Five oldest goalscorers in history of Indian Super League

Some of these records look like they will not be broken anytime soon.

With every passing season, the Indian Super League (ISL) has transformed to be a better version for the football loving people in the country. The standard of football has gone higher and also the emergence of youngsters has been a landmark for the league which is still very young.

However, right at the inception of the cash-rich league, it was mostly about big names coming to Indian soil at the fag end of their career. Speaking of the veterans, we take a look at the top five oldest goalscorers in ISL history.

5. Piti (38 years 6 months 17 days)

https://youtu.be/x34s3SZQIqY?t=13

The Spaniard caught the eye of Indian football fans last season when he joined Jamshedpur FC. Piti showed great glimpses of his exceptional dribbling abilities and vision and combined well with Sergio Castel. Unfortunately, the attacking midfielder received an injury blow and was sidelined for most of the season. His injury created a void for the Men of Steel from which they never recovered and finished eighth.

Nevertheless, on 13th December in 2019, when Piti scored from a penalty to put his side ahead against the Kerala Blasters, he became the fifth-oldest goalscorer in ISL history. The Spanish midfielder is currently plying his trade at Greek Super League outfit PAS Lamia.

4. Tim Cahill (39 years 6 days)

https://youtu.be/Bnye4LUSJE8?t=221

The Australian legend's arrival on Indian soil was a huge factor for a growing league like ISL. Although Cahill was nowhere near his prime to play day-in-day-out, the youngsters in India learned from his huge experience which helped them in their game. He was like the glue that kept the whole Jamshedpur team together and also scored twice from his 11 appearances.

However, on 12th December 2018, the former Everton man scored against Delhi Dynamos in their 2-1 victory and became the fourth-oldest goalscorer in ISL. Cahill hung up his boots after his stint with Jamshedpur FC.

3. Silas (39 years 2 months 10 days)

Portuguese attacking midfielder Jorge Manuel Rebelo Fernandes, better known as Silas, joined NorthEast United ahead of the 2015 ISL season. The former Wolves man was one of the vital cogs in midfield for head coach Cesar Farias.

On 11th November 2015, Silas created history as he scored his first goal on Indian soil and also became the third-oldest goalscorer in ISL history. He scored the winner in the Highlanders' 2-1 win over Chennaiyin FC. Silas retired from the sport as a player and was later appointed as the manager of Liga NOS outfit Sporting CP. Currently, he is looking for a new assignment.

2. Alessandro Del Piero (40 years 1 month)

https://youtu.be/zC8SOHIsQYM?t=78

One of the biggest ambassadors of the sport, Alessandro Del Piero plied his trade for Delhi Dynamos in the inaugural season of the ISL. Del Piero may not have been at his prime when he came to India, but his presence helped the league gain traction among fans all over the country.

The Italian legend scored for the Dynamos in their 2-2 draw against Chennaiyin FC on 9th December 204 and became the second-oldest goalscorer in the league's history. The former Juventus star currently works as a football pundit on Sky Sports Italia.

1. Robert Pires (41 years 14 days)

Another big name who came to Indian soil in the inaugural season of ISL and plied his trade for FC Goa. The Arsenal legend showed glimpses of his brilliance for the Gaurs as they finished second in the regular season. Despite getting knocked out in the playoffs, the Frenchman showed immense character and leadership to guide the team to the right patch.

On 13th November 2014, Pires converted from the spot against Delhi Dynamos as the Gaurs dominated proceedings winning the game 4-1. At that moment when he converted the penalty, Pires created history by becoming the oldest goalscorer in the league's history and it looks like a record that won't be broken any time soon.