on the final day. That moment wasn’t just another appearance; it was the result of sheer stubbornness and a refusal to let his career end on someone else’s terms.
Last weekend, Milner made his 654th Premier League appearance, more than anyone else. Twenty-four seasons in a row. He’s a proper legend. There’s a photo of him at 16, making his debut for Leeds back in 2002-03. He played that match nearly three years before his current teammate, Jack Hinshelwood, was even born.
If anything sums Milner up, it’s that drive to prove people wrong. “That’s probably why I’m still playing,” he said. He only managed four appearances in 2024-25, but he wasn’t going to let injury decide when he stopped. “I wanted to prove I could come back, that I wouldn’t let my career finish in a way I couldn’t control. Not many thought I could return. But that pushed me.”
Milner passed Gareth Barry, his old England, Man City, and Aston Villa teammate, to take the record. He’s racked up 61 England caps and played for Leeds, Newcastle, Villa, City, Liverpool, and Brighton, and he even did a short loan at Swindon when he was 17.
You get why he’s so respected. When he hit the record, the tributes poured in. Fans from every club he’s played for had nothing but good to say about him. Milner joked his phone “blew up" with messages from all over, including Barry, who once convinced him to try yoga in the later years of his career.
At 40, Milner’s still in amazing shape. No grey hair, muscles straining under his training top. He laughs about how his ankles crack when he tries to sneak into his kids’ rooms at night. He’s genuinely funny, always quick with a self-deprecating joke.
That resilience, coming back from a career-threatening injury and pushing through doubts, has always been part of him. Even back when Graeme Souness, his manager at Newcastle, loaned him to Aston Villa, Souness said, “You won’t win the league with James Milners.” Souness didn’t last the season, and Milner went on to win three Premier League titles, two with City, one with Liverpool, and the Champions League.
Twenty-one managers, countless challenges, and still, that motivation to prove people wrong hasn’t faded. “There are always doubters, no matter what you do,” he said. He credits his dad, Peter, for that mindset. “You want to be the best, and proving people wrong has always been in my head.”
This week, Milner took home three Guinness World Records: most Premier League appearances (654), most consecutive seasons played (24), and the longest gap between first and last Premier League goals (22 years and 248 days). Not bad for a kid from Leeds who just wouldn’t quit.
James Milner has picked up three Premier League titles, even though plenty of people once doubted him. Now, at 40 years and 54 days old, he’s not done yet. He’s open to staying at Brighton for another season, and, honestly, he might even have his eye on breaking Teddy Sheringham’s record as the oldest outfield player in Premier League history. Sheringham was 40 years and 272 days old when he set that mark. Milner’s getting close.
His contract runs out this summer. Brighton’s new boss, Fabian Hurzeler, says he wants Milner to stick around for another year, but nothing’s official yet. So, what’s next? Nobody really knows, not even Milner.
“I’m very open to playing another year,” he says. “Whether I will or not, I’m not sure. I haven’t had any conversations with the club yet; they have to want me, too. Earlier in the season, I said, ‘Let’s get to February and see where we’re at.’ Well, we’re here now, so let’s see. For now, I’m just working every day, and, hopefully, the last few games showed I can still help out on the pitch.”
As for life after football, Milner’s not rushing into coaching. First, he wants to take a break, get some rest, and figure things out. He says he’s not worried about retiring, though he might miss the daily structure of football. Maybe he’ll run a few marathons just to keep pushing himself.
Looking back, Milner thinks his best season was at Aston Villa. But being there at the start of Manchester City’s rise and then helping bring Liverpool back to the top – those are the moments he’s proudest of.
Above all, Milner just feels lucky. “When I was younger, if we had a bad first half, you’d see teacups flying and people punching walls in the dressing room,” he says with a laugh. “Things have changed, but there’s a lot of good in the game now, too. I just feel fortunate that I’ve played through two different eras.”
It’d be a mistake to count Milner out. He’s still got plenty left.
LIVERPOOL TARGET EMILIANO MARTINEZ AS JUVENTUS CLOSE IN ON LEGEND ALISSON BECKER
Discover why FSG are targeting Emi Martinez to replace Alisson, as Villa face pressure to sell their highest-earning players.
There’s growing talk about Liverpool potentially moving for Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez as they weigh up options if Alisson Becker leaves for Juventus this summer, according to TEAMtalk.
Alisson has been a rock for Liverpool since they paid a hefty fee to sign him from Roma in 2018. Over eight seasons, he’s helped secure six major trophies, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League, earning a reputation as one of the club’s best-ever goalkeepers.
