Ranking the 10 Oldest Goalscorers in Champions League History

The Champions League is widely regarded as the ultimate prize in club football, showcasing the top teams from Europe who compete for glory each year. It is a platform where the game's finest players go head-to-head, leaving a lasting impact with their performances.

Cristiano Ronaldo, with 140 goals, holds the record as the greatest goalscorer in Champions League history, having triumphed five times with Manchester United and Real Madrid. Lionel Messi follows closely behind with 129 goals and played a pivotal role in Barcelona's two titles between 2009 and 2011.

Throughout the years, numerous renowned players have left their mark on the competition, thanks to their longevity and ability to compete at the highest level across multiple decades. Ronaldo, having made 183 appearances in the Champions League over 19 years from 2003 to 2022, holds the record for the most appearances. However, despite scoring his final Champions League goal for Manchester United against Villarreal in November 2021, Ronaldo, at the age of 36, narrowly misses out on the list of the ten oldest goalscorers in the history of the Champions League.

10. Laurent Blanc

36 years, 11 months and 4 days old

When Laurent Blanc joined Manchester United in August 2001, he was already an experienced veteran in the world of football. At 35 years old, he was hastily brought in as a replacement for Jaap Stam, who had recently departed for Lazio. Initially, Blanc faced criticism from United fans who were unhappy with the decision to sell Stam.

However, Blanc quickly proved his worth during his two seasons at the club. He became a reliable presence in the defense, making 75 appearances across all competitions. Additionally, he made valuable contributions in the form of several crucial goals, including a powerful header in a 3-2 victory over Olympiakos in October 2002. Ultimately, Blanc decided to retire from professional football at the end of that season.

9. Olivier Giroud

37 years, 1 month and 8 days old

Olivier Giroud, often underrated as a prolific goalscorer, has enjoyed a remarkable career. As of 2023, he holds the record for the most goals scored by a French player, with 56 goals in 128 appearances for the national team. Additionally, he has found the back of the net 24 times in the Champions League over the course of 11 years.

In November 2023, Giroud showcased his scoring prowess once again, netting a crucial header in AC Milan's 2-1 victory over PSG. The goal proved to be the match-winner for his new team. After successful spells with Arsenal and Chelsea in London, Giroud made the move to AC Milan in the later stages of his career. Despite being in his late thirties, he has continued to demonstrate his scoring ability and has been a valuable asset for the Italian giants.

8. Edin Dzeko

37 years, 1 month and 23 days old

Edin Dzeko is widely recognized as a prolific goalscorer in European football. He achieved great success at Wolfsburg, Manchester City, and Roma before joining Inter Milan at the age of 35 in 2021. The Bosnian striker made an immediate impact for the Italian giants, finding the back of the net 17 times in 49 appearances during his first season at the club.

In his second campaign, Dzeko played a crucial role in Inter Milan's unexpected challenge for the Champions League title under manager Simone Inzaghi. The team faced their fierce rivals AC Milan in the semi-finals, and in the first leg, Dzeko provided a dream start by volleying home from a corner after just seven minutes. Inter Milan ultimately emerged victorious in the tie with a 3-0 aggregate score.

Despite Dzeko's efforts, Inter Milan were defeated 1-0 in the final by his former club, Manchester City. Nevertheless, the 37-year-old forward played a significant role throughout the tournament and showcased his goal-scoring prowess on the big stage.

7. Luka Modric

37 years, 1 month and 24 days old

Luka Modric is undeniably one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, having made a significant impact for both Real Madrid and the Croatian national team. In 2018, his exceptional performances earned him the prestigious Ballon d'Or, breaking the 11-year reign of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Modric's longevity in the game is another remarkable aspect of his career that will secure his place in football history.

Having made his professional debut in 2003, Modric remained a key figure in the Real Madrid squad even at the age of 38, two decades later. His influence on the pitch and his ability to consistently perform at a high level are testaments to his enduring quality. Moreover, Modric holds an impressive record in the Champions League, having won the trophy five times throughout his career. In November 2022, he also became one of the oldest-ever goalscorers in the competition, converting a penalty during Real Madrid's dominant 5-1 victory over Celtic.

6. Javier Zanetti

37 years, 2 months and 10 days old

Javier Zanetti is widely recognized for his remarkable longevity in professional football. He dedicated an impressive nineteen years of his career to Inter Milan, spanning from 1995 to 2014. During his time at the club, he made a staggering 858 appearances before ultimately retiring at the age of 40. Despite being a consistent starter throughout his tenure in Italy, Zanetti's primary roles as a right-back or defensive midfielder limited his goal-scoring contributions, with a tally of only 21 goals for Inter Milan.

In the Champions League, Zanetti found the back of the net on only two occasions. His second goal in the competition occurred in October 2010, when he finished off a flowing Inter Milan move to give them the lead against Tottenham. Regrettably for the Argentinian, his first goal in almost three years was overshadowed by an outstanding hat-trick from Gareth Bale. The Welshman, who tormented Zanetti throughout the match, announced himself on the global stage with his scintillating performance.

