Who is the oldest player to have appeared at the Euros?
By Dan Hepburn
The European Championship is the flagship international tournament in the continent where some of the best players compete to be named the best in the region.
The Euros has also been the scene for old-timers to make an impact with their countries towards the end of their careers.
Here are the oldest players to have made appearances at the European Championship.
Oldest players in European Championship history
Oldest players in European Championship history
Gabor Kiraly
- Age: 40 years and 86 days
Commonly known as 'Pyjama Man', Kiraly is the only 40-something player to feature at a Euros. The former Cyrstal Palace goalkeeper helped the unfancied Hungary into the last 16 at the 2016 tournament, where they lost 4-0 to Belgium.
His peculiar but solid trouser choices endeared him to football hipsters worldwide but it's the record for oldest Euro player that secures Kiraly's place in the history books.
Lothar Matthaus
- Age: 39 years and 92 days
Matthaus marked the history books in an unfortunate manner as his side lost 3-0 to Portugal back in 2000. The game was the Bayern and Germany legend's 150th and final cap for his nation, having enjoyed a long and storied international career.
He captained West Germany in their 1990 World Cup triumph and was subsequently awarded the Ballon d'Or and named the first FIFA World Player of the Year. Euro 2000 was a disastrous one for him and Germany, however, as they exited at the group stage in fourth behind Portugal, Romania and England.
Morten Olsen
- Age: 38 years and 308 days
Danish football owes Olsen a great debt for his wonderful service as both a player and a manager. He coached the De Rod-Hvide for 15 years after his retirement as a player, which ended shortly after his final tournament appearance at Euro 1988.
An impressive 1986 World Cop meant hopes were high that year, but the Danes bowed out early with defeats to Spain, West Germany and Italy.§
Top five oldest players in Euros history
- Gabor Kiraly (Hungary) - 40 years and 86 days - Euro 2016
- Lothar Matthaeus (Germany) - 39 years and 92 days - Euro 2000
- Morten Olsen (Denmark) - 38 years and 308 days - Euro 1988
- Maarten Stekelenburg (Netherlands) - 38 years and 279 days - Euro 2020
- Peter Shilton (England) - 38 years and 271 days - Euro 1988
Oldest players in European Championship qualification history
Lee Casciaro
- Age: 41 years and 176 days
A one club man breaking an international record is what dreams are made of. Lincoln Red Imps legend Casciaro came on as a substitute for Gibraltar in a 3-0 defeat Greece in March 2023 to make history as the oldest player in Euros qualifiers ever.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- Age: 41 years and 172 days
On the same night Casciaro made his record-breaking appearance, Zlatan Ibrahimovic became the second-oldest player to feature in a Euro qualifier. Similarly to Casciaro, the 41-year-old was introduced to proceedings as a substitute.
The big Swede has had a glittering career at club level and is still targeting one last hurrah at an international tournament.
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Dino Zoff
- Age: 41 years and 90 days
Casciaro overtook the record previously set by legendary goalkeeper Dino Zoff, who was 41 years and 90 days old when he made his then-record setting appearance for Italy.
The record set by the beloved Italian had stood for 40 years, with the record-setting outing coming in a game in 1983.
Top five oldest players in Euro qualifying history
- Lee Casciaro (Gibraltar) - 41 years and 176 days - 2023
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden) - 41 years and 172 days - 2023
- Dino Zoff (Italy) - 41 years and 90 days - 1983
- Mario Flick (Liechtenstein) - 41 years and 35 days - 2015
- Jakub Mikkelssen (Faroe Islands) - 40 years and 359 days - 2011
Oldest goalscorers in European Championship history
Ivica Vastic
- Age: 38 years and 257 days
Another man who came of the bench to create history, Ivica Vastic converted his 14th and last international goal to become an esteemed record-breaker.
In his 50th appearance for Austria, he scored his side's first ever goal at the Euros and became the competition's oldest ever scorer with a last gasp-penalty against Poland in 2008.
Goran Pandev
- Age: 37 years and 322 days
Pandev scored in the most recent Euros to become the second oldest goalscorer in the competition's history.
North Macedonia's talismanic forward enjoyed a hugely successful career overall, winning the UEFA Champions League with Inter in 2010.
Zoltan Gera
- Age: 37 years and 62 days
In Euro 2016, Zoltan Gera was awarded with the Goal of the Tournament award thanks to a wonderful strike against eventual winners Portugal.
That effort made him the oldest goalscorer from open play in Euros history as Hungary topped a group including eventual winners Portugal and surprise package Iceland before being beaten by Belgium in the last 16.
Top five oldest goalscorers in Euros history
- Ivica Vastic (Austria) - 38 years and 257 days - Euro 2008
- Goran Pandev (North Macedonia) - 37 years and 322 days - Euro 2020
- Zoltan Gera (Hungary) - 38 years and 62 days - Euro 2016
- Gareth McAuley (Northern Ireland) - 36 years and 194 days - Euro 2016
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - 36 years and 138 days - Euro 2020