Pepe tops the list of veteran scorers in the Champions League

Defying his fearsome fighting reputation, Pepe revealed that his historic goal had a double meaning because of a special promise he made to his mother before the match.

Once again proving that age is just a number, player Porto, Pepeset another record in Champions League this week to become the oldest player to score a goal in the 68-year history of the European Cup.

baby He is already the oldest player to play in the tournament, a record he extended by playing the full 90 minutes in the win. 2-0 for Porto over Antwerp In the eighth group on Tuesday. However, the veteran Portuguese centre-back also contributed to his side’s second goal, scoring with a powerful header in stoppage time, cementing his place as the highest scorer in the history of the game. Champions League At the respectable age of 40 years, 8 months and 12 days.

babyDefying his fearsome fighting reputation, he revealed that his historic goal had a double meaning because of a special promise he made to his mother before the match. He said after the match, “Today is a special day for me. It is my mother’s birthday and I promised her that I would do everything in my power to score a goal.”

the coach Porto, Sergio ConceiçãoHe added: “He is probably, as I have said on several occasions, the most competitive player I have ever worked with, not just as a coach. He is an incredible competitor because he puts football and his family above everything and makes sacrifices in order to survive.” In this position at the age of 40 years.

When he scored against Antwerp, baby He broke a record previously held by a legend Roma Francesco Totti, for nearly a decade. Moreover, the goal of Capt Porto He also had the effect of removing his former teammate from the team real madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo, From the top 10.

Ronaldo He was close to the top of the list after scoring against Villarreal at the age of 36 years, 9 months and 18 days in November 2021, during his second period with the team. Manchester United. However, the goal of baby This caused his Portuguese international colleague to drop to 11th place in the overall standings.

This is what the top ten looks like next baby Jump to the top of the list:

10. Paolo Maldini, Milan vs. Liverpool 2005 (36 years, 10 months, 29 days)

Maldini Record on the biggest stage in the world Champions League When he scored for Milan in the 2005 final against Liverpool in Istanbul. The Rossoneri defender finished off a cross Andrea Pirlo He opened the scoring in less than a minute in an unforgettable duel. Milan led 3-0 at the end of the first half, but the comeback was exciting Liverpool The match ended 3-3 after 120 minutes, with the Reds eventually victorious on penalties.

📅 #OTD In 2005, Liverpool became European champions for the fifth time after that match in Istanbul 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

🤔 Have you seen better? #UCL Game?#On this day | #MotivationMonday | @LFC pic.twitter.com/iaWpFQc0Cz

– UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 25, 2020

9. Laurent Blanc, Olympiacos vs. Manchester United 2002 (36 years, 11 months, 4 days)

The first of the two central defenders featured here, the elegant French defender scored with a header for the team Manchester United Their 3-2 win in the group stage more than two decades ago still keeps them in the top ten.

8. Olivier Giroud, Milan vs. Paris Saint-Germain, 2023 (37 years, 1 month, 8 days)

Absolutely young Jiro He also earned a place in the top 10 of the Champions League’s top scorers last Tuesday, when the Milan striker rose into the air to head home his side’s winning goal against Inter Milan. Paris Saint-Germain.

Oliver Giroud wakes up! ⬆️

The 37-year-old is still doing it with Milan. 🔴 ⚫️ pic.twitter.com/TcICIDaurx

– CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 7, 2023

7. Edin Dzeko, Inter Milan vs. Milan, 2023 (37 years, 1 month, 23 days)

he Inter They led by two goals in the first 11 minutes when they faced off Italian club Milan In the first match of the semi-finals Champions League From last season. He scored the Nerazzurri’s first goal in the match Dzekowho finished the match from close range after eight minutes.

6. Luka Modric, Real Madrid vs. Celtic, 2022 (37 years, 1 month, 24 days)

superior Dzeko For just one day, the crucial goal Modric The 5-1 win came over real madrid Over Celtic in the group stage last season. The veteran midfielder scored a penalty just six minutes after time.

5. Javier Zanetti, Inter Milan vs. Tottenham Hotspur, 2010 (37 years, 2 months, 10 days)

⚫️🔵 Javier Zanetti at Inter:

UEFA Champions League 🏆
European Union Cup 🏆
Series A 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Club World Cup 🏆
Italian Cup 🏆🏆🏆🏆

happy birthday, @jafferzanity! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/NghRvoBKLt

– UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 10, 2022

Zanetti He sent a smart shot into the far top corner to open the scoring Tottenham At that time, he became the top scorer in the Champions League.

However, the youth are best remembered for this group stage match at San Siro Gareth Balewho scored a stunning hat-trick in the second half, but somehow ended up on the losing side.

Inter vs Tottenham ⏰🔃

when @Gareth Bale11 Hit #UCL ⚽️⚽️⚽️#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/lkavokN5oO

– UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 30, 2018

4. Filippo Inzaghi, Milan vs. Real Madrid, 2010 (37 years, 2 months, 25 days)

After two weeks, Inzaghi Transgression Zanetti By scoring the Rossoneri’s two goals in an exciting 2-2 draw against their fellow powers real madrid In the group stage of the 2010-11 season. Milan finished a distant second behind Los Blancos in Group C before being eliminated by Tottenham in the round of 16 thanks to a single goal from Peter Crouch in the two drawn matches.

3. Ryan Giggs, Benfica vs. Manchester United, 2011 (37 years, 9 months, 16 days)

After falling behind to an early goal from Oscar Cardozo, Giggs He became the highest scorer in the Champions League at the time by restoring a draw for his team Manchester United With an accurate shot from the edge of the area.

2. Francesco Totti (CSKA Moscow) vs. Roma 2014 (38 years, 1 month, 29 days)

before Baby, Totti He held the record of being the top scorer in the competition for nearly a decade. The Giallorossi legend opened the scoring in the first half of the 1-1 group stage draw against CSKA Moscow with a rare free-kick, only to see his side finally succumb to a 93rd-minute equalizer in the Russian capital.

👑 38 years and 59 days 👑

Francesco @Totti He remains the country’s top scorer #UCL History, after this 🚀 The last time we visited CSKA Moscow… ⭐️ #ASRome
pic.twitter.com/3zJys75cAb

– Roma English Club (@ASRomaEN) November 6, 2018

1. Pepe, Porto vs. Antwerp, 2023 (40 years, 8 months, 12 days)

baby He became the highest scorer in the history of the European Cup and European Cup Champions League Header in stoppage time against Antwerp.

Pepe scored his first Champions League goal (or goals) for Porto when he was 22 when he scored a somewhat unexpected brace in a 3-2 defeat to Rangers in September 2005.

Eighteen years and 28 titles later, he has left his mark in the record books.

Pepe becomes the biggest scorer in his history #UCL Date (40 years, 256 days). 🍷 pic.twitter.com/XTKlvm8Xrv

– CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 7, 2023