Italian goalkeeper Lamberto Boranga became the country's oldest-ever football player at the age of 82 as he made his debut for seventh-tier USD Trevana. Boranga, who started his professional career more than six decades ago in 1961, briefly played with former Real Madrid and current Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti, when the 66-year-old was plying his trade for Parma.

Boranga returned to football after six years

Boranga, who last played professional football at Marottese in 2019, has returned to the pitch six years later after signing for seventh-tier Italian club Trevana. He made his debut at the age of 82 against Foligno. Unfortunately, Trevana conceded 10 goals in the match as the veteran was replaced midway through the game by a 26-year-old stopper. However, he only conceded half of the total goals his team shipped.

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'I made three or four good saves'

Speaking to reporters after the match, Boranga defended his performance by claiming he did make a couple of quality stops, although he admitted to making mistakes in two instances. He said: "I made two mistakes. But I made three or four good saves."

Boranga's lengthy professional career

Boranga's football journey began at Perugia in 1961, after which he played for clubs like Fiorentina, Brescia and Parma, before announcing his retirement in 1993. However, he came out of retirement after 16 years to play amateur football, which he again quit in 2019. At 82, he has came out of retirement for the second time, after Trevana came calling.

Getty ImagesBoranga played alongside Ancelotti

Boranga spent three seasons at Parma from 1978 to 1980. During the same time, former Real Madrid, Chelsea and current Brazil manager Ancelotti was starting his professional career after coming through the ranks of of the storied club. In his maiden season and Ancelotti's final season with the Italian side in the 1978-79 campaign, the duo crossed paths.