The 5 oldest goalscorers in World Cup history

Who is the oldest player to ever score in a World Cup game?

Football is a sport that transcends age, and the World Cup is no exception. In fact, some of the most iconic moments in the tournament’s history have come from players well past their prime. In this article, we’ll take a look at the five oldest goalscorers in World Cup history.

5- Cuauhtémoc Blanco (37 years, 151 days)

Mexican striker Cuauhtémoc Blanco scored his final World Cup goal in the 2010 tournament, when he was 37 years and 151 days old. Blanco had a long and illustrious career in Mexico, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the country’s history.

4- Gunnar Gren (37 years, 236 days)

Gunnar Gren was a Swedish footballer who played as a forward. He scored his final World Cup goal in the 1958 tournament, when he was 37 years and 236 days old. Gren was a key figure in the great Sweden side of the 1940s and 1950s, and went on to have a successful managerial career.

3- Cristiano Ronaldo (37 years, 295 days)

Cristiano Ronaldo also made the list with his goal against Ghana during the group stage of the 2022 World Cup. At 37 years and 295 days old, Ronaldo proved he still had what it takes to compete at the highest level. While Portugal did not make it very far in the tournament, Ronaldo’s record-breaking goal demonstrated his enduring talent and dedication to the sport. He remains one of the greatest footballers of all time and continues to break records year after year.

2- Pepe (39 years, 283 days)

Portugal’s Pepe broke Ronaldo’s record to become the oldest Portuguese goalscorer in the World Cup when he scored against Switzerland in the last-16 round of the 2022 tournament. Pepe was 39 years and 283 days old at the time.

1- Roger Milla (42 years, 39 days)

Cameroonian striker Roger Milla is the oldest goalscorer in World Cup history. He scored four goals in the 1990 tournament, including two in the knockout stages, when he was 42 years and 39 days old. Milla’s performances helped Cameroon reach the quarter-finals of the tournament, and he became a cult hero in the process.