Oldest footballer in the world scores goal in debut match

A 74-year-old grandfather became the oldest footballer in the world to score a goal in an official match when he netted on his debut for an Egyptian third tier side on Saturday.

Ezzeldin Bahader is seeking recognition as the world’s oldest professional footballer, and he can meet the Guinness World Records criteria of playing two official full-length matches when his club take to the field on Match 21 in their next Group Five fixture.

The record is currently held by Israeli goalkeeper Isaak Hayik, who represented FC Ironi Or Yehuda in April 2019 at 73, although this achievement would be eclipsed by Bahader, who was born on Nov. 3, 1945.

The attacking midfielder, who first played football on the streets of Cairo as a six-year-old, scored a penalty for his team this weekend as he captained his new club to a 1-1 draw, having worked with a personal trainer to achieve match fitness.

In January, grandfather of six Bahader was registered as a professional player with the Egyptian Football Association, having spent his working career as a civil engineering consultant and then a land cultivation expert before retiring.

“I became the oldest professional footballer scoring a goal in an official game,” the veteran told BBC Sport following his debut.

“This is something that was achieved in the last minute of the game that I thought I wouldn’t achieve.

“I was injured and all what I hoped for was to continue for the full 90 minutes and play the next game.”