Rio de Janeiro, Jan 9 (IANS): Former Brazil international midfielder Ze Roberto has raised the prospect of playing until the age of 45 as he prepares for his 21st professional football season.

Roberto will this year play for eight-time Brazilian champions Palmeiras after his transfer from local rivals Gremio last month, reports Xinhua.

The 40-year-old former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich player insisted he would be more than just a bit-part player in 2015.

"They say that after 30 a footballer's career is over. I'm 40, but that's just a number," Roberto told a press conference in Sao Paulo Thursday.

Roberto has been capped 84 times for Brazil and was a member of the Selecao's 1998 and 2006 World Cup teams.

Last year, he showed that age had not bogged him down after he was voted the best wide player in Brazil's Serie A championship by the country's football federation.

"All of my best career moments have come after the age of 30," Roberto said.

"That's why I believe I can go until I'm 45, if not 50. I'm 40 but people think I'm 28 or 30."