Roger Milla remains oldest World Cup scorer ahead of Ronaldo and Messi
Short overview
Cristiano Ronaldo became the second-oldest World Cup goalscorer at age 41, but Cameroon's Roger Milla still holds the record at 42. Lionel Messi, who turned 39, ranks fourth. The top 10 list includes several veterans, with no goalkeeper having ever scored in the tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo may have scored at a record sixth FIFA World Cup, but one piece of history still eludes both him and Lionel Messi. When Ronaldo broke the deadlock against Uzbekistan in Portugal's second group match, he became the second-oldest scorer in the tournament's history at 41 years and 138 days. However, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star still trails Cameroon legend Roger Milla on the all-time list.
Roger Milla's enduring record
Milla first featured at the 1982 finals in Spain but found global fame at age 38, scoring four goals as the Indomitable Lions reached the quarter-finals at Italia 90—the first African team to achieve that feat. His trademark corner-flag dance became iconic. Four years later, Milla was back on the scoresheet at USA 94, slotting in from eight yards against Russia. The corner-flag wiggle returned, but Cameroon lost 6-1 and exited at the group stage. Milla's record stands at 42 years and 39 days.
Ronaldo and Messi in the top 10
Ronaldo's goal against Uzbekistan moved him into second place, bumping Messi from third to fourth. Messi scored at 38 years and 363 days in Argentina's win over Austria. Portugal defender Pepe ranks third after scoring against Switzerland in 2022 at 39 years and 283 days.
Other veterans could climb the list. Bosnia-Herzegovina striker Edin Dzeko and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric, both 40, could overtake Messi if they score. Japan centre-back Yuto Nagatomo, nine months older than Messi, has yet to appear. Six goalkeepers are older than Messi, including Germany's Manuel Neuer, Cape Verde's Vozinha, and Uruguay's Fernando Muslera, but no goalkeeper has ever scored in 22 World Cup editions dating back to 1930.
Austria's Marko Arnautovic, 37, entered the top 10 at this tournament with a late penalty against Jordan.
Could the record fall?
Milla's record appears safe for now, unless Ronaldo or Messi consider playing on home soil when the 2030 World Cup hosts games in Portugal and Argentina. The top 10 oldest goalscorers in World Cup history:
- Roger Milla (Cameroon vs Russia, 28 June 1994) – 42 years, 39 days
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal vs Uzbekistan, 23 June 2026) – 41 years, 138 days
- Pepe (Portugal vs Switzerland, 6 December 2022) – 39 years, 283 days
- Lionel Messi (Argentina vs Austria, 22 June 2026) – 38 years, 363 days
- Gunnar Gren (Sweden vs Germany, 24 June 1958) – 37 years, 236 days
- Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Mexico vs France, 17 June 2010) – 37 years, 151 days
- Felipe Baloy (Panama vs England, 24 June 2018) – 37 years, 120 days
- Marko Arnautovic (Austria vs Jordan, 17 June 2026) – 37 years, 58 days
- Obdulio Varela (Uruguay vs England, 26 June 1954) – 36 years, 279 days
- Martin Palermo (Argentina vs Greece, 22 June 2010) – 36 years, 227 days
This article is from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.
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