The Indian Super League (ISL) has been the platform for many classic goalscorers in the competition's history, belonging to different nationalities around the globe. Since the league's creation in 2014, hardly there has been in any season that has not crowned an elite scorer. The most tantalizing aspect of some of those scorers in the tournament was that they have able to found the net even at the ripe age of 40 in football terms. These veterans often came in the form of the marquee signing and established European stars in the inaugural edition of the ISL but there was one Indian football icon that defined his legacy with the longevity that only few can ever manage. In this piece, we look at some of those goalscorers who became the oldest ever to score in the competition's history.
David Trezeguet (37 years)
Juventus hero and the scorer of the iconic Golden Goal against Italy to give France the Euro 2000 title, David Trezeguet is among the oldest goalscorers in the ISL when he donned the now defunct FC Pune City jersey in the league's inaugural edition in 2014. Although he just scored twice for the side, the Frenchman created some memorable moments including fetching the record against Kerala Blasters in October that year. He scored a scrumptious volley to open the scoring at the age of 37 years and 15 days which also became his final goal in the competition. Even though he was not at his absolute best with the clock running down on his career and FC Pune City failing to move into the playoffs, his moments stayed. Despite that, Trezeguet only made it to the top five of the oldest goalscorer list as other legendary figures of world football made their presence in the league.
Mikael Silvestre (37 years)
Capable of playing anywhere in the defence, Mikael Silvestre became one of the prominent figures of the Manchester United side that won five Premier League and the 2008 UEFA Champions League. The versatile defender came to India to play his final years of his career with ISL outfit Chennaiyin FC and he put his name in the veteran list of goalscorers in the league history with a crucial goal in a big stage. The Marina Machans were trailing 3-0 from the first leg against Kerala Blasters in the ISL's inaugural season and needed an inspiration to come back at home, which was provided by Silvestre. Timing his run to perfection from a Marco Materazzi free-kick, the player brought from Portland Timbers connected it with a power header to find the net at the age of 37 years, 4 months, and 7 days. That eventually helped the side draw level on aggregate but they lost eventually. Nevertheless, his goal will remain long in the memories of Chennaiyin FC fans.
Alessandro Del Piero (40 years)
Another megastar that graced Indian football pitches was Alessandro Del Piero and his only goal for the Delhi Dynamos put him in the record books straight away. He is the all-time top goalscorer in Bianconeri history and a living legend in Italian football so his arrival in ISL like most other marquee signings brought a crazy sense of excitement. Not only by his name, Del Piero made a lasting impact with a piece of genius that also remained one of the finest free-kick goals scored in the tournament history. Trailing 2–0 in their final league match of the first ever ISL season against Chennaiyin FC, Delhi Dynamos earned a free-kick on the left edge of the penalty area in the 53rd minute. Stepped up 'Pinturicchio' who struck with his trademark style a precise curling shot in the top left mark for one of his vintage free-kick goals. That masterpiece to score his first and only goal on the ISL stage at the age of 40 years and 31 days allowed Delhi to comeback in the game to draw 2-2.
Robert Pires (41 years)
Arsenal and Premier League legend, French football icon Robert Pires also made his presence felt in ISL with FC Goa. He became the first marquee signing in the Guard history and became a beloved character for the fans. Like most other superstars who came to ISL to wind down their careers, Pires secured just once in the league but that became a treasured moment. On 13 November 2014, FC Goa put up a storm in demolishing Delhi Dynamos 4-1 with the Frenchman joining the party. He scored from a penalty to mark his only goal in the tournament making him the oldest goalscorer in the competition at the age of 41 years and 15 days. A record that stood for over a decade until another gentleman that defined Indian football in modern age broke it. Nevertheless, Pires career at FC Goa was more than just scoring that spot-kick as he became a central leadership figure in the squad, proving to be a mentor for the young talents and shone in a new role by converting to a defensive midfielder from winger.
Sunil Chhetri
