Colombia's Faryd Mondragon became the oldest player to participate in a World Cup at 43 years and 3-days-old when the team substituted the veteran goalkeeper in during Tuesday's game against Japan.
"It's a great moment, at the end of a long journey, to play at the age of 43 at the World Cup," he told reporters after the match. "Thanks to all my colleagues."
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The Daily Mail reported that it was Mondragon's sixth World Cup. He was put in during the 85th minute of the game, replacing goalkeeper David Ospina once the team had essentially clinched Group C as they led 3-1. The team ultimately won 4-1.
The record for oldest player was previously held by Cameroon striker Roger Milla. He played in the 1994 tournament in the United States at age 42,
The Associated Press reported.
Tuesday's large crowd, the vast majority of which rooted for Colombia throughout the game, gave Mondragon a thundering round of applause as he entered the field. He defended the goal admirably, making one save before being substituted back out. As he left, he snagged the game ball as a souvenir.
"That's for my own private museum," Mondragon said after the game.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter took to Twitter to congratulate Mondragon after his appearance.
Colombia coach Jose Pekerman also congratulated Mondragon, saying, "Faryd has been a very important player for us. We always knew that our goal was very well protected with him in it. So we gave him the chance to play a couple minutes so he can be recorded as the oldest [player] at a World Cup."
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