But with his contract expiring in just over a year, it seems likely he might leave for a new challenge abroad. Sources suggest Juventus are confident about signing him this summer and has also been targeting other Premier League players.
This potential departure has pushed Liverpool’s owners, FSG, to explore the goalkeeper market carefully and consider strong replacements for such a key position.
Sources confirm that Martinez is once again drawing significant transfer interest ahead of the window. Aston Villa, meanwhile, are under pressure to balance their books and have Martinez, one of their highest earners with a contract until 2029, firmly on their minds.
Villa has begun looking into possible replacements too, making enquiries about several goalkeepers, including Manchester City’s James Trafford.
Martinez’s situation is catching attention across Europe, and Liverpool is among the clubs aware he could be available.
Within Liverpool’s recruitment team, Martinez is highly regarded and seen as a serious candidate should Alisson depart. Juventus has offered Alisson an attractive long-term contract, something Liverpool could match, but apparently are hesitant to do so at this point.
Discussions between Alisson and Juventus have reportedly progressed well, with the player keen to test himself in Serie A. This uncertainty has made Liverpool carefully consider their next steps in goal.
While youngster Giorgi Mamardashvili is promising, there’s still some doubt about whether he’s ready to immediately take on the number one role at a club chasing top honours every season.
That has led Liverpool to broaden its search and look at more experienced options. Martinez stands out for his leadership, mentality, and top-level experience, qualities Liverpool values highly, given his recent performances for both Villa and Argentina.
His reputation as a commanding figure and elite shot-stopper also makes him attractive to those handling Liverpool’s recruitment.
Aston Villa aren’t pushing Martinez out aggressively, but they acknowledge a significant offer could force serious talks this summer. With financial realities to face, tough decisions might be on the horizon for the Midlands club.
Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, has hinted at a possible “changing of the guard” regarding Alisson this summer, noting that all transfers are carefully considered with the club’s best interests in mind.
He mentioned experience is a factor in keeping players like Alisson, but ultimately it will be the club’s decision, especially with just one year left on the current deal.
While StadiumNest sources say the Juventus move is gaining serious momentum, some journalists believe selling Alisson could turn out to be a major mistake for Liverpool.
At the same time, there’s a growing unease within Liverpool about whether letting Caoimhin Kelleher go last summer was a misstep, which now adds to their uncertainty over goalkeeping options going forward.
ALAN SHEARER SLAMS VAR INCONSISTENCY AFTER ARSENAL SCRAPE PAST WEST HAM IN LONDON
Discover why Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker are questioning VAR consistency following Callum Wilson’s disallowed goal in London.
Alan Shearer didn’t hold back after Arsenal’s tense 1-0 win over West Ham, blasting what he sees as the Premier League’s inconsistent officiating.
West Ham, desperate for points at the bottom of the table, thought they’d snatched a late equaliser when Callum Wilson scored in stoppage time. But VAR caught a foul; Pablo was judged to have collided with Arsenal’s keeper David Raya, and the goal got chalked off. The review dragged on, too, with VAR official Darren England studying the replays for more than four minutes before telling referee Chris Kavanagh to check the monitor himself.
Shearer, chatting with Gary Lineker and Micah Richards on The Rest is Football podcast, admitted the officials probably got it right in the end. Still, he said, VAR hasn’t fixed the bigger problem: referees can’t seem to make consistent calls.
“Some people think that’s a foul; some don’t,” Shearer said. “But where’s the consistency? Every week we’re seeing almost identical incidents.”
He pointed to another recent VAR call last week at Everton; Bernardo Silva drew a holding foul, but Merlin Rohl barely got a second look from the officials. “Where was VAR then?” Shearer asked.
The frustration goes beyond just the players and coaches. “Fans will show you screenshots of similar moments, and sometimes it’s a foul; sometimes it’s nothing. That’s why people are upset.”
West Ham walk away empty-handed, missing out on what could’ve been a crucial point in their relegation battle. Arsenal, meanwhile, hang on at the top, still five clear of Manchester City.
Gary Lineker added his two cents: “Probably a foul, but this isn’t how it’s supposed to work. If I were a West Ham or Man City fan, I’d be angry too. There were all kinds of grappling at that corner, Arsenal players grabbing West Ham attackers everywhere. Sure, keepers get special protection, and maybe it was a foul. But what about everything else going on in the box?”
Wayne Rooney, though, gave the officials some rare credit on his own show. “Clear foul in my book. You can see the arm hit Raya’s face, and he can’t reach the ball. VAR actually did its job in a big moment.”
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