Mexican football legend Antonio Carbajal has passed away at the age of 93, the Mexican Football Federation confirmed this evening.
Nicknamed "La Tota", Carbajal was also known as El Cinco Copas (five cups), after the former El Tri goalkeeper played in five editions of the FIFA World Cup between 1950 and 1966, a record he held alone for 32 years, before it was initially equalled by Germany’s Lothar Matthäus.
His club career spanned 18 years between 1948 and 1966, whilst at international level, he earned 48 caps between 1950 and 1966. After hanging up his boots, his love affair with the game continued for a further 26 years between 1969 and 1995.
Facts and figures
At club level
He made 409 professional appearances
Most of his career was with León, where he played 364 games in 16 years
He also played 45 games for Club España
As a coach, he was at the helm for 722 games including a ten-year spell at Atlético de Morelia between 1985 and 1995)
With the Mexican National Team
He played 48 matches with the national team
He made his international debut against Brazil in the opening match of the 1950 FIFA World Cup Brazil
At Chile 1962, he was part of Mexico's first victory at a FIFA World Cup against Czechoslovakia
He played a total of 11 FIFA World Cup matches.
Message from the FIFA President
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.
