Pepe’s late goal in the match between Porto and Royal Antwerp helped the Portuguese defender become the first player to score in the Champions League at the age of 40.
The fourth group stage of this year’s Champions League was dramatic and exciting with many beautiful goals. In the match between Porto and Royal Antwerp, Portuguese defender Pepe scored in injury time to bring Porto an important victory and he became the first player to score in the Champions League at age 40.
The following is a list of the 5 oldest players to score a goal in Champions League history.
5. Javier Zanetti, 37 years and 72 days, in Inter match against Tottenham Hotspur, November 20, 2010
Javier Zanetti has had an illustrious career at Inter Milan, the full-back setting a club record with 858 appearances for the Italian team in all competitions in nearly two decades there after moving from Banfield, Argentina.
Zanetti won five national championships with Inter and the greatest season of his career came in 2009/2010, when the defender led the Nerazzurri to a treble of Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League under coach Jose Mourinho.
The following season, Zanetti scored his final goal in the Champions League at the age of 37 years and 72 days in a 4-3 victory over Tottenham.
4. Filippo Inzaghi, 37 years and 87 days, in the match AC Milan vs Real Madrid, November 3, 2010
The Italian is one of the greatest goalscorers of his generation, Filippo Inzaghi has scored 46 goals in 81 matches in the Champions League.
Inzaghi’s last goal in the colors of Europe’s top teams came in a 2-2 draw with Real Madrid in the group stage of the 2010/2011 season, the 37-year-old scored both goals for Milan at San Francisco. Syrup.
3. Ryan Giggs, 37 years and 290 days, in the Manchester United match against Benfica, September 14, 2011
Ryan Giggs made a record-breaking 963 appearances in all competitions during his one-club career with the Red Devils, where he became English football’s most decorated player. Giggs won 13 Premier League titles as Manchester United dominated the competition under Sir Alex Ferguson and won the Champions League twice.
The Welsh midfielder scored his last Champions League goal to help Man United draw 1-1 against Benfica in September 2011, at the age of 37 years and 290 days.
2. Francesco Totti, 38 years and 59 days, in Roma match against CSKA Moscow, November 25, 2014
Stadium Olimpico legend Francesco Totti has scored 17 goals in 57 Champions League appearances for Roma with his most recent goal coming against CSKA Moscow in November 2014.
Totti’s opening goal helped the striker become the oldest player to score in the Champions League at that time.
1. Pepe, 40 years and 254 days, in FC Porto match against Royal Antwerp, November 7, 2023
Pepe broke Totti’s record to become the first player over 40 years old to score in the Champions League. More importantly, the Portuguese defender’s goal helped Porto hold a great advantage in winning tickets to the 1/8 round of this year’s tournament. There is no exception to the possibility that Pepe will continue to improve his record in the upcoming matches.
