70-year-old footballer to play in Spanish league match

Have you ever played footy with your grandparents and thought, they could be on a professional team?

Well, that's what's happened to 70-year-old Ángel Mateos González from Spain.

Ángel has been invited to play as a goalkeeper for CD Colunga against visitors Praviano in the fifth tier of Spanish football on Sunday.

When he puts on his gloves and steps out onto the pitch, he will reportedly become the oldest player to appear in an official match in Spain.

The team said it picked Ángel to play in the squad for the Tercera Federacion Group Two fixture as a "tribute" to the keeper, who retired from competitive football at the age of 43.

"Mateos represents exactly what we stand for at Colunga - passion, consistency, respect for football and a way of living the sport that goes beyond age," said CD Colunga on their social media.

"We are talking about a man who has been a miner, who has dedicated his life to work and football. This isn't about numbers, it's about values. If anyone focuses solely on his age, they are missing the point."

Ángel has been helping out the club's goalkeepers this season, offering guidance and support behind the scenes.

He told local newspaper Las Provincias he is unsure whether he will play the full match but insists he is still up for the challenge.

"I still feel agile," he said.

"I've remained active, playing for the Hunosa company team, the Turon veterans' team, and I'm still playing today."

CD Colunga currently sit 10th in the 18‑team league with two matches remaining - clear of any relegation concerns and also out of promotion contention.