5. Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Mexico
A charismatic and controversial figure, Cuauhtémoc Blanco was a true entertainer. At the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, at the age of 37 years and 151 days, he coolly slotted home a penalty against France. The goal helped secure a famous 2-0 victory
for Mexico over the 2006 finalists. Famed for his unique 'Cuauhtemiña' bunny-hop dribble, Blanco’s goal made him the first Mexican player to score in three different World Cup tournaments, cementing his legacy as one of his nation's all-time greats. His career was a testament to longevity and a reminder that cleverness and composure can be just as valuable as youthful energy.
4. Gunnar Gren, Sweden
A key member of the legendary 'Gre-No-Li' trio at AC Milan, Gunnar Gren was a playmaker of immense intelligence. During the 1958 World Cup, held in his native Sweden, Gren orchestrated the team's attack with masterful vision. In the semi-final against powerhouse West Germany, he scored a crucial goal that helped lead his team to a 3-1 victory. At 37 years and 236 days old, he became the oldest World Cup goalscorer at that time. Sweden would eventually fall to a Brazil team inspired by a teenage Pelé in the final, but Gren’s performance throughout the tournament was a masterclass in skill and tactical awareness, earning him a place in the tournament's All-Star Team.
3. Pepe, Portugal
Known for his fierce, uncompromising style of defending, Pepe proved at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar that he is also a major threat from set-pieces. At 39 years and 283 days old, the Portuguese centre-back rose to head home a powerful goal from a corner kick against Switzerland in the Round of 16. This goal not only gave Portugal a commanding 2-0 lead in a match they would go on to win 6-1, but it also made Pepe the oldest player to ever score in a World Cup knockout match. It was a defining moment for the veteran, a testament to his incredible physical condition and enduring will to win at the highest level.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
A player who has made a career of breaking records, Cristiano Ronaldo added another remarkable achievement during the 2026 World Cup. At the age of 41 years and 138 days, he scored against Uzbekistan, making him the second-oldest scorer in the tournament's history. This goal also made him just the second player over 40 to find the net at a World Cup. Already the first man to score in five different World Cups, this strike in his sixth tournament further cemented his legacy of incredible longevity and sustained excellence. The goal was a classic example of his predatory instincts, proving that even in his forties, his hunger for goals remains undiminished.
1. Roger Milla, Cameroon
The undisputed king of veteran goalscorers is Cameroon's Roger Milla, whose story is pure football fairytale. After being famously coaxed out of international retirement by Cameroon's president for the 1990 World Cup, the 38-year-old became a global star. Four years later, at the 1994 tournament in the USA, he did the unthinkable. At 42 years and 39 days old, Milla scored a consolation goal against Russia, breaking his own record to become the oldest goalscorer in World Cup history. The strike, and his iconic corner flag dance celebration, encapsulated the joy and spirit he brought to the game, creating a record that has stood for decades.
