Who is the oldest player to have appeared at the Euros?
- There are plenty of veterans that have represented their country on the big stage
- Only one player in their 40s has played in the finals of the competition
- Cristiano Ronaldo could set a new record at Euro 2024
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
Peter Shilton - 38 years & 271 days
The third oldest goalkeeper in European Championship history, Shilton made his last appearance in the competition during England's disastrous 1988 campaign.
The Three Lions lost all three group stage matches, with Shilton unable to prevent Marco van Basten from bagging a hat-trick as eventual champions Netherlands ran out 3-1 victors.
Maarten Stekelenburg - 38 years & 278 days
The Dutch stopper was a regular for the Netherlands over the course of almost two decades, despite never being the most glamorous option in between the sticks.
His final appearance for his country came at Euro 2020, with the goalkeeper suffering a 2-0 defeat to the Czech Republic in the last 16 of the competition.
Morten Olsen - 38 years & 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.
Lothar Matthaus - 39 years & 91 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.
Gabor Kiraly - 40 years & 86 days
Commonly known as 'Pyjama Man', Kiraly is the only 40-something player to feature at a Euros. The former Crystal 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.
Oldest goalscorers in European Championship history
Cristiano Ronaldo - 36 years & 138 days
Euro 2020's Golden Boot winner, international football's all-time leading goalscorer entered the top five of veterans with a strike against France.
The Portugal hero can top the list and break another record should he find the net at Euro 2024, which seems a distinct possibility.
Gareth McAuley - 36 years & 194 days
An unlikely goalscorer at the best of times, Gareth McAuley became the oldest defender to score in the Euros with his effort against Ukraine in 2016.
The result helped Northern Ireland to a 2-0 victory, but it couldn't help them escape their group as they made an early exit.
Zoltan Gera - 37 years & 61 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.
Goran Pandev - 37 years & 321 days
Pandev scored at Euro 2020 to become the second oldest goalscorer in the competition's history, representing surprise qualifiers North Macedonia.
The talismanic forward enjoyed a hugely successful career overall, winning the UEFA Champions League with Inter in 2010.
Ivica Vastic - 38 years & 257 days
Ivica Vastic came off the bench to make history at Euro 2008, converting 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.
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