Former Mexican goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal, first player to play in 5 World Cups, dies at 93

the legendary goalkeeper Mexican Antonio “Tota” Carbajal, the first player to play in five World Cups, died on Tuesday at the age of 93 in the city of León.

“Last week he felt unwell, they did a check-up, he was taken to the hospital and spent the weekend at home. Unfortunately, on Tuesday morning, his body couldn’t take it anymore and that’s how his life ended. of ‘Tota'”, informed the AFP António Moreno, director of the International Football Hall of Famewhich is supported by FIFA.

“Antonio Carbajal is an icon of Mexican and world football because, in fact, he was the first to play in five World Cups and he was on the field in all five”, added Moreno Zermeño, who kept in constant contact with the legendary player and his family.

Antonio Carbajal played in the World Cups in Brazil-1950, Switzerland-1954, Sweden-1958, Chile-1962 and England-1966.

Later, his mark was equaled by the German Lothar Matthaus, the Italian Gianluigi Buffon, the Argentine Lionel Messi, the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo and the Mexicans Rafael Márquez, Guillermo Ochoa and Andrés Guardado.

Mexican soccer is mourning the death of Antonio “La Tota” Carbajal.
We will always remember you as a history and the first to play 5 World Cups, Legend.

DEP. pic.twitter.com/J4KwGUguUG

– National Team (@miseleccionmx) May 9, 2023

A life in football

Born on June 7, 1929 in Mexico City, Antonio Carbajal played in his country’s top flight between 1948 and 1966 for Real España and León.

For the Mexican national team, he played 47 games between 1950 and 1966. He also participated in the London Olympics in 1948, but did not play.

After his retirement as a player, he was coach of the first division of Unión de Curtidores, León and Morelia. He was also a television commentator for several World Cups.

Already retired from professional football, in the city of León, Guanajuato, he carried out social work with children in vulnerable situations at a rehabilitation center called ‘La Búsqueda’.

“In the last years of his life, already over 80 years old, he dedicated himself to helping and advising underprivileged children, with family problems and drug addicts. He gave lectures, organized soccer games and that still kept him emotional in his last years”, Antonio Moreno said.

Antonio Carbajal was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 2011 as part of the first generation.

“He will be greatly missed, he was a good man with great character and a history”, concluded Antonio Moreno.