Top six oldest goalscorers in Euro history

These players have defied their age and made it to this list.

The UEFA European Football Championship famously known as Euros has had a plethora of legendary goalscorers. Since its inception in 1960, the Euros have become one of the best football tournaments in the world. Thierry Henry, Zinedine Zidane, Gerd Muller and many more have graced the Euros.

The Euros have had its fair share of young blooming talents as well as veteran experienced players. Amongst the veteran and older players, some have continued to score goals despite their age.

Let’s take a look at the top six oldest players to score in the history of Competition.

6. Cristiano Ronaldo – 36 years, 138 days old

The top scorer in the history of Euros, the top assist provider, most appearances in the history of Comp – these legendary accolades belong to Cristiano Ronaldo and he has rightfully earned them. Ronaldo is a great example of working hard to perform at the highest level and still deliver results despite his age.

Cristiano Ronaldo made it to this list after scoring two penalty goals against France in the Euro 2020 group stage. Portugal, France, Hungary and Germany were placed in group F of the Euro 2020. Surprisingly enough, Portugal topped the group and drew against France courtesy of Ronaldo’s calm and composed penalties.

5. Gareth McAuley – 36 years, 194 days old

Northern Ireland had a great run in their first-ever Euros tournament and Gareth McAuley played a key role in it. Gareth McAuley scored Northern Ireland’s first-ever goal in the Euros in 2016.

The Euro 2016 started on a bad note for Northern Ireland since they lost their opening match to Poland. Eventually, Northern Ireland made it up for themselves and won their remaining matches. In the second match against Ukraine, McAuley, a 36-year-old defender scored a header from a free-kick. Northern Ireland bowed out of the tournament in the Round of 16 after they lost to Wales. Nonetheless, his goal was an iconic moment.

Also read: Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Who has won more international trophies?

4. Zoltán Gera – 37 years, 61 days old

Yet another goal from the Euro 2016 tournament. Hungary were placed in Group F alongside Portugal, Austria and Iceland. To everyone’s surprise, Hungary put up a great fight in one of the most entertaining matches at Euro 2016. Hungary drew 3-3 with Portugal and surprisingly topped Group F.

In their emphatic 3-3 draw against eventual winners Portugal, Zoltán Gera made a record of his own. Gera scored the opening goal for Hungary and this made him the second oldest goalscorer at the time. Gera has scored 26 goals for his national team throughout his career but this was his second ever goal in a major tournament and it was surely iconic.

3. Goran Pandev – 37 years, 321 days old

Just like McAuley, Goran Pandev also had a historic moment scoring his country’s first-ever goal in the Euros. North Macedonia faced Austria in the group stage of the Euros 2020. Pandev’s 28th-minute strike was North Macedonia’s first-ever goal in the Comp.

Despite losing the match and eventually exiting the Euros, Pandev had an iconic moment showing that he still has it in him despite his age.

2. Ivica Vastic – 38 years, 257 days old

Ivica Vastic held the record of being the oldest goalscorer in the history of the Euros for a staggering sixteen years. In the 2008 edition of the Euros, Austria had a fairly disappointing tournament. They were eliminated in the group stage itself however Ivica Vastic made the best of what he had.

Vastic came on as a substitute in a group-stage match against Poland in the Euros 2008. His appearance marked his 50th and final cap for Austria. The player made sure it was a memorable last performance. His 93rd-minute penalty goal against Poland secured a solitary point for Austria as they bowed out of the tournament.

1. Luka Modric – 38 years, 294 days old

Playing football as athletes age becomes difficult and difficult. However, playing football at the top level of European football for one of the best teams in the world and delivering results for them is extraordinary. Luka Modric is the extraordinaire having defied his age over the past few years and still performing consistently and efficiently.

Modric made it to this list after scoring a goal against Italy in the group-stage match of Euro 2024. Italy versus Croatia was a very tense match and the latter needed to beat the former since the Checkered Ones were yet to win a single game in the group stage.

Luka Modric gave Croatia hope after they received a penalty. Modric’s penalty was saved by Italy goalkeeper Donnarumma. After just 33 seconds, scored the goal and Croatia led 1-0 against Italy. Unfortunately, they conceded a late goal against Italy which saw them get eliminated from the tournament. The unhappy occasion did see Luka Modric taking the record of being the oldest-ever goalscorer in the history of the Comp.

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