Diego López surpasses a myth

The perspective of history will tell that Diego López has been the goalkeeper of the records in Espanyol. Above Carlos Kameni in the number of minutes in a row without conceding goals in the First Division, surpassing a myth like Tommy n'kono for his streak in Second and devouring the unbeaten Gorka Iraizoz in the memorable 2006-07 UEFA Cup. But since this Wednesday, August 4, 2021, Virtually beat another legend, the perico club and world football. And to be, very soon, in another LaLiga honor roll.

Born on November 3, 1981, Diego López meets 39 years and 274 days. A figure without any symbolic charge except for a Espanyol footballer, since He is already one day older than Alfredo di Stéfano was when, on April 3, 1966 against Atlético de Madrid in Sarrià (0-2), he put on the blue and white jersey for the last time. La Saeta Rubia has been the longest-lived player in the history of the perico club. The goalkeeper will overcome it, precisely, in the return of Espanyol to the First Division, on Saturday the 13th in front of Osasuna.

But not only that. Throughout this season, if there is no unforeseen event, Diego López opts to become the second oldest goalkeeper in LaLiga's nine decades, since on May 22, 2022, when the thirty-eighth day is played, it will have 40 years and 200 exact days.

Input, will already pass Andrés Palop, who was fired at 39 years and 222 days. But during the championship he must be ahead of Cesar Sanchez (40 years and 15 days) and Jacques Songo’o (40 years and 67 days), to stay close to the debut and express withdrawal of Alberto Cifuentes placeholder image (41 years and 121 days) and Ricardo Lopez (41 years and 153 days).

Too in the total ratio, which includes outfield players, the goalkeeper of Espanyol is a candidate to be placed sixth or seventh –Joaquín Sánchez, who is 126 days older, will be setting the path for him– if the campaign that now begins ends on the grass. Is close to reaching Juanfran Garcia (39 years and 305 days), the aforementioned César and Songo'o, and has a shot at Manuel Pablo (40 years and 110 days) and to Donato Gama da Silva (40 years and 173 days). Ahead they will be left alone Juan Carlos Valeron (40 years and 306 days), Amedeo Carboni (41 years and 40 days), the aforementioned Cifuentes and Ricardo, and the unreachable Harry Lowe, who on March 24, 1935 played a match with Real Sociedad (of which he was coach) at 48 years and 226 days.

Champion of the Champions, LaLiga and the Copa del Rey with the Real Madrid, the former player of Villarreal, Seville or Milan arrived just ago a lustrum to Espanyol, on the last day of the 2016 summer market, pushed by the irruption of a very young Gianluigi Donnarumma in the squad rossonera. Far from starting its decline, it has already 175 official matches as a parakeet, with the already commented records of being 585 minutes in a row unbeaten in First, 531 'in Second and 373' in Europe.

The actual 'Zamora' from LaLiga Smartbank, with 25 goals conceded in 40 days, has also become at this point in ehe fifth goalkeeper who has played the most games in the history of Espanyol, only behind the 333 of Tommy N'Kono, the 265 of Toni Jimenez, the 229 of Carlos Kameni and the 216 of Jose Trias, famous postwar doorman. That is to say, it has already surpassed figures such as Alberto Martorell, Vicente Train or Javier Urruticoechea, Urruti. Incomparable, yes, with Ricardo Zamora, who played many more games now discontinued than LaLiga (a year as a parakeet) and the Cup.

Would you sign, with Joaquín's permission, be the grandfather of Primera and in Espanyol? AS asked him last Christmas. “Of course yes“answered Diego López, who begins his year of contract but has already confessed that heand would love to retire at Espanyol and, in turn, follow in the footsteps of his colleague Gianluigi Buffon, active and in the elite at 43 years. If he succeeds, he will have smashed all the records. Starting now with Di Stéfano's.