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Top 10 revealed
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Even at 40 years of age, midfield maestro Luka Modrić continues to rewrite the script. The Croatian marked his first goal for AC Milan in trademark style this weekend, a moment that not only underlined his enduring class, but also etched his name into the history books. With that Serie A strike, Modrić entered the top 10 oldest goalscorers in Europe’s top five leagues since 2000 - joining a select group of legends who have stretched their careers far beyond the usual limits.
For a player whose game has always been built on intelligence, precision, and timing rather than raw pace, age seems little more than a number. Now, Modrić adds another milestone to a glittering career, showing that even in the twilight of his playing days, he remains capable of shaping matches at the highest level. Transfermarkt takes a closer look at the oldest goalscorers of the 21st century and where the Milan playmaker ranks among them. AC Milan love a golden oldie.
The oldest goalscorers in the top-five leagues this century
Leading the way is another I Rossoneri player in legendary striker Zlatan Ibrahimović. The big Swede scored for AC Milan in Serie A when he was 41 years and five months old. Modrić currently has a contract until July 2026, but with an option to extend for a year, so he could even have Ibrahimović's record in his sights. In second place is former French attacking midfielder Benjamin Nivet, who scored in Ligue 1 for Troyes aged 41 years and three months. Third is former AC Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta, who notched in the Italian top-flight aged 41 years.
Teddy Sheringham is the all-time oldest Premier League scorer, and take fourth place in the top-five leagues, having scored for West Ham aged 40 years and eight months. In fifth is former Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro who scored in the Bundesliga for Werder Bremen when he was 40 years and seven months old. Also in 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 finally now Modrić (40 years). Should the Croatian continue to find the net in Serie A, he could feasibly be in the top five of this list by the end of the season.
