Ildefons Lima: The Record-Setting Icon of Men's International Football

Ildefons Lima: The Record-Setting Icon of Men's International Football

Ildefons Lima: The Record-Setting Icon of Men's International Football(Image-Getty)

 Ildefons Lima, an Andorran footballer, has concluded the longest international career in men's football after representing his country in 137 matches spanning an astonishing 26 years, spanning four different decades. Lima, who is now 43 years old, made his debut for the Andorran national team at the age of 17 in 1997, during a match against Estonia, which marked Andorra's second official international appearance. Throughout his illustrious career, Lima contributed 11 goals to Andorra's cause and even held the captain's armband.

In 2021, the Guinness World Records acknowledged Lima's remarkable achievement by officially recognizing him as the male footballer with the longest international playing career.

Lima's farewell match took place during an Euro 2024 Group I qualifier, as Andorra faced Switzerland, ultimately losing 3-0. He started the game and played for 23 minutes before receiving a well-deserved standing ovation from the fans at the Stade de Tourbillon in Switzerland. Notably, this appearance also etched his name into the record books as the oldest footballer to ever participate in a Euro qualifier.

UEFA paid tribute to Lima's incredible journey with a post on social media, saying, "Congratulations to Andorra's Ildefons Lima on an incredible journey, the longest national team career ever," on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

It's worth noting that while Ildefons Lima holds this record in men's football, the women's record for the longest international career belongs to former Brazilian international Formiga. She played for 26 years, spanning from 1995 to 2021, accumulating over 200 appearances for her national team.