Israeli becomes world’s oldest football player

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - A septuagenarian Israeli has become the oldest person to play in a professional football match on Friday.

French sports daily L'Equipe said on its website Iraqi-born Israeli goalkeeper Isaak Hayik, 73, broke a new record as he is now the oldest person to play in a professional match.

Hayik will turn 74 years next week.

"I'm ready for another match," Hayik remarked.

Hayik set this record after appearing in Friday's match for an Israeli lower division club, Ironi Or Yehuda.

Ironi Or Yehuda suffered a 5-1 loss against Maccabi Ramat Gan.

He received Guinness World Records prize in a ceremony after the match.

The previous holder was Uruguayan player Robert Carmona. Carmona had played a professional match in 2015 while he was 53 years old.