In a remarkable move that blurs the lines between elite sport and grassroots football, former Manchester United captain Antonio Valencia has signed for a Sunday league team. The 40-year-old Ecuadorian icon is set to lace up his boots for Wythenshawe Vets over-35s, a side that has garnered global attention for its astonishing roster of retired Premier League talent.
A Who's Who of Footballing Legends
The amateur club, based in Greater Manchester and competing in the Cheshire Veterans Football League, boasts a starting line-up that reads like a Premier League hall of fame. Valencia now joins a squad featuring familiar names such as Danny Drinkwater, Emile Heskey, George Boyd, Maynor Figueroa, Oumar Niasse, and Papiss Cisse. The team's recruitment is reportedly spearheaded by former Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland, who has been instrumental in bringing together this wealth of ex-professional experience.
The club announced Valencia's imminent arrival via a teaser video on TikTok, showcasing highlights from his illustrious career. The post was captioned with a promise that the Premier League and FA Cup winner would soon be gracing the Avensure Community Stadium.
Dominance on the Pitch and League Leadership
Wythenshawe Vets are not just a collection of famous names; they are a formidable footballing force. Their prowess was on full display in a recent Manchester FA Veterans County Cup match, where they demolished Reddish North End Veterans by an astonishing 18-0 scoreline, with eleven of those goals coming in the second half alone.
This follows another headline-grabbing performance last year, a 13-0 thrashing of South Liverpool that attracted national media coverage. In that match, former Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse scored an incredible seven goals, igniting a personal Golden Boot race with Stephen Ireland. After just three league games, Cisse leads that race with 13 goals to Ireland's 10.
As a result of such dominant displays, Wythenshawe currently sit top of the Premier Division in the over-35s league. They lead on goal difference from Radcliffe Old Boys, despite having played three fewer games due to weather-related postponements in November.
More Than Just a Game: The Club's Ethos
For these retired stars, the project is about far more than reliving past glories. In an interview with Sky Sports, Stephen Ireland explained the deeper motivation. "We're all retired, and it's nice to get together to continue to play football, keep fit and also from the mental health side of things," he said. "A lot of lads can feel a bit stranded and alone when they come out of football. We all live in the same area, so we help each other."
The story may yet have another blockbuster chapter. Rumours are circulating that Manchester United's all-time record goalscorer, Wayne Rooney, is considering joining the Sunday league set-up. If true, his arrival would represent the biggest coup yet for this extraordinary community club, proving that the beautiful game's appeal truly is ageless.
