Luka Modric becomes oldest goal-scorer in this World Cup

Croatia legend Luka Modrić entered the record books on Saturday (Sunday IST) by becoming the oldest player to provide an assist in a FIFA World Cup match.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball winner set up Nikola Vlašić’s goal in the 83rd minute of Croatia’s Group L clash against Ghana at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

Modrić, one of only four players to have made more than 200 international appearances, was 40 years and 291 days old on June 27, 2026. He broke the previous record held by Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Edin Džeko.

Džeko had become the oldest player to register an assist in a FIFA World Cup match earlier in the ongoing 2026 edition, when he set up a goal for Bosnia and Herzegovina during their Group B match against Qatar at Lumen Field in Seattle on June 24. He was 40 years and 109 days old at the time.

The record for being the oldest goal-scorer in FIFA World Cup history belongs to Roger Milla. The Cameroonian legend was 42 years and 39 days old when he scored against Russia in a group-stage match at the FIFA World Cup 1994.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo is in second place. He was 41 years and 138 days old when he scored a brace for Portugal in their match against Uzbekistan on June 23, 2026.