Golden Oldies: The 10 Oldest Goalscorers in the Top-5 Leagues Since 2000
Football often celebrates youth, but some players have defied time and delivered magic well into their forties. These legends showed that age is just a number, finding the back of the net long after most of their peers had retired. Here is a countdown of the ten oldest goalscorers in Europe’s top five leagues since the turn of the millennium.
10. Luka Modrić – 40 Years 0 Months (2025)
Luka Modrić continues to defy logic and expectations by scoring at 40 years old. The Croatian maestro remains a vital creative force and shows that class truly is permanent.
9. Jorge Molina – 40 Years 0 Months (2022)
Jorge Molina made a career out of late peaks, and his 2022 goal was proof of his enduring hunger. His professionalism and physical shape allowed him to keep delivering when most strikers had long hung up their boots.
8. Fabio Quagliarella – 40 Years 3 Months (2023)
Fabio Quagliarella has always been a fan favourite for his spectacular goals and longevity. At 40, he still produced moments of brilliance that reminded everyone why he was one of Serie A’s most elegant forwards.
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7. Donato – 40 Years 4 Months (2003)
Donato was a rock-solid presence in La Liga, and scoring at 40 was the perfect capstone to his career. His leadership and tactical awareness kept him relevant in a league that was getting younger and faster.
6. Dante – 40 Years 6 Months (2024)
Dante’s longevity is astonishing, as he continued to lead from the back and even score crucial goals for Nice. His experience and composure under pressure made him a rare asset even at 40.
5. Claudio Pizarro – 40 Years 7 Months (2019)
Claudio Pizarro’s goal-scoring instincts stayed sharp right until the end. The Bundesliga legend proved his class with a late-career strike, cementing his status as one of the most consistent forwards of his generation.
4. Teddy Sheringham – 40 Years 8 Months (2006)
Teddy Sheringham’s football brain allowed him to keep scoring when others relied on pace. His goal at nearly 41 years old highlighted his exceptional positioning and intelligence on the pitch.
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3. Alessandro Costacurta – 41 Years 0 Months (2007)
Alessandro Costacurta was best known for his defensive heroics, but his 2007 goal was a special moment. It symbolised the end of an era for Milan and showcased his professionalism and love for the game.
2. Benjamin Nivet – 41 Years 3 Months (2018)
Benjamin Nivet was a true servant of French football, and his late-career goal was a fairytale moment. At 41, he was still orchestrating play and inspiring younger teammates.
1. Zlatan Ibrahimović – 41 Years 5 Months (2023)
Zlatan Ibrahimović takes the crown as the oldest scorer in the top five leagues since 2000. Known for his incredible longevity and elite mentality, Zlatan’s final goals were a fitting farewell to a remarkable career.
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