At 70, former miner-turned-goalkeeper Angel Mateos Gonzalez is proving age is only a quantity.
When he pulls on the gloves for CD Colunga in opposition to guests Praviano within the fifth tier of Spanish soccer on Sunday, he’ll reportedly turn into the oldest participant to look in an official match in Spain.
Colunga stated it has named Mateos within the matchday squad for the Tercera Federacion Group Two fixture as a “tribute” to the keeper, who initially retired from aggressive soccer on the age of 43.
“That is neither a report nor an oddity. It’s a tribute,” the Asturian membership stated on Instagram.
“Mateos represents precisely what we stand for at Colunga – ardour, consistency, respect for soccer and a way of life the game that goes past age.
“We’re speaking a couple of man who has been a miner, who has devoted his life to work and soccer. This is not about numbers, it is about values. If anybody focuses solely on his age, they’re lacking the purpose.”
Gonzalez has been serving to out the membership’s goalkeepers this season, providing steering and assist behind the scenes.
He informed native newspaper Las Provincias he’s not sure whether or not he’ll play the complete match however insists he’s nonetheless up for the problem.
“I nonetheless really feel agile,” stated Gonzalez, who’s 5ft 8in and represented Turon, Caudal and Santiago de Aller, sides who play at an identical degree to Colunga, throughout his profession.
“I’ve remained lively, taking part in for the Hunosa firm crew, the Turon veterans’ crew, and I am nonetheless taking part in right this moment.
“After I began, it was virtually a special sport – the balls, the pitches…
“I bear in mind I used to maintain a cauldron subsequent to the objective in order that, with out the referee seeing me, I may scoop out water when the pitches acquired muddy, which again then was virtually a each day incidence.”
Sunday’s fixture is of little consequence for Colunga, who sit tenth within the 18‑crew league with two matches remaining – away from any relegation considerations and likewise out of promotion competition.
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