Who is the oldest player to score in Champions League history?

Cameron Smith

Updated: 9 May 2024 09:25 BST
4 min read

Pepe is the oldest player to score in the history of the UEFA Champions League after finding the back of the net against Royal Antwerp during the 2023-24 group stages.

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The legendary Portuguese defender headed home a Francisco Conceicao cross in the 91st minute to secure a vital 2-0 win for Porto. Pepe was 40 years and 254 days old when he scored against Antwerp - making him the oldest player to ever score a goal in the Champions League.

Pepe is the only player over the age of 40 to score in the competition, with his goal versus Antwerp breaking Francesco Totti’s long-standing record.

The AS Roma icon previously held the record of being the oldest Champions League goalscorer - since its rebrand in 1992 - after he netted against CSKA Moscow at 38 years and 59 days old. Totti scored a powerful free-kick during a 1-1 draw back in November 2014.

Former Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs is the third oldest goalscorer in Champions League history after he netted a wonderful goal in a 1-1 draw with Benfica in September 2011. The ex-Wales international was 37 years and 290 days old at the time.

Sergio Ramos is in fourth place thanks to his goal against PSV Eindhoven during the 2023-24 group stages. The Spanish football legend was 37 years and 244 days old when he opened the scoring in the 24th minute.

Filippo Inzaghi is the fifth oldest Champions League goalscorer of all time. Back in 2010, the former AC Milan striker scored twice against Real Madrid at the age of 37 years and 87 days.

#OnThisDay in 2010 🆚 Real Madrid
Inzaghi dazzled San Siro with his 69th and 70th European goal 🤩

Tutti ai piedi di Super Pippo: gol numero 69 e 70 in Europa 🤩#SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/A52RQH38UZ
— AC Milan (@acmilan) November 3, 2020

In sixth place is Javier Zanetti. He scored during Inter Milan’s 4-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur in 2010 at 37 years and 71 days old.

Luka Modric, Edin Dzeko, Olivier Giroud and Laurent Blanc complete the top 10.

The 10 oldest goalscorers in Champions League history

Player	Opponent	Date	Age
1. Pepe (Porto)	Royal Antwerp	7 November 2023	40y 254d
2. Francesco Totti (Roma)	CSKA Moscow	25 November 2014	38y 59d
3. Ryan Giggs (Man Utd)	Benfica	14 September 2011	37y 290d
4. Sergio Ramos (Sevilla)	PSV	29 November 2023	37y 244d
5. Filippo Inzaghi (Milan)	Real Madrid	3 November 2010	37y 87d
6. Javier Zanetti (Inter)	Tottenham	20 October 2010	37y 71d
7. Luka Modric (Real Madrid)	Celtic	2 November 2022	37y 54d
8. Edin Dzeko (Inter)	Milan	10 May 2023	37y 54d
9. Olivier Giroud (Milan)	PSG	7 November 2023	37y 38d
10. Laurent Blanc (Man Utd)	Olympiacos	23 October 2002	36y 338d