Earlier last week, 45-year-old Egyptian goal keeper Essam El-Hadary was named in Egypt’s provisional 35-man squad for the world cup.
The Pharaoh’s captain who led them to the African Cup of Nations final will be confident of adding at least another cap to his 156 appearances to create history as the oldest player to play a World Cup match.
A number of players have made appearances in the later stages of their careers and that didn’t stop them from being outstanding for their teams. Below we look at the three oldest veterans that have played in the FIFA World Cup.
- Pat Jennings (Nothern Ireland) – 41 years
The former Arsenal, Tottenham and Northern Ireland goalkeeper, Pat Jennings is the third oldest player to play in a World Cup fixture.
Jennings played his 119th and final fixture in the 1986 World Cup, a game in which the side lost 3-1 to eventual finalists Brazil.
He was a strong, tall figure between the sticks and is up-to today Northern Ireland’s most capped player.
- Roger Milla (Cameroon) -42 years, 1 month, 8 days.
The former Cameroon and Monaco striker is the only outfield in the top five players to feature on this list.
38-year-old Roger Milla was living in semi-retirement when he received a phone call asking him to join the team flying to Italy in 1990. He scored four goals as Cameroon progressed to the last eight and gave the world an iconic cerebration as he gyrated his hips at the corner flag.
He was an aggressive, but tricky forward with a knack for producing memorable cerebrations, like his corner flag trademark “old man”.
He played his final game at the 1994 USA World Cup, aged 42 years, 1 month and 8 days. He was introduced at half time in Cameroon’s final group game, and scored a consolation goal in the side’s 6-1 loss to Russia. With the goal, he became the oldest player to score in a FIFA world cup match after breaking his previous record.
- Faryd Mondragon (Colombia) -43 years, 3 days.
The Colombian goal keeper became the oldest player to play in a FIFA World Cup in 2014 after playing in Colombia’s 4-1 win over Japan.
The Colombia legend began his career in the 1900’s and spent most of his time in Turkey with Galatasaray. He was rarely first choice and retired with only 51 appearance for his country.
He retired after Colombia’s quarter final defeat to Brazil four years ago, after coming on as an 85th minute substitute for Arsenal’s David Ospina.
