Top Oldest Goal Scorers in FIFA World Cup History
Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t secure a World Cup title this summer, but he set three new records during the tournament in North America. His goal against Uzbekistan in the group stage made him the first male player to score in six different World Cup editions, matching Lionel Messi for the most tournaments played.
Ronaldo’s equalizing goal versus Croatia in the round of 32 also set a record as he became the oldest player to net a goal in a World Cup knockout match, aged 41 years and 147 days.
Still, the record for the oldest goal scorer at a World Cup belongs to Roger Milla, the Cameroonian legend who scored at 42 years and 39 days during the 1994 USA World Cup.
This year’s tournament highlighted several veteran players, including Messi, Marko Arnautovic, and Ivan Perisic, all ranking within the top ten oldest goal scorers.
List of Oldest World Cup Goal Scorers
- Martin Palermo (Argentina) – 36 years & 227 days
- Georges Bregy (Switzerland) – 36 years & 152 days
- Ramin Rezaeian (Iran) – 36 years & 97 days
- Olivier Giroud (France) – 36 years & 71 days
- Tom Finney (England) – 36 years & 64 days
- Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 36 years & 29 days
- John Aldridge (Republic of Ireland) – 35 years & 279 days
- Nils Liedholm (Sweden) – 35 years & 264 days
- Hassan Al-Haydos (Qatar) – 35 years & 159 days
- Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Netherlands) – 35 years & 151 days
