WORLD CUP legend Antonio Carbajal has died aged 93.
The 48-cap Mexico goalkeeper was the first player to feature in five tournaments, having appeared at all of them from Brazil 1950 to England 1966.
The goalkeeper held the record for 32 years before Germany hero Lothar Matthaus equalled the feat in 1998.
In total, five players have now matched his achievement after the 2022 event in Qatar.
Lionel Messi, Andres Guardado, Cristiano Ronaldo and Rafael Marquez have all played at five World Cups.
Most of Carbajal’s 18-year playing career was spent at Club Leon in his homeland, where he made 364 appearances, and who he later led to great success as manager in the 1970s.
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The club are set to open their stadium to supporters so they can pay their respects to the man nicknamed La Tota and El Ciinco Copas – meaning “the whole” and “Five Cups” – due to his longevity.
Club Leon said in a statement: “Don Antonio, legends never die.
“We will always follow your hand. It is an honour to be your team.
“With honour, respect and love, let’s say our last goodbye to the emerald legend.”
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Fifa president Gianni Infantino added: “It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Antonio Carbajal, the first player to star in five Fifa World Cups.
“I send our most sincere condolences to his family and to all the Mexican fans who mourn his loss.”
Fans also wrote touching tributes, one said: “Proper history maker, a name that I absorbed as a kid when starting to become obsessed with the World Cup and its history. RIP.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
