Real Betis winger Joaquin scored a spectacular goal against Ludogorets on Thursday, becoming the oldest goalscorer in Europa League history.
At 41 years and 56 days old, Joaquin is officially the oldest player to score a goal in the competition.
The Betis Wideman never seemed to show any signs of ending his career, with Joaquin admirably curling into the top corner after Luiz Henrique put Betis into the lead to make it 2-0.
Joaquin Takes Away Top Spot from Daniel Hestad
The player’s impact into the top corner means he has passed Norway’s Daniel Hestad in the record book.
Hestad scored for Norwegian club Molde in November 2015 at the age of 40 years and 98 days, but has now lost to Joaquin.
At 38 years and 324 days, Jorge Molina of Getafe takes the third position right after Joaquin and Hestad.
AEK Larnaca’s David Catala – 38 years 224 days and Walter Samuel, then 37 years 333 days at FC Basel, are in the top five.
This isn’t the first time Joaquin has toasted at the competition. In February, he was named the oldest player ever to assist a goal in the Europa League – at the time he was 40 years and 211 days old.
The midfielder graduated from Betis’ prestigious youth academy in 1999 and was part of the Betis organization until moving to Valencia in 2006.
He then returned to Betis in 2015 after playing for Malaga and Fiorentina. The continued to provide them with remarkable moments. After all, Thursday night was anything but easy for Betis.
First, Ludogorets’ Kiril Despodov cut the deficit by one right before half-time and Brazilian star Rick scored from the stands after Sergio Canales won 3-1.
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