We identify the oldest goalscorers in European Championship history, including a record broken at Euro 2024 this summer.
European Championship Oldest Scorers: Top 10
- Luka Modric (Croatia vs Italy on 24 June 2024) – 38 years, 289 days old.
- Ivica Vastic (Austria vs Poland on 12 June 2008) – 38 years, 257 days old.
- Goran Pandev (North Macedonia vs Austria on 13 June 2021) – 37 years, 321 days old.
- Zoltán Gera (Hungary vs Portugal on 22 June 2016) – 37 years, 61 days old.
- Gareth McAuley (Northern Ireland vs Ukraine on 16 June 2016) – 36 years, 194 days old.
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal vs France on 23 June 2021) – 36 years, 138 days old.
- Luka Modric (Croatia vs Scotland on 22 June 2021) – 35 years, 286 days old.
- Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine vs Sweden on 11 June 2012) – 35 years, 256 days old.
- Giorgos Karagounis (Greece vs Russia on 16 June 2012) – 35 years, 102 days old.
- Jan Koller (Czech Republic vs Turkey on 15 June 2008) – 35 years, 77 days old.
- Christian Panucci (Italy vs Romania on 13 June 2008) – 35 years, 62 days old.
Luka Modric – 38 years, 289 days old
Croatia vs Italy, 24 June 2024
Luka Modric broke the record for the oldest player to score at the Euros with his opener against Italy on 24 June 2024.
His goal came just 33 seconds after he’d seen a penalty saved by Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in Leipzig.
It was to turn out to be an unhappy occasion for Modric, however, with a last-gasp Italian equaliser sending Croatia home. At least he’s got this record to show for his efforts at Euro 2024.
Ivica Vastic – 38 years, 257 days old
Austria vs Poland, 12 June 2008
Ivica Vastic became the oldest player to score at a European Championship, with the Austrian forward aged 38 years and 257 days old when scoring at Euro 2008 versus Poland. That record was taken by Modric, 16 years later.
Vastic’s 93rd-minute penalty proved to be one of few positives for co-hosts Austria at the tournament, as it was their only goal and secured their solitary point of the finals before a disappointing group stage exit.
His substitute appearance in this match proved to be his 50th and final cap for Austria, as he scored with his final shot for his national team and broke a European Championship record in the process.
Goran Pandev – 37 years, 321 days old
North Macedonia vs Austria, 13 June 2021
Goran Pandev scored North Macedonia’s first ever goal at a UEFA European Championship tournament thanks to his 28th-minute strike versus Austria in their opening game of Euro 2020.
The veteran forward became the second-oldest player to score at a Euros aged 37 years and 321 days old, but his goal was in vain as the Austrians eventually prevailed 3-1 in Bucharest.
Things didn’t improve for North Macedonia as they exited the tournament in the group stage with zero points.
Zoltán Gera – 37 years, 61 days old
Hungary vs Portugal, 22 June 2016
Zoltán Gera scored the opening goal in one of the most entertaining matches at Euro 2016, with Hungary and Portugal sharing the points in a 3-3 group-stage draw in Lyon.
The draw helped Hungary top Group F, while Portugal qualified as one of the best third-place teams before going on to seal a famous tournament win in the final against hosts France.
Gera’s 19th-minute strike in this game meant he became the second-oldest player to score at a European Championship at the time, but he was knocked down a place five years later following Pandev’s strike for North Macedonia at the delayed Euro 2020.
The former Fulham and West Brom midfielder scored 26 times for Hungary over his career, but this would be his only strike scored in a major international tournament.
Gareth McAuley– 36 years, 194 days old
Northern Ireland vs Ukraine, 16 June 2016
This was Northern Ireland’s first ever goal at a European Championship, with Euro 2016 their first appearance. Having lost their Group C opener 1-0 to Poland, they bounced back on Matchday 2 against Ukraine.
Gareth McAuley headed in Oliver Norwood’s free-kick early in the second half in Lyon on route to an eventual 2-0 victory.
It was an impressive feat for the 36-year-old, who was the first Northern Ireland player to score at a major tournament since Colin Clarke at the 1986 World Cup (vs Spain). The defender scored nine times in 80 caps for his country overall.
Northern Ireland made it to the last 16 of Euro 2016 before losing 1-0 to Wales.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 36 years, 138 days old
Portugal vs France, 23 June 2021
Cristiano Ronaldo ended Euro 2020 as joint-top goalscorer alongside Czech striker Patrik Schick, with five goals each. Goals four and five of the tournament came in Portugal’s 2-2 draw with France in the group stage, making him the fifth oldest scorer at a European Championship (36 years, 138 days old).
Ronaldo, the all-time European Championship top scorer, is also the fifth-youngest goalscorer at a UEFA Euro finals ahead of the 2024 edition.
The Portuguese legend could go on to break the record as the oldest scorer at a European Championship should he play and net at Euro 2024.
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