Veteran goalkeeper Gustavo Pérez Segura has received his first national team call-up at the remarkable age of 45. Marking the biggest surprise in Spain’s preliminary squad for their upcoming matches against England and Switzerland on March 7 and 11.
The Peñíscola Servigroup goalkeeper’s inclusion in the 30-player preliminary list represents an extraordinary achievement in terms of longevity in Spanish futsal. If selected for the final squad, which will compete for qualification to the 2026 European Championship in Latvia and Lithuania, Pérez Segura would become the oldest debutant in national team history. Surpassing former Barcelona goalkeeper Paco Sedano, who played in the 2018 European Championship at age 38.
National coach Jesús Velasco, who took charge in November, has stayed true to his word about keeping First Division players motivated. He consistently releases a preliminary list of 30 players before announcing his final squad, ensuring all performing players have a chance at selection.
Pérez Segura
Pérez Segura’s call-up comes during an impressive season with Peñíscola Servigroup. He has started 16 of 17 league matches, missing one due to injury, and has even managed to score a goal. His career spans an impressive 24 seasons across 10 different clubs in Spain’s top two divisions. Including five seasons with Peñíscola across two spells (2012-2014 and 2022-2025).
His journey in futsal began unexpectedly at age 21 in Ocaña, when he filled in as a backup goalkeeper for a Second Division match. Throughout his career, he has achieved remarkable success, securing five promotions to the First Division with various clubs (Guadalajara, Pinto, Gran Canaria, and twice with Peñíscola) and winning two Second Division titles (with Gestesa Alcarreño and Peñíscola).
The preliminary squad includes four other goalkeepers: Miquel Feixas (Barcelona), Antonio Navarro (El Hidalgo Manzanares), Asier Llamas (Osasuna Magna), and José Miguel “Chemi” Oliver (Jimbee Cartagena). Other notable additions include the return of Hispanic-Brazilian defender Braga and pivot Juan Emilio Gil.
Spain currently leads Group 8 in European Championship qualifying with a perfect record of three wins from three matches, scoring 21 goals while conceding just one. Their campaign continues with home matches against England in Toledo and Switzerland in Segovia.
