The footballer who played a professional match at 71 years old
At the age of 71 years and 3 months, a Mexican footballer played an official match in the Clausura 2008.
No, it's not a joke. There is a football player who played a professional match in Mexico when he was 71 and 3 months old. This football player was called Salvador Reyes Monteón, but he was better known as "Chava Reyes". Between 1952 and 1967, this striker played for one of the most famous teams in Mexico, Chivas de Guadalajara. At that club, he won a total of 14 titles (including 7 Mexican First Division Titles). He even converted one of the club's most important goals. It happened on January 3, 1957, when Reyes scored a goal against Irapuato FC, the goal that would make his team champion for the first time in history.
Chava Rayes
Currently, he is the second top scorer for the Guadalajara club, with 154 goals (122 were in the national tournament) in 282 games. His record was on top until 2015 when Omar Bravo surpassed him. And as if that were not enough, he represented the Mexican National Team in three World Cups (Sweden 58, Chile 62, and England 66) being a fundamental part of the Tricolor team.
Chava Reyes in an official match with the team of his life
But his story does not end here. When he was 71 years old, he re-signed for the team he loved, the Chivas of Guadalajara, as part of a tribute. The contract was only for 1 game. His new debut occurred during the Clausura 2008, against UNAM's Pumas. He only played a total of 50 seconds and kicked the ball 3 times. He was then replaced by Omar Bravo (who would later surpass his club scoring record) and received a standing ovation from the thousands of fans in the stadium.
Chava Reyes playing an official match at the age of 71
Unfortunately, Salvador Reyes passed away on December 29, 2012, at the age of 76, a victim of colon cancer. But at least he received a beautiful and moving tribute when he was alive.
He was substituted in the 50th second by Omar Bravo
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