Lionel Messi Becomes Oldest Outfield Player To Feature In FIFA World Cup Semifinal

Published 15 July 2026 · sports

Lionel Messi Becomes Oldest Outfield Player To Feature In FIFA World Cup Semifinal Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 01:43 IST The overall record

Lionel Messi Becomes Oldest Outfield Player To Feature In FIFA World Cup Semifinal Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 01:43 IST The overall record for the oldest player to feature in a FIFA World Cup semifinal remains with former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton. Lionel Messi becomes oldest outfield player to feature in FIFA World Cup semifinal. (Picture Credit: AP) Lionel Messi etched his name into the history books on Wednesday (July 15) by becoming the oldest outfield player ever to feature in a FIFA World Cup semifinal. The Argentina captain was named in the starting XI for La Albiceleste’s clash against England in the second semifinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Messi, who turned 39 on June 24, was 39 years and 21 days old during the match, making him the oldest outfield player to appear in a World Cup semifinal. The overall record for the oldest player to feature in a FIFA World Cup semifinal remains with former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton. Shilton was 40 years and 292 days old when he represented England against West Germany in the semifinal of the 1990 FIFA World Cup at the Stadio delle Alpi in Turin on July 4, 1990.

Lionel Messi is the oldest outfield player to feature in a World Cup semi-final.39 years and 21 days old. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/JyiRjpeHwP — Squawka (@Squawka) July 15, 2026 The overall record for the oldest player to appear in a FIFA World Cup match belongs to former Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary. El Hadary was 45 years and 161 days old when he represented Egypt in their Group A match against Saudi Arabia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Oldest players to feature in a FIFA World Cup match RANK PLAYER COUNTRY AGE EDITION 1 Essam El-Hadary Egypt 45 years, 161 days 2018 2 Faryd Mondragon Colombia 43 years, 3 days 2014 3 Roger Milla Cameroon 42 years, 39 days 1994 4 Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal 41 years, 151 days 2026 5 Pat Jennings Northern Ireland 41 years, 0 days 1986 6 Guillermo Ochoa Mexico 40 years, 346 days 2026 7 Luka Modric Croatia 40 years, 296 days 2026 8 Peter Shilton England 40 years, 292 days 1990 9 Dino Zoff Italy 40 years, 133 days 1982 10 Edin Džeko Bosnia and Herzegovina 40 years, 106 days 2026 The veteran goalkeeper achieved the feat on June 25, 2018, at the Volgograd Arena in Volgograd, becoming the oldest player ever to feature in a men’s FIFA World Cup match.

He surpassed the previous record held by Colombia goalkeeper Faryd Mondragón, who was 43 years and three days old during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Despite Egypt being eliminated from the tournament, El Hadary delivered a memorable performance against Saudi Arabia, even saving a penalty during the match, although Egypt eventually suffered a 2-1 defeat. The record remains unmatched and is unlikely to be broken anytime soon, with Lionel Messi, at 39 years of age, still more than six years younger than El Hadary was during his historic World Cup appearance. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered Will Messi break the record for oldest player in a World Cup match? Lionel Messi will not break the record for the oldest player in a World Cup match, as he is currently younger than the record holder. Messi became the oldest outfield player in a World Cup semifinal at 39 years and 21 days old. How do other football legends compare to Messi's age record? Lionel Messi became the oldest outfield player in a World Cup semifinal at 39 years and 21 days old. Other football legends have also played at advanced ages in World Cups.