After signing a one-year contract extension, 42-year-old Montpellier defender Vitorino Hilton has revealed the reasons behind his remarkable longevity.
The twice Ligue 1 Conforama champion told RMC: "You have to train every day. I prepare in a special way in order to be able to get going every day. I try to forget about my age and put it to one side. Sometimes I forget I'm 42 and I play alongside Joris Chotard who is 18! I think that helps me always feel fit and to give everything.
"Four or five years ago I thought my wife would tell me to stop"
"Four or five years ago I thought my wife would tell me to stop. Now she's alongside me, backs me and sometimes tells me to carry on. It's encouraging and the motivation is even greater. My passion for football is still there. I've loved football since I was small. I think I always give everything as I'm really passionate about football."
Hilton is carrying on for a further 12 months while Souleymane Camara, a fellow veteran of Montpellier's title success in 2012, is hanging up his boots at the relatively young age of 37.
"I love playing so much"
Hilton said: "I had the coach on the phone and we spoke a bit and then I spoke to sporting director Bruno Carotti. I gave my opinion and expressed my desire to continue. A week later the president sent me a text asking if I could come to the club. We spoke for 20 minutes and then I signed an extension. It's easy, I love playing so much!"