5. Filippo Inzaghi

37 years, 2 months and 25 days old

Filippo Inzaghi is indeed a legendary figure in the history of the Champions League. The Italian striker is ranked as the 11th-highest goalscorer in the competition's history, having netted 46 goals. One of his most memorable performances came in the 2007 final, where he scored both goals to help AC Milan secure victory over Liverpool. This triumph served as redemption for Milan, who had famously lost to Liverpool in the final two years prior after squandering a three-goal lead.

Inzaghi was 34 years old at the time of the 2007 final, but he continued to be a prolific goalscorer for Milan over the next five seasons. He consistently found the net, especially in the Champions League, where he continued to shine. In November 2010, at the age of 37, Inzaghi made his final notable contribution to the competition. He scored a quick-fire brace in a match against Real Madrid, turning the tie in Milan's favor. However, despite his efforts, Real Madrid managed to equalize late in the game through Leon, denying Inzaghi and his team the victory.

4. Sergio Ramos

37 years, 8 months and 12 days old

Sergio Ramos is undoubtedly one of the most illustrious figures in the history of the Champions League. Throughout his career, he has achieved remarkable success, particularly during his time with Real Madrid. Ramos secured four Champions League titles with the club, three of which he captained. In total, he made over 140 appearances in the competition, an impressive feat for a defender, and contributed 16 goals.

After spending 16 years at Real Madrid, Ramos departed the club in 2021 and joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for a two-year spell. However, in the summer of 2023, he returned to his former team, Sevilla, where he began his professional career. In December 2023, Sevilla faced a crucial final group game against Lens, needing a victory to advance. Ramos calmly converted a penalty to equalize for his team. Unfortunately, Lens managed to secure a late winner, resulting in Sevilla's elimination from the competition. Despite the defeat, Ramos' goal stands as the only one on this list that was scored in a losing effort.

3. Ryan Giggs

37 years, 9 months and 16 days old

Ryan Giggs is indeed a legendary figure in the history of Manchester United and a true symbol of longevity and success. Spending an incredible 24 years at Old Trafford, Giggs amassed an impressive collection of silverware. He won 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, four League Cups, and two Champions League trophies during his tenure at the club. In total, he played an astonishing 963 matches for Manchester United.

Giggs held a remarkable record for a significant period, as he was the only player to score in every Premier League season from 1992 to 2014. This consistency and goal-scoring ability showcased his impact and longevity in the league. In the Champions League, Giggs also made a significant impact and is currently ranked as the seventh-highest appearance maker in the competition's history.

In September 2011, less than three months before his 38th birthday, Giggs scored his final goal in the Champions League. It came in the form of a powerful strike to equalize the score against Benfica. This goal demonstrated Giggs' enduring quality and ability to make a difference on the big stage, even in the latter stages of his career.

2. Francesco Totti

38 years, 1 month and 29 days old

Francesco Totti is undeniably one of the greatest one-club men in football history. The Italian legend dedicated his entire professional career to AS Roma, joining the club's youth ranks in 1989 and retiring in 2017. During this remarkable spell, Totti made a staggering 786 appearances for Roma and scored an impressive 307 goals. He remained with the club until the age of 40, demonstrating his loyalty and deep connection to his boyhood team.

Despite the opportunity to play for other top clubs, Totti chose to stay at Roma throughout his career, becoming an iconic figure and symbol of the club. In the Champions League, Totti made 56 appearances and scored 12 goals. Given his immense talent and the interest he garnered from Europe's elite clubs, it is conceivable that he could have achieved even greater numbers in the competition had he chosen to leave Roma.

Totti's final goal in the Champions League came at the age of 38, with a sensational free-kick that gave Roma the lead in a group stage match against CSKA Moscow in November 2014. This goal showcased his exceptional technical ability and served as a testament to his enduring quality as a player.

Verso #CSKARoma 

In casa del CSKA nel 2014, @Totti migliorò il proprio record di marcatore più longevo della @ChampionsLeague... #ASRoma pic.twitter.com/HGKGLcLBAK

— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) November 6, 2018

1. Pepe

40 years, 9 months and 17 days old

Pepe's achievement of becoming the first player in his forties to score a goal in the Champions League is a testament to his longevity and skill as a defender. After enjoying a successful ten-year stint with Real Madrid, where he won the competition three times, Pepe had subsequent spells with Besiktas and Porto. He returned to Porto for a second stint at the age of 35 and immediately established himself as a regular starter for the team.

Heading into the 2023/24 season, Pepe, now 40 years old, continued to feature prominently in Porto's starting lineup. In the group stage of the Champions League, he had already scored in a 2-0 victory over Royal Antwerp. In December 2023, Pepe extended his own record by scoring again. He capitalized on Stephen Eustaquio's corner and managed to prod the ball into the net, securing Porto's fourth goal in a thrilling 5-3 win over Shakhtar Donetsk. This crucial victory ensured Porto's progression to the round of 16. Pepe's goal showcased his enduring quality and his ability to contribute to his team's success, even at an advanced age.