Antonio Carbajal

El Cinco Copas: first to play five World Cups

Antonio "Tota" Carbajal Rodríguez (7 June 1929 – 9 May 2023) was a Mexican professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He was also called "El Cinco Copas", in reference to his record of having played five World Cups.

Quick Facts

Full name: Antonio Carbajal Rodríguez
Born: 7 June 1929
Birthplace: Mexico City, Mexico
Died: 9 May 2023
Place of death: León, Guanajuato, Mexico
Height: 1.81 m / 5 ft 11 in
Position: Goalkeeper
Total caps: 409

Lore & Background

Born in Mexico City, Carbajal became a professional footballer with Club España in 1948. After España's disappearance in 1950, he joined Club León, where he remained until the end of his career. He made his international debut for Mexico on 24 June 1950 against Brazil. He was the youngest goalkeeper in that tournament at age 21.

He appeared in one match at the 1954 World Cup, three in 1958, and at the 1962 World Cup became the first footballer to appear in four World Cups, helping Mexico win its first-ever World Cup match (3–1 vs Czechoslovakia). In 1966, aged 37, he made his fifth World Cup appearance, starting in a 0–0 draw against Uruguay. He appeared in 48 international matches for Mexico. In 11 World Cup matches from 1950 to 1966, he conceded 25 goals.

Along with German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, he holds the record for most consecutive World Cup appearances without a clean sheet (11).

Reader's Guide

Carbajal's record of five World Cup appearances stood unmatched for over 30 years until equalled by Lothar Matthäus in 1998. It has since been emulated by Rafael Márquez (2018), Lionel Messi (2022), Cristiano Ronaldo (2022), Andrés Guardado (2022), and Guillermo Ochoa (also a goalkeeper, called up for five World Cups but did not play in 2006 and 2010). In 2015, Homare Sawa and Formiga became the first footballers to appear in a record sixth Women's World Cup.

After retiring, Carbajal managed Club León, Unión de Curtidores, Atletas Campesinos, and Atlético Morelia. He won the Copa México and Campeón de Campeones twice with León in the early 1970s. He was awarded Primera División's best coach once. He won the Segunda División championship with Atletas Campesinos in partnership with Antonio Ascencio.

During the 1984–85 season, he managed Atlético Morelia, helping them avoid relegation, and later led them to multiple postseason appearances including two semi-finals.