Oldest scorers in World Cup history as Cristiano Ronaldo targets Qatar and beyond
Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to insert himself into a very exclusive club that will hopefully help the football world forget about his Manchester United disaster.
The former Red Devil will now need to shift focus firmly on Portugal’s first World Cup match against Ghana, after his contract with United was torn up in the wake of his explosive interview. Ronaldo’s side will need to be firmly on their game to ensure they do not join Argentina and Germany as one of the sides to be stunned in the opening match of their tournaments.
Ronaldo is already one of four players including Pele, Uwe Seeler, and Miroslav Klose, who have scored at four World Cups. However, he will also be looking to become one of the oldest goalscorers in the competition’s history – Daily Star Sport looks at seven golden oldies he could soon be a part off.
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Roger Milla – 42 years, 39 days
(Image: Bongarts/Getty Images)
The Cameroonian superstar is one of the most iconic players in the tournament’s history. Milla will always be remembered for proving age is just a number, as well as the fact he is the oldest player to score in the contest.
Barely a month after his 42nd birthday. Milla netted a late consolation for Cameroon in what was a disheartening 6-1 defeat to Russia in the 1990 World Cup. Considering the fact he is also the oldest outfield player to compete in the competition, we may never see anybody break his record as the oldest goalscorer ever.
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Gunnar Gren – 37 years, 236 days
If you’re only going to score one World Cup goal, ensure it is one that sends your country to the final. That’s exactly what Sweden legend Gunnar Gren did when he netted against Germany in the 1958 semi-final.
His effort gave the Scandinavians a 2-1 lead against the Germans, which paved the way for his teammate Kurt Hamrin to secure the victory.
Cuauhtemoc Blanco – 37 years, 151 days
Legend says, Mexico icon Cuauhtemoc Blanco aged two years on his run-up alone when he netted a fantastic spot kick in the 2010 World Cup against France. The playmaker took a 20 yard run up before slotting a clinical spotkick against a beleaguered French side who did not even get out the group.
His unforgettable finish from 12 yards was his third and final goal in the World Cup, having also found the net in the 1998 and 2002 competitions.
Felipe Baloy – 37 years, 120 days
Twenty-one minutes of World Cup football was all Felipe Baloy needed to make World Cup history. At the time, Panama were trailing England 6-0 in what was only their second match in the tournament’s history.
However, his excellent finish against the Three Lions not only made him the competition’s fourth oldest goalscorer in history, but it was also Panama’s first ever goal in the World Cup. While his side were still trounced by England, his effort triggered huge celebrations in his country and the travelling Panama fans.
Obdulio Varela – 36 years – 279 days
Obdulio Varela is not the most recognisable name in this country, but in South America, he has been enshrined in football history. Varela captained Uruguay’s legendary side who won the 1950 World Cup in Brazil.
In the same way England fans adore Bobby Moore, Uruguay fans still hail the iconic central midfielder who led them to such success. Ironically, his final goal at the ripe old age of 36-years-old came in a 4-2 victory over England in the 1954 competition – sadly, this goal is better remembered for the way in which he somehow injured himself while celebrating.
Martin Palermo – 36-years, 227 days
In the 2010 World Cup, Argentina boasted a frontline including Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain, and Angel Di Maria. However, 36-year-old wise head Martin Palermo managed to outscore Messi, Aguero, and Di Maria in South Africa.
The Boca Juniors icon came off the bench to double the South American’s lead against Greece in their final group match. Unfortunately, he was not able to influence proceedings when Germany demolished Argentina 4-0 in the quarter-finals.
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