BEAST: I MAY GO UNTIL 40
ADEBAYO AKINFENWA reckons he could yet play on for another year until the ripe old age of 40.
The burly Wycombe Wanderers striker has been nursing a knee problem and may retire at the end of this season – his first at Championship level in a 20-year career.
But with five kids to feed, and his love for the game as strong as ever, Akinfenwa says playing on until he becomes officially middle-aged would be something special.
The devout Christian, who turns 39 in May, said: “I haven’t decided when I will hang up my boots.
“I have to strap up my knee for every game and there are times when I wake up the following day after playing and think, ‘I’m going to retire’.
“I did want to play until I’m 40, which would mean continuing for one more season, but how I feel at the end of this campaign will determine my decision.
“People said I was too big to play professional football, but here I am at 38 having enjoyed two decades in the game and scored over 200 goals.
“It’s a nice feeling – not to prove others wrong, but prove myself right. “My faith is very strong and I thank God on many levels for what I’ve achieved.”
The Chairboys reached the Championship for the first time in their history last season, earning their second promotion in four years under Gareth Ainsworth (above).
They lie in the relegation zone, but Akinfenwa reckons they have been competitive in “90 per cent of our games” and next weekend sees them host Tottenham in the FA Cup fourth round.
Akinfenwa’s side faced Spurs at this stage four years ago and lost 4-3 – after leading 3-2 in the 89th minute.
Liverpool fan Akinfenwa said: “That game still hurts my soul because we were 3-2 up. I thought we had won.
“Then Dele Alli equalised and Son Heung-min scored in the 97th minute, but we still won a lot of admirers from that day.
“When I signed for Wycombe, we were 23rd in League Two, but we’ve had two promotions under Gareth.
“He’s one of the best managers I’ve worked with and I think he can go to the very top.”
Akinfenwa does a weekly Sky Sports Super 6 Podcast with Laura Woods and big-name guests. He also works as a football pundit for Sky.
The player affectionately known as ‘The Beast’ added: “I love working with LW, her energy is pure and she’s one of the best in the business.”