At 82 years old, Lamberto Boranga has made history as Italy’s oldest-ever footballer after debuting for seventh-tier club USD Trevana. The veteran goalkeeper, who once shared a dressing room with Carlo Ancelotti at Parma, returned to the pitch six years after last playing professionally — proving that passion for the game truly never fades.
Italy’s Oldest Footballer Makes Remarkable Return
Italian goalkeeper Lamberto Boranga has achieved an extraordinary milestone, becoming the oldest player in Italian football history at the age of 82. The veteran shot-stopper made his debut for USD Trevana, a seventh-tier side, in a 10-0 defeat to Foligno.
Boranga, who began his professional career over 60 years ago in 1961 with Perugia, returned to football after six years away from the game. His comeback came after Trevana offered him the chance to play once again, and he couldn’t resist the opportunity to get back between the posts.
Despite the heavy loss, the octogenarian handled the occasion with pride and humility, revealing after the match that he still pulled off a few crucial saves.
I made two mistakes,” Boranga admitted, “but I made three or four good saves.
From Perugia to Parma — A Six-Decade Journey
Boranga’s football journey is one of the longest on record. After beginning his professional career at Perugia, he went on to represent Fiorentina, Brescia, and Parma, enjoying a long career that spanned more than three decades before his first retirement in 1993.
Sixteen years later, the former Serie A keeper returned to amateur football and played until 2019. His latest comeback at 82 makes him a two-time retiree — and now, twice a record-breaker.
Beyond football, Boranga is a qualified biologist and sports doctor, a combination that has helped him maintain peak fitness deep into his 80s. His discipline and love for sport have allowed him to defy time and expectations alike.
Shared the Pitch with Carlo Ancelotti
During his spell with Parma from 1978 to 1980, Boranga crossed paths with a young Carlo Ancelotti, who was just beginning his professional career. The now-legendary coach, who has managed Real Madrid, Chelsea, and currently leads Brazil’s national team, was in his final season with Parma when Boranga joined the club.
The two briefly shared the same dressing room in the 1978-79 season, linking two eras of Italian football in a story that continues to fascinate fans decades later.
Still Defying the Odds
Boranga’s return to football is more than a sporting record — it’s a testament to his endurance, mindset, and lifelong dedication to the game. At an age when most players have long hung up their boots, he continues to step onto the field with the same enthusiasm he had in the 1960s.
