Last night, in a dramatic Champions League encounter, Cyprus club Pafos played out a 2–2 draw with Monaco. The match saw Brazilian defender David Luiz, aged 38, score the opening goal in the 18th minute, etching his name in the history books.
This goal elevated Luiz to second place among the oldest scorers in Champions League history, surpassing the legendary Italian Francesco Totti, who scored at 38 years and 59 days for Roma against CSKA Moscow in 2014. Luiz, at 38 years and 218 days, narrowly eclipsed Totti’s record.
Currently, the record for the oldest Champions League goal is held by Portuguese defender Pepe, who scored against Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023 at 40 years and 290 days. Despite not holding the record, Luiz’s goal is remarkable as it marks his first Champions League goal in eight years. His last goal was in 2017, playing for Chelsea against Roma.
Oldest Champions League Scorers (Table)
| Player | Club | Age | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Luiz | Pafos | 38 years, 218 days | Monaco | 2025 |
| Francesco Totti | Roma | 38 years, 59 days | CSKA Moscow | 2014 |
| Pepe | Real Madrid | 40 years, 290 days | Shakhtar Donetsk | 2023 |
According to Opta, Luiz’s strike is also the first Champions League goal by a player born in the 1980s, against Monaco goalkeeper Lucas Hradecky, also born in the same decade.
Luiz commented after the match:
“Scoring at this age in the Champions League is truly extraordinary. Age is just a number. When a player is physically and mentally prepared, anything is possible.”
Fans flooded social media to congratulate Luiz. His goal demonstrates that experience and strategic thinking remain invaluable in modern football, inspiring younger players across Europe.