Lamberto Boranga, at 82, Becomes Italy’s Oldest Active Football Player
In a stunning achievement, Lamberto Boranga, an Italian goalkeeper, has set a new milestone as the oldest footballer to participate in an official match in Italy. At 82 years old, he took to the pitch representing USD Trevana, a club competing in the seventh division.
Boranga’s professional journey began in 1961, and his recent appearance in a league game against Foligno marks an extraordinary return to competitive football after more than sixty years.
An Unbelievable Return to the Pitch
Having last played professionally for Marottese in 2019, Boranga surprised many by signing a short-term deal with Trevana six years later. Although the match ended in a heavy 10-0 defeat, Boranga was substituted halfway through the game, having conceded only five goals before a younger goalkeeper took over the position.
Boranga Shares His Thoughts on the Match
After the game, the seasoned goalkeeper expressed satisfaction with his performance despite his age. “I made a few mistakes, but I also managed to pull off three or four important saves,” Boranga said, emphasizing his enduring reflexes and experience guarding the goal.
A Football Career That Spans Over 60 Years
Boranga’s distinguished career kicked off with Perugia in 1961 and included significant spells at clubs like Fiorentina, Brescia, and Parma before retiring in 1993. His love for football, however, brought him back to amateur leagues in 2009, where he played until 2019, and now he has made an unprecedented comeback at 82 years old.
During his tenure at Parma between 1978 and 1980, Boranga was teammates with Carlo Ancelotti, who later rose to fame as a top-tier manager for clubs such as Real Madrid and Chelsea, and currently leads Brazil’s national team. Their collaboration occurred during the 1978-79 season, marking the early days of Ancelotti’s professional career.