Spain’s oldest ever goalscorer Aritz Aduriz to lead the line against England at Wembley
Athletic Bilbao's 35-year-old striker became a record breaker against Macedonia on Saturday
SPAIN’S oldest goalscorer will lead the line at Wembley.
Athletic Bilbao ace Aritz Aduriz broke an 86-year-old record when he netted in the 4-0 win over Macedonia last Saturday.
Scoring aged 35 years 275 days put Aduriz’s name in the history books — breaking the mark of 35 years 225 days set by Jose Maria Pena in 1930.
And Spain boss Julen Lopetegui praised the veteran. He said: “Aduriz is important to the group because he is a fantastic professional.”
Aduriz’s story is astonishing as the veteran hitman essentially started playing for Spain aged 35. He had only one cap until this year, which he won in 2010.
He was out of the reckoning until last season when his blistering form for Bilbao forced ex-boss Vicente Del Bosque to take him to Euro 2016. He now has ten caps and two goals.
Aduriz fired 31 goals in all competitions last season — and became only the fifth player over 35 in La Liga history to score a hat-trick, his coming against Deportivo La Coruna.
Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata has a niggle and Manchester City playmaker David Silva has a toe problem — both will be rested.
Lopetegui says England are getting better under boss Gareth Southgate.
He insisted: “The England team is improving, showing different skills in the offensive phase. They are trying to work on the defensive phase.”