The 2021-22 season will be special for Espanyol after returning to Primera a year later and that, like the rest of the clubs, they can once again enjoy the public at the RCDE Stadium. But there is a player who will savor every game with enthusiasm. Diego López, 39, faces what may be his last season in the elite and the one that will ensure, if he at least participates in one game, a record in history perica.
To date, Alfredo Di Stéfano is the footballer who has worn the blue and white jersey the oldest. He did so on May 1, 1966 with 39 years and 273 days. A figure that will exceed the Galician goal if he starts as a starter on the first day of the championship, from August 14. Born on November 3, 1981, Diego López will be at least 39 years and 284 days old if the match is played on that date., so he will leave behind a record that remained 55 years in the power of the Argentine star.
Both players are by far the longest in Espanyol. The following only reached 36 years, such as Roberto Martínez, Carmelo Cedrún and without going any further Martín Demichelis, who played in the 2016-17 campaign in a testimonial way. Diego López continues to increase his weight in the history of Espanyol, in which he can also reach 200 official matches, since he accumulates 175.
Diego López will not be able to, yes and as already happened in the 2019-20 campaign, be the oldest player in the championship. That award goes to Joaquín Sánchez, from Betis, who renewed his contract and is a few months older than the Galician. The Verdiblanco captain was born on July 21, 1981, so the season will begin at the age of 40. Right now, Diego López is the 33rd player who has played at the oldest (38 years and 256) days, but if he finishes the championship playing he could be in seventh position, ahead of Donato de Gama, former Atlético and Deportivo player.
Ahead would only have two goalkeepers. Alberto Cifuentes, who has participated this season with Cádiz with 41 years and 121 days, and Ricardo López, who came to play with 41 years and 153 days. The goalkeeper could only exceed those figures if he manages to play the 2022-23 season in the final stretch of the championship. The record is inaccessible. Harry Lowe played with 48 years and 226 days in the 1934-35 campaign defending the Real Sociedad jersey.