Pepe is the oldest player preparing for the Euro. The 41-year-old FC Porto defender could even become the oldest Euro participant of all time.
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The Scottish goalkeeper Craig Gordon is about two months older than Pepe, but the veteran was among the players cut from The Tartan Army on Friday.
Gordon did appear on the field Friday evening in the friendly match against Finland (2-2), making him Scotland's oldest international player of all time.
In contrast, Pepe has a chance at a starting spot with Portugal. The 41-year-old defender from FC Porto could soon become the oldest Euro participant of all time. Currently, that title belongs to the Hungarian Gábor Király, who was 40 years and 86 days old when he played against Belgium eight years ago. If Pepe secures his place in the Portuguese squad and takes the field, he will surpass this record, adding another milestone to his illustrious career.
Silver in the 'Euro 2024 veterans' ranking goes to Pepe's compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo, who is 39 years old. Like Luka Modric and Jesús Navas, the all-time top scorer at the Euro was born in 1985, but Ronaldo was born in February of that year. This gives him a slight edge in age over Modric and Navas, who were also born in the same year. Ronaldo, still a crucial player for both club and country, continues to defy age with his performances on the pitch.
The oldest player in the Dutch squad is Daley Blind, born on March 9, 1990. Blind, with his vast experience and leadership qualities, remains a vital part of the Netherlands' national team setup. His presence brings a blend of experience and stability to the squad as they aim for success in Euro 2024.
Here is a list of notable veteran players participating in Euro 2024, along with their birthdates:
- Pepe, Portugal, 26-02-1983
- Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal, 05-02-1985
- Luka Modric, Croatia, 09-09-1985
- Jesús Navas, Spain, 21-11-1985
- Giorgi Loria, Georgia, 27-01-1986
- Manuel Neuer, Germany, 27-03-1986
- Olivier Giroud, France, 30-09-1986
- Kasper Schmeichel, Denmark, 05-11-1986
- Peter Pekarík, Slovakia, 30-10-1986
These players, despite their age, continue to play at the highest level and are key figures for their respective national teams heading into Euro 2024.
