82 years old and still playing! Bolanga: When I first reached the age of a veteran, Ancelotti was still a teenager

October 6: 82-year-old Italian goalkeeper Bolanga, who is still playing football, was interviewed and talked about his experience as Italy's oldest player, his views on age and athletic career, and his evaluation of veterans such as Modric.

Why did your career last for so long? What inspired you?

When I was still at the age of a veteran, there was a promising young man in Parma, Ancelotti, who was a teenager at the time.

At that time, I was a goalkeeper for Parma. In my thirties, I felt a sense of enthusiasm: it was a resentment towards discrimination against time and age. The Regiana Club I played for before roughly interrupted my contract renewal negotiations after I maintained a high level of clean sheets for several consecutive seasons. I remember talking to the team manager about a contract renewal, and he said to me, "My dear Bolanga, a 30-year-old player cannot expect to get the salary you want. At your age, it's better to think about life after football."

I ended the conversation without even saying "goodbye". As I wrote in my new book Blocking Years, I drove away in my Porsche, “I just thought about how to regain my youth through methods and discipline.”

It can be said that since then, I have been thinking about the same topic. After being rejected by Regina, I played in Cesena for four seasons. I never stopped and at the age of 44, my life had turned into a continuous change in diet and training.

You have recently made a record breaking for the low-level team Trevana, how do you define "young"?

Last weekend, I played for Trevana, breaking my record of the oldest player in Italian professional football. Yes, we lost 0-10 in the seventh division and I conceded five goals before being replaced in the 49th minute. But I made two mistakes and made three or four wonderful saves.

A certain level of confidence and aura have always been part of my personality. I suggest everyone, "Youth lies in enthusiasm and self-esteem."

How do you think of senior players like Modric who still perform well in the Serie A?

I am very happy to see Modric performing well in his forties. You can't tell his age on the court. Modric has the kind of talent you won't lose. Moreover, the age of people who are beginning to be considered "old" has increased. Even at 50, you can be considered young…just in a different way.

Even at 82, you are still setting goals. What are your next plans?

I will not guard the goal for Trevana in the next few weeks. Like Modric and Dzeko, I also have to perform the "international competition" task. I will head to Madeira for the European Masters Track and Field Championships, take part in high jumps, and probably add new results to several medals and world records that I have already accumulated in multiple age group categories like triple jumps and long jumps. Moreover, no one dares to say that this is my farewell performance.

Mini-game recommendations:Bonanza Shooter: Bubble Blast