Top 10 Unveiled
At the age of 40, the midfield virtuoso Luka Modrić continues to defy expectations. This past weekend, he scored his first goal for AC Milan, showcasing his timeless skill and securing a spot in the history books. With his recent Serie A goal, Modrić now joins the ranks of the top 10 oldest goalscorers in Europe’s major leagues since 2000, a prestigious group of legends who have extended their careers far beyond the norm.
For a player whose style relies on intelligence, precision, and timing rather than sheer speed, age is merely a number. Modrić adds yet another remarkable milestone to his illustrious career, demonstrating that even in the latter stages of his playing journey, he can still impact matches at the highest level. Transfermarkt delves deeper into the oldest goalscorers of the 21st century and explores Modrić’s position among them. AC Milan certainly appreciates experience.
The Oldest Goalscorers in the Top Five Leagues This Century
Leading the list is none other than his AC Milan teammate, legendary striker Zlatan Ibrahimović, who scored in Serie A at the age of 41 years and five months. Modrić, under contract until July 2026 with an option to extend for another year, could potentially challenge Ibrahimović’s record. In second place is former French midfielder Benjamin Nivet, who scored for Troyes in Ligue 1 at 41 years and three months. Third is former AC Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta, who netted an Italian top-flight goal at 41 years old.
Teddy Sheringham holds the record as the all-time oldest scorer in the Premier League and ranks fourth in the top five leagues, having scored for West Ham at 40 years and eight months. Fifth place belongs to former Peruvian forward Claudio Pizarro, who scored for Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga at 40 years and seven months. Completing the top 10 are defender Dante (40 years and six months), Brazilian Donato (40 years and four months), Italian forward Fabio Quagliarella (40 years and three months), Spanish striker Jorge Molina (40 years), and, of course, Modrić (40 years). If the Croatian continues to find the back of the net in Serie A, he could very well break into the top five by the end of the season.
