Aspiring Soccer Star Iago Aspas, Age 38, Seeks to Claim the Crown as a Divine Monarch on Earth
Iago Aspas Chasing Celta de Vigo's All-Time Appearances Record
Iago Aspas, the veteran striker for Celta de Vigo, is on a mission to etch his name further into the club's history books. As he turns 38 this coming Friday, Aspas is closing in on a significant milestone – surpassing Manolo Rodríguez as the player with the most games in Celta de Vigo's history.
In an impressive career spanning over a decade with the sky-blue club, Aspas has amassed 524 appearances so far. Rodríguez, who currently holds the record with 533 games, is within reach for the experienced forward. If Aspas manages to play in 10 more games this season, he will become the most capped Celtista of all time.
Aspas' consistent contribution to the team is undeniable. In the 2024-25 season, he was the most productive veteran player in major European football leagues, scoring 10 goals and assisting in 5 of the 30 games he played. This impressive form saw him finish the season as the most productive veteran goalscorer in one of the major leagues, alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Claudio Pizarro, and Olivier Giroud – all players who have also participated in over 37 goals in their respective leagues at the age of 37 or older.
Aspas' most prolific campaign came during the 2016/2017 season, where he scored 26 goals and provided 8 assists, making a total of 34 goal contributions in all competitions. This was a significant improvement from his previous seasons, where he consistently contributed at least 15 goals each year since returning to Celta in 2015.
As Celta de Vigo prepares to return to Europe and compete in the Europa League, Aspas' objective is clear – to become the player with the most games in the history of the sky-blue club. With his experience, talent, and unwavering dedication to the team, there's no doubt that Aspas will continue to guide Celta in attack for many more games to come.
Meanwhile, other notable performances in La Liga include Pedro Rodríguez, who scored 10 goals and 1 assist in 35 games, and Cristian Stuani, who netted 11 goals and 2 assists in 32 games. Luka Modric, on the other hand, contributed 2 goals and 6 assists in 35 La Liga games. However, it is Aspas who stands out as he aims to expand his legend at Celta de Vigo and cement his place as the most capped player in the club's history.
Aspas' pursuit of Celta de Vigo's all-time appearance record places him among the most enduring footballers in European-leagues. His 524 appearances put him just nine games short of surpassing Manolo Rodríguez, the current record holder, in the prestigious Laliga.
