MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 20:27:11| >> :120:14250:14250:

Gareth Barry: 'Roberto Martinez told me I could play until 40'

Barry: 'I was told I could play until 40'
© Offside
West Bromwich Albion midfielder Gareth Barry recalls a chat with Roberto Martinez in which the former Everton boss told the midfielder that he could play until he is 40.

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Gareth Barry has suggested that he could still be playing professional football beyond his 40th birthday.

The 36-year-old will break Ryan Giggs's record of 632 Premier League appearances should he feature for the Baggies against Arsenal on Monday night.

Barry, who has enjoyed a fruitful 19-year career in the English top flight, recalled a conversation he had with former Everton boss Roberto Martinez about his longevity in the game.

The Englishman told Sky Sports News: "It's definitely a possibility. I was 32 when I signed for Everton and Roberto Martinez said, 'Your style of game - you can play until you're 40'.

"I'm sitting there laughing at him, but he was deadly serious, and I still laughed. It's still going to be tough, but for a manager to tell me that four to five years ago is a good compliment, which was nice to hear.

"I'm immensely proud to get there. Whether it will stay around for long I don't know."

Barry, who joined Albion from Everton in the summer, has a year's option on his initial 12-month deal.

ID:308031: cacheID:308031:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2170:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
England's Gareth Barry celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the friendly football match between England and Sweden at the Wembley Stadium in London, on November 15, 2011
Read Next:
Barry: "I want to go as long as possible"
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds1695228121632
2Sunderland1695226121432
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1610422191232
4Burnley168621961330
5Middlesbrough1683529191027
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom166821811726
7Watford168262524126
8Millwall166641914524
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City165742020022
11Derby CountyDerby165562020020
12Stoke CityStoke165561920-120
13Norwich CityNorwich164752524119
14Swansea CitySwansea165471414019
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds165471826-819
16Luton TownLuton165381826-818
17Coventry CityCoventry164572223-117
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd164571924-517
19Plymouth ArgylePlymouth164571728-1117
20Preston North EndPreston163761624-816
21Cardiff CityCardiff164481524-916
22Hull City163671621-515
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR161871326-1311


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!