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When the Nati play against Andorra on Friday, they meet a man who has made it into the Guinness Book of Records thanks to football. His name is Ildefons Lima. In 1997, at the age of 17, he made his debut for the small nation in the Pyrenees. He is now 43 and still playing. There are 26 years and 134 international matches between them. No one else in the world has had such a long international career.
“Football is my life,” Lima proudly says after lunch with his team on the phone with a look. His history as a footballer also matches Andorra’s football history. After all, his debut against Estonia (1:4) was also the country’s second game. He was responsible for the only Andorra goal that night. It was his country’s second goal.
Lima loves Switzerland
Lima has seen just about everything in his seemingly never-ending professional football career. The defender has worked in Spain, Greece, Mexico, Switzerland and Italy. “From 2009 to 2011 I played for AC Bellinzona under coach Marco Schällibaum.” Despite relegation, he has good memories of the two years in Ticino. He scored four goals in 45 games – all in four games in a row.
The Andorran legend no longer really follows the Super League. That was too complicated in his home country. But Switzerland as a country did it to him. That’s why he always likes to come back. “I was on holiday with you a few days ago. I visited Geneva, Lausanne and Zurich. Your country is beautiful,” he says enthusiastically.
“He Was a Beast”
Lima also gets excited when he thinks of all the opponents he’s faced over the years. Who did he like best? Brazilian Ronaldo. He was a beast! No one could stop him. He had something special.” Andorra met Brazil in June 1998 and put up a good fight. In the end it was 0:3 against the later vice-world champion.
To remember all the encounters, Lima has chosen an intense hobby: collecting sweaters! “I love it. I now have almost 1000 at home and each has its own story. I should open a museum.” That there are so many also has to do with his teammates. “When I’m not there, they always organize something for me,” says Lima with a laugh.
Countless sweaters from his time at Bellinzona have made it into his collection. Including one from St. Gallen. “It belongs to Michael Lang.” Swiss national jerseys have also found their place. But as Switzerland have only played Andorra twice, there are only two. “I have one from Granit Xhaka, another from Xherdan Shaqiri.”
End of career in Switzerland?
There will certainly be another sweater in the collection on Friday. But Lima will hardly play from the start. Especially since he had his last assignment for Andorra almost exactly a year ago. After that he was absent “for tactical reasons” and due to injuries. Now he is back and hopes to play. “At least a few minutes.”
How long will he continue? His contract with FC Andorra B expires. It is unlikely to be extended. Lima is actually thinking about the end of his career. “I have to make room for the boys,” he says wistfully, crossing out a date and an opponent: September 12, 2023. Then his Andorra will play against Switzerland in the Valais Tourbillon. “It would be a nice end to my career.”
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
