Veteran Goalkeeper to Return to Official Football Match in Spain
Ángel Mateos González, aged 70, is preparing to play as goalkeeper for CD Colunga, an Asturian football team, in an upcoming official match. This appearance would make him the oldest player to participate in an official game in Spain.
Having retired from competitive football 27 years ago, González has been assisting Colunga’s goalkeepers throughout the current Tercera Federación group two season. He is scheduled to play in a fifth-tier match this Sunday.
Regarding his participation, González stated:
“I’m going to train with the team this week but I still don’t know if I’ll play the entire 90 minutes or just the first half.”
CD Colunga announced on Facebook that they decided to field González in their match against regional rivals CD Praviano as a tribute to his lifelong dedication to both work and football.
The club emphasized that this decision was not a publicity stunt but a recognition of a man who embodies the club’s values. Their statement read:
“Mateos perfectly embodies what we stand for at CD Colunga: passion; consistency; respect for football, and a way of experiencing the sport that transcends age.”
“Age is secondary. What matters is attitude, dedication and commitment to the sport. We’re talking about a man who was a miner, who has dedicated his life to work and football, and who has helped our goalkeepers all season long.”
Further, the club added:
“Mateos isn’t playing because he’s 70 years old. He’s playing because he’s earned it.”
Reflections on Football’s Evolution and Personal Journey
González, a former miner, shared with El Comercio that although he has remained physically active, football has evolved significantly since his early days. He recalled:
“When I started out, it was almost a different sport. The balls; the pitches … I remember I used to keep a bucket next to the goalpost so I could bail out water when the pitch got muddy, which was almost an everyday occurrence back then.”
CD Colunga highlighted that the upcoming match transcends the focus on González’s age. The club stated:
“If anyone’s focusing solely on his age, then they’re missing what’s important.”
“This is about getting back to the essence of football, recognising the people who make it great and showing that there’s another way of doing things.”
