World Cup record holder Antonio Carbajal dies
Mexican soccer legend Antonio Carbajal was known as the first soccer player to play in five World Cups and has passed away at the age of 93.
Also known as ‘El Cinco Copas’, Carbajal played in the World Cups in Brazil 1950, Switzerland 1954, Sweden 1958, Chile 1962 and England 1966. Carbajal held this record on his own for 32 years, and in 1998, the German legend Lothar Matthaus shared the record.
Carbajal played 48 matches for his country and played 409 matches at club level, 11 of them in World Cups. He spent most of his 18-year career with Mexican club Club León and played in 364 games over 16 years.
Mexican legend Antonio Carbajal (right). Photo: Reuters.
The club said that together with the family of ‘La Tota’, they will open the stadium doors on Thursday for fans to pay their respects.
“Mr. Antonio, legends do not die,” the Mexican club said in a statement. We will always follow your steps. It is an honor to be on your team. With respect, honor and love, let’s say goodbye to the legend for the last time.
7 FOOTBALL PLAYERS CHALLENGE CARBAJAL’S RECORD
In all, seven players have found success playing in five World Cups as Carbajal, three of whom are from his home country of Mexico.
Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa and midfielder Andrés Guardado played their fifth World Cup in Qatar last year, as did Argentine legend Lionel Messi and Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo.
Rafael Márquez achieved this by becoming the second Mexican player in 2018, and Italy’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made his fifth World Cup appearance in 2014.