Legendary Antonio Carbajal, first footballer to play five World Cups, dies

“Antonio Carbajal is a Mexican and world soccer icon because, indeed, it was the first Cinco Copas and in all five he was on the pitch,” added Moreno Zermeño, who was in constant contact with the historic soccer player and his family.

‘La Tota’ played the World Cups Brazil 1950, switzerland 1954, sweden 1958, Chile 1962 e England 1966. His record held for 32 years, until the German Lothar Matthaus equaled it in France 1998, when he completed his fifth World Cup. The Italian was later added to the feat of Carbajal and Matthaus Gianluigi Buffonthe Argentinian Lionel Messithe Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo and the mexicans Raphael Marquez, Guillermo Ochoa y Andres Guardado. Ochoa, Guardado, Messi and Ronaldo have achieved the mark in the past World Cup Qatar 2022.

Career as a footballer

In his time at the World Cups, Carbajal did not overcome the group stage with Mexico, but he tested himself during 11 parties. Carbajal debuted in soccer with Royal Spain in 1948. In 1950 he signed for Leónwith whom he ended his career as a professional in 1966. In addition to spending most of his career with León, he also chose the city as his residence, after living his early years in his native Mexico City. With León, Carbajal won two league titles and after his retirement from the courts he served as coach of Lion.