By A year has been added to Pepe Reina’s contract with Villarreal. The custodian, who is 40 years old, is working for a unique record.
Reina will become the first player to play in one of the five major European leagues for at least 24 consecutive seasons if he receives playing time in the upcoming season.
The 36-time Spanish international’s career began during FC Barcelona’s 2000–2001 campaign. He donned the jerseys of Villarreal, Liverpool, Napoli, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Aston Villa, and Lazio in the years that followed. Only the French Ligue 1 is absent from his ranking of the top five leagues.
“It is a gift to be able to continue playing. I do not know when I’ll stop yet. Villarreal is my last club,” says veteran Reina, who is in his second period at Villarreal.
Reina began the previous season as ‘El Submarino Amarillo’s’ backup keeper. The native of Madrilena was virtually often on goal when rival Gerónimo Rulli left for Ajax for 10 million Euros. In his career, he played in more than a thousand games.
Villarreal finished the Spanish league behind FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, and Real Sociedad with Reina in goal. Thus, the club has qualified for the Europa League.
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