The FIFA World Cup has always been a stage where records are created, and legends are remembered for generations. While many of the tournament’s greatest moments belong to rising stars, some of the most remarkable achievements have come from veterans who refused to let age define their careers. The FIFA World Cup has always been a stage where records are created, and legends are remembered for generations. While many of the tournament’s greatest moments belong to rising stars, some of the most remarkable achievements have come from veterans who refused to let age define their careers.
Over the decades, soccer fans have witnessed unforgettable performances from experienced players representing their national team on the biggest stage. From iconic goals to historic appearances, several players have shown that experience can still make a difference when the pressure is at its highest.
Modern soccer is often associated with youth, pace, and physical intensity. Most players reach their peak during their twenties, making it increasingly difficult to remain competitive deep into their thirties, let alone beyond that.
Yet a select group of players has managed to extend their careers well beyond conventional expectations. Their longevity has allowed them to leave unique marks on World Cup history, creating records that have proven incredibly difficult to break.
Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal.
Several notable names feature among the oldest goalscorers in tournament history. Players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi all found the net at ages when many players had already retired from international soccer.
The man at the top of the list
The answer to the question is Roger Milla, the legendary Cameroonian forward who remains the oldest player ever to score at a men’s World Cup.
Milla was 42 years and 39 days old when he scored against Russia during the 1994 World Cup in the United States. That goal remains one of the most enduring records in soccer history and has stood untouched for more than three decades.
Roger Milla #9 of Cameroon has arms raised against Russia
The veteran striker scored Cameroon’s only goal during a 6-1 defeat to Russia in the group stage. Although the result was disappointing for the African national team, Milla’s goal ensured that his name would forever be written into World Cup folklore.
What makes the achievement even more remarkable is that Milla had already held the record before 1994. During the 1990 World Cup in Italy, he scored memorable goals at the age of 38, helping Cameroon become the first African national team to reach the quarter-finals of the competition.
The goal that broke his own record
By the time the 1994 World Cup arrived, Milla was already considered a soccer elder statesman. Many expected his role to be limited, but he once again delivered a historic moment. After entering the match against Russia, he scored shortly after coming onto the pitch, extending his own record and proving that his instincts had not disappeared.
Roger Milla
The achievement was partially overshadowed by Russian striker Oleg Salenko, who scored five goals in the same match. Nevertheless, Milla’s strike became one of the tournament’s most memorable moments because of the extraordinary age at which it was scored. To this day, he remains the only player over the age of 40 to score a goal at a men’s World Cup.
The closest challengers
Several famous players have come close to breaking Milla’s record, but none have managed to surpass it. Pepe ranks second on the all-time list after scoring for Portugal against Switzerland at the 2022 World Cup at the age of 39 years and 283 days. The veteran defender’s powerful header helped Portugal secure a convincing victory in the knockout stage.
RankPlayerAgeMatchDate1.Roger Milla42 years, 39 daysCameroon vs Russia28 June 19942.Pepe39 years, 283 daysPortugal vs Switzerland6 December 20223.Lionel Messi38 years, 357 daysArgentina vs Algeria16 June 20264.Cristiano Ronaldo37 years, 292 daysPortugal vs Ghana24 November 20225.Gunnar Gren37 years, 236 daysSweden vs West Germany24 June 19586.Cuauhtemoc Blanco37 years, 151 daysMexico vs France17 June 20107.Felipe Baloy37 years, 120 daysPanama vs England24 June 20188.Obdulio Varela36 years, 279 daysUruguay vs England26 June 19549.Martin Palermo36 years, 227 daysArgentina vs Greece22 June 201010.Georges Bregy36 years, 152 daysSwitzerland vs USA18 June 1994
Shortly behind him comes Lionel Messi, who moved into third place after scoring during Argentina’s 2026 World Cup opener against Algeria at 38 years and 357 days old.
Cristiano Ronaldo also occupies a place near the top of the rankings. His penalty against Ghana at the 2022 World Cup came when he was 37 years and 292 days old, making him one of the oldest goalscorers in tournament history.