spalco said:I disagree with Mambo95, that pure athleticism isn't as important in football, but there are a number of reason why footballers generally can't compete at the top level as long as cyclists (although there are many example of world class players playing until around 40 years old) - for starters quickness is somewhat more important than endurance, and career ending injuries are quite frequent (you can only rip your ACL so many times before having to quit). Experience is more critical in cycling than in football imo.
The tactics also change very fast in football - a player who's 40 now became a pro around 1990 (!), that's almost a different sport than it is now. And not everybody has the ambition and the mind to be able to move with the times like that.
That said, I'm certain drugs could make a football player competitive until later in his life.
So much depends on the footballer you are. Owen became useless after he broke his leg but berbatov has never been quick. The same can be said of defenders too, terry and Ferdinand are slow but can read a game well. What is clear is that they would all be better with PED's.