Fans of football witnessed a momentous occasion in the Champions League as seasoned Portuguese defender Pepe made waves with his incredible feat. With his late header against Royal Antwerp in FC Porto’s Group H match, Pepe became the oldest goal scorer in the tournament’s storied history.
In the 91st minute, Pepe, who is 40 years and 254 days old, scored his team’s second goal, making history as the first player beyond 40 to score in European football.
At 38 years and 59 days, Francesco Totti was the previous record holder for the oldest goalscorer.
Pepe broke the record when he began against Royal Antwerp on October 25, making him the oldest player in Champions League history (a goalkeeper excepted).
The oldest player in the tournament’s history is goalie Marco Ballotta. When he played for Lazio against Real Madrid in December 2007, he was forty-three years and twenty-five days old.
In addition to Pepe and Totti, Ryan Giggs of Manchester United, who is 37 years old, is the player recorded as the oldest goalscorer in Champions League history.