AliousFormer Newcastle United and England striker Alan Shearer may have retired from professional football in 2006, but one of his former teammates, Brighton’s James Milner, is still going strong at 39 years old.
Milner’s remarkable career began in November 2002 when, at just 16, he made his debut for Leeds United. Over the years, he has played for Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Liverpool before joining Brighton in 2023.
In 2004, Milner made the move from Leeds to Newcastle, where he played alongside Shearer, making 136 appearances, scoring 11 goals, and providing 20 assists for the Magpies. Now, despite currently being sidelined with a hamstring injury, Milner holds the unique distinction of being the last active player who played before Shearer hung up his boots.
Shearer Reflects on Milner’s Longevity
Milner’s name came up during *The Rest is Football* podcast as Shearer, Gary Lineker, and Micah Richards discussed Brighton’s young manager, Fabian Hürzeler, who, at just 32, is younger than some of his players.
Lineker noted how unusual it must be for Hürzeler to be managing someone significantly older than him, prompting Shearer to chime in: *“I played with James at Newcastle, didn’t I? He’s the only player still playing from that time. He’s had an incredible career.”*
Lineker related Milner’s longevity to his own experience with Ryan Giggs, saying: *“I remember my last ever game was at Old Trafford, and Ryan Giggs was in the opposing team. He was just 17 at the time, and everyone was saying, ‘Wow, what a player.’ Then he went on to play forever, and he ended up being the only one left. You kind of hold on to that. Keep going, James!”*
He then suggested Milner as a potential guest for the podcast, adding: *“He’s had an outstanding career, hasn’t he?”*
Injury Struggles and Uncertain Future
Milner started Brighton’s first three games of the season under Hürzeler but suffered a hamstring injury in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal last September. The recovery process has taken longer than expected, and although his return remains uncertain, Hürzeler hasn’t ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Speaking in December, the Brighton boss praised Milner’s character and influence at the club: *“He is a great personality who gives everything for the team’s success. We still see him as a player, but on top of that, his experience is invaluable. He can help me, he can help the team, and we are always open to his input.”*
Hürzeler also emphasized that Milner has an open line of communication with him: *“He knows he can always share his thoughts with me. We have a lot of discussions. But our priority is getting him back on the pitch as soon as possible, and we are doing everything to support his rehab.”*
A Premier League Stalwart
With 637 Premier League appearances to his name, Milner is second only to Gareth Barry, who holds the all-time record with 653. However, with his Brighton contract set to expire this summer, questions remain about whether he will continue playing or bring his illustrious career to a close.
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