Pizarro Becomes Oldest Goalscorer In Bundesliga History

By Max Wise

Claudio Pizarro became the oldest goalscorer in the history of the German Bundesliga at the age of 40 years and 136 days when his 96th-minute free-kick salvaged a 1-1 draw for Werder Bremen away to Hertha Berlin on Saturday.

Pizarro broke the record which was previously held by another former Werder Bremen player, Mirko Votava, whose goal at the age of 40 years and 121 days had stood for close to 23 years.

Pizarro is in his fifth spell at Werder Bremen and has played for the likes of Bayern Munich, where he won six Bundesliga titles and one UEFA Champions League in two spells, Chelsea and FC Cologne.

The former Peru international is the highest scoring foreigner in the history of the Bundesliga with 195 goals in 463 games.

"I'm very happy, very proud about [becoming the oldest scorer in Bundesliga history]," Pizarro told bundesliga.com after the game. "We had one opportunity at the end, and we scored. One point is very important."

Votava, whose record Pizarro has just broken, is a coach with the Werder Bremen reserves and he expressed delight at the Peruvian’s achievement.

“I’m pleased for him and he knows that,” the now 62-year-old said. “We’ve spoken a few times in recent weeks saying he’d break the record this season. I can’t think of a more deserved successor than Claudio.”