Roger Milla’s status as a Cameroonian football legend was established long before he travelled to the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA™.
More than a decade previously, he fired his country to the global finals for the first time, top scoring with six goals in African qualifying to secure the Indomitable Lions’ place at Spain 1982.
Milla’s profile then skyrocketed at Italy 1990 when he came out of international retirement to play a pivotal role in Cameroon’s campaign. The 38-year-old netted four times during his team’s run to the quarter-finals, which remains their best-ever World Cup performance. In doing so, he also became the oldest scorer in the history of the tournament.
Remarkably, the age-defying Milla wasn’t done yet on the sport’s biggest stage. He was named in Cameroon’s squad for USA 1994, and proved he still had Midas touch in front of goal.
With Cameroon 3-0 down to Russia at half-time in their group-stage fixture, coach Henri Michel turned to his veteran No9, who had been named among the substitutes for the third straight game. Within one minute of his introduction, Milla shrugged off a defender’s challenge before sending a clinical finish beyond goalkeeper Stanislav Cherchesov. With that strike, the 42-year-old broke his own record as the World Cup’s oldest-ever scorer.
“To my mind, that goal and that record showed the people who doubted me that I still had it in me, despite my age,” Milla commented in an interview with FIFA. “Physically, I wasn’t 100 per cent, but I still had my technique.”
Russia went on to plunder another three answered goals against Cameroon, but Milla had set a record which stands to this day, and added to his legacy as true football icon
“Nothing’s impossible but it’ll be very difficult to beat,” added Milla. “I think my record has got a few good years left in it yet.”
Oldest World Cup goalscorers
1st) Roger Milla – 42 years & 39 days
2nd) Pepe – 39 years & 283 days
3rd) Cristiano Ronaldo – 37 years & 292 days
4th) Gunnar Gren – 37 years & 236 days
5th) Cuauhtemoc Blanco – 37 years & 151 days
