Oldest footballer: 70-year-old Colunga goalkeeper Angel Mateos Gonzalez set to become Spanish football’s oldest player

At 70, former Mines-goalkeeper Angel Mateos Gonzalez is proving age is just a number.

He will reportedly become Spain’s oldest player to appear in an official match when he dons the gloves for CD Colunga against visitors Praviano in the fifth tier of Spanish football on Sunday.

Colunga said it named Mateos in the Tercera Federation Group Two matchday squad as a “tribute” to the defender, who originally retired from competitive football at the age of 43.

“It’s not a record or an oddity. It’s a tribute,” the Asturian club said on Instagram.

“Mateos represents what we stand for at Colunga – passion, consistency, respect for football and a way of living the sport that transcends age.

“We are talking about a miner, who has dedicated his life to work and football. It’s not about numbers, it’s about values. If someone only focuses on his age, they’re missing the point.”

Gonzalez has been assisting the club’s goalkeepers this season, providing guidance and support behind the scenes.

He told local newspaper Las Provincias that he was not sure if he would play the full match but insisted he was still up for the challenge.

“I still feel agile,” said Gonzalez, who is 5ft 8in and has represented Turon, Caudal and Santiago de Aller, teams that play at the same level as Colunga, during his career.

“I’ve been active, playing for the Hunosa company team, the Turon Veterans team, and I’m still playing today.

“When I started, it was almost a different game – the ball, the pitch…

“I remember I used to keep a cauldron next to the goal so that I could get water out when the pitches got muddy, which was almost a daily occurrence back then, without the referee seeing me.”

Sunday’s match will be of little consequence for Colunga, who sit 10th in the 18-team league with two matches remaining – clear of any relegation concerns and out of promotion contention.