Nino, the 'grandfather' of the goal, makes history

Elche striker Juan Francisco Martínez Modesto, better known as Nino has become the third oldest player to score in the history of Spanish professional soccer (First and Second Division). The Andalusian, who turned 40 last week, scored the first goal of the match between Ponferradina and Elche, which leads him to overcome the historic César Rodríguez, who scored his last goal with the franjiverde shirt at 39 years, 10 months and 25 days, as the top scorer in the history of the team from Elche.

But not only has he made history with the Elche shirt, with which he is also the player who has played the most games and scored the most goals. Between First and Second Division, only donato, who scored his last goal in First with Deportivo de la Coruña at age 40 and 138 days, and Juan Costa Font surpass him, according to MisterChip data. This season, therefore, he will not be able to become the oldest, but he could do so next season.

Such is his legend that no other professional has been able to score in 23 consecutive seasons in Spain. He is also the top scorer in the history of Segunda and the footballer who has played the most games in the silver division. A myth that only one thing remains to do: achieve the long-awaited promotion with the franjiverde shirt and, who knows, be able to score again a goal in Primera.