Newly promoted Cádiz, playing in LaLiga for the first time since 2005-06, started the new campaign brightly on Sunday with a 2-0 away victory over Huesca.
There were a couple of feel-good stories on the day, including 35-year-old striker Álvaro Negredo scoring his first LaLiga goal since 2016 after a sojourn abroad that included stints with Manchester City, Middlesbrough and Beşiktaş.
But even better was the first top tier appearance for 41-year-old goalkeeper Alberto Cifuentes, who became the oldest-ever LaLiga debutant and kept a clean sheet.
Cifuentes spent the majority of his early career in the Spanish third and second divisions, although he was part of Mallorca’s LaLiga squad as the third-choice keeper. He then briefly moved to Poland before returning to Spain with Cádiz in 2015.
He’s since been the club’s starter (appearing over 200 times) through promotions from both the third division and the Segunda División. Prior to making his debut, Cifuentes told FIFA.com that he was “dreaming like a little kid.”
“Let’s see if it happens,” Cifuentes said before the game. “It’s something I’ve set my sights on my entire career and it shows that, no matter what age you are, you can still accomplish major goals in sport.”
Debut.
Victoria.
Portería a cero.Un día que @AlberCifu79 nunca olvidará.Con 41 años y 114 días, el portero del @Cadiz_CF se convierte en el SEGUNDO JUGADOR más veterano en debutar en #LaLigaHistory.#LaLigaSantander#HuescaCádiz #HayQueVivirla pic.twitter.com/CFHHQtFHCj
— LaLiga (@LaLiga) September 20, 2020
@AlberCifu79: “Estoy súper feliz de haber debutado en #LaLigaSantander con este equipo” pic.twitter.com/JfBpfNglUk
— Cádiz Club de Fútbol (@Cadiz_CF) September 20, 2020
It’ll only get tougher from here, but the 41-year-old is relishing the challenge.
“We have an excellent squad of players — they’re extremely hard-working, full of fighting spirit, and supportive of one another,” he said. “At the end of the day, what’s important is your mindset, and what keeps you going is your enthusiasm.”
And the prospect of playing against Lionel Messi?
“I would love to be able to say that I played against him and his Barça side, because it would be a real career highlight. And with a bit of luck, I’d stop him and help us to pocket the points!”
