Exceptional Comeback by Aitor Sanz
Aitor Sanz has achieved a remarkable milestone in his football career. After a seven-month absence due to injury, he made a triumphant comeback against Castellón, becoming the oldest footballer to play in the Second Division this year at 40 years, 3 months, and 29 days. This achievement surpasses Santi Cazorla’s record, who played against Granada at 40 years and 1 day last December.
Aitor Sanz is an inspiration to everyone, including me, his colleagues, and the fans. His dedication and perseverance are qualities that make him an exceptional player.
Aitor Sanz’s record also makes him the first footballer in Tenerife’s centenary history to play a game over the 40-year-old barrier, exceeding Carlos Ruiz’s record of 39 years and 10 months. Sanz played a crucial role in Tenerife’s victory against Castellón, providing balance in the midfield and impressing with his recoveries and distribution tasks.
Coach Álvaro Cervera praised Aitor Sanz after the match, saying, “He is an example for everyone. For me, for his colleagues, and for the people. In the morning, I asked him how he was, and he told me to keep going until he couldn’t bear it. They treated his knee at half-time, and even so, he continued without asking for a change. I changed him because I wanted to.”
Longevity and Precocity
Tenerife holds the record for having the oldest and youngest player to have played in the Second Division. Aitor Sanz’s record for longevity is complemented by Dani Fernández’s record for precocity, who made his professional football debut against Sporting de Gijón at the age of 16 years, 7 months, and 27 days in September 2024.