Javier Pinola has received the ovation of the whole River: his goal at 39 has inserted him in the great history of Argentine football

Javier Pinola jumped higher than the River defenders and with a precise header scored River’s third goal in a 4-1 win over Newell’s. It had been nearly two years since he had scored a goal and, at 39 years and 5 months, he had become the second oldest player in River history to score a goal. The record is still held by Angel Amadeo Labruna, who last celebrated in 1958 at the age of 40 and a month.

But in addition, Pinola is one of the 10 oldest footballers to have scored a goal in Argentine football, moving from that place to Omar Arnaldo Palmawho scored his last goal at 39 years and 3 months. The record holder is still José Sand, from Lanús, who scored against Independiente on Saturday at the age of 42 years and 27 days.

At the end of the game, while an ovation came down from the stands, Pinola acknowledged: “I don’t remember when my last goal was, eh. Feelings of joy, emotion, I haven’t played on this field for a long time. You work, you fight for to be there and then the coach makes the decisions, today it’s my turn and I tried to repay the trust that my teammates and the coaching staff give me, they are the ones who let me participate in every training session. We are all important, we compete for this ” .

The defender with no deadline added: “I wanted to show that I can help, the recognition of the people is a separate and very nice reward. Injuries have helped me in my career, I have not had any fractures. I take care of myself and prepare myself for the day. by day. Marcelo has already said it many times, here the request is daily, we ask each other to be at the highest level, I like it and I accept it “.

Pinola ended the match as a central duo with another historic Gallardo cycle as Jonatan Maidana (the same duo that won the 2018 Libertadores in Madrid). His contract expires in December of this year and then he could reattach the boots, but Javi remains strong and doesn’t seem to give much importance to the calendar.

The 5 oldest players to score an official goal in the River

1. Angel Amadeo Labruna, 40 years and a month (1958)
2. Javier Pinola, 39 years and 5 months (2022)
3. Iván Alonso, 37 years and 8 months (2016)
4. Ariel Ortega, 36 years and 6 months (2010)
5. Enzo Francescoli, 36 years and 2 months (1997)

The 10 oldest players to score a goal in the First Division

1. José Sand, Lanús, 42 years and 27 days (2022)
2. Santiago Silva, Aldosivi, 41 years and 3 months (2022)
3. Maximiliano Rodríguez, Newell’s, 40 years and 10 months (2021)
4. Lucas Licht, Gymnastics, 40 years and 7 months (2021)
5. Angel Labruna, River, 40 years and a month (1958)
6. Rolando Schiavi, Boca, 39 years and 9 months (2012)
7. Sebastián Bértoli, Board of Trustees, 39 years and 8 months (2016)
8. Esteban Fuertes, Colón, 39 years and 5 months (2012)
9. José Luis Calderón, Argentine, 39 years and 5 months (2010)
10. Javier Pinola, River, 39 years and 5 months (2022)