At the age of 83, Lamberto Boranga continues to write the incredible story of world football when most of his colleagues have already retired from the pitch.
At 83 years old, Boranga is not yet ready to stop.
Lamberto Boranga has become the oldest player ever to appear in the Football Manager 2026 database, a remarkable milestone for a career spanning over half a century.
Boranga made his professional football debut in 1961 and made over 100 appearances in Serie A for Fiorentina, Brescia, and Cesena. However, his most remarkable achievement came towards the end of his career. In October 2025, he started for seventh-division side Trevana against Foligno, becoming the oldest player to ever play an official match in Italy.
Despite conceding five goals before leaving the field, Boranga maintained his usual frankness. He admitted to making two mistakes, but also noted several notable saves. For him, the joy of playing was more important than the result.
Boranga's journey becomes even more remarkable when looking back. At the age of 34, he played alongside Carlo Ancelotti for Parma. After announcing his retirement in 1993, Boranga continued to play semi-professional football, alongside his work as a cardiologist.
Data about Mr. Boranga in the popular game.
Beyond football, Boranga was also an outstanding track and field athlete. He won gold medals at the World and European Masters championships and set world records in the long jump and triple jump for the over-65 age group.
His appearance in Football Manager 2026 demonstrates a rare level of resilience. In the game, his stats reflect that he maintains a remarkable level of fitness and agility, but his speed and stamina decline over time.
Speaking about age, Boranga compared himself to Luka Modric when the Croatian player was still playing at the highest level in Serie A. For him, age is just a number, while passion is the deciding factor.