Football’s ultimate journeyman explains his motivation after playing for record-breaking 26 clubs

By Kristen Stephenson
Published

Football's ultimate journeyman has been recognised for his globetrotting career which has seen him play for more professional clubs than anyone else.

Former Uruguay international Sebastian Abreu joined his 26th club in December 2017 and now has a Guinness World Records certificate for the Most professional football (soccer) teams played for by an individual.

He has achieved this feat after joining Audax Club Sportivo Italiano in Chile – the latest club of his impressive roster.

Sebastian Abreu with his certificate and a shirt from every club he's played for

El Loco, as he is commonly referred to by fans, has played in a total of 11 countries between 1995 and 2018:

  1. Defensor (Uruguay), 1995–1996
  2. San Lorenzo (Argentina), 1996-1998 and 2000-2001 (loan)
  3. Deportivo La Coruna (Spain), 1998-2004
  4. Gremio (Brazil), 1998 (loan)
  5. Estudiantes Tecos (Mexico), 1999-2000 (loan) and 2004 (loan)
  6. Club Nacional (Uruguay), 2001 (loan), 2004-2005, 2013-2015
  7. Cruz Azul (Mexico), 2002-2003 (loan)
  8. America (Mexico), 2003 (loan)
  9. Dorados de Sinaloa (Mexico), 2005-2006
  10. Monterrey (Mexico), 2006
  11. San Luis (Mexico), 2007
  12. Tigres UANL (Mexico), 2007
  13. River Plate (Argentina), 2008 (loan) and 2008-2009
  14. Beitar Jerusalem (Israel), 2008
  15. Real Sociedad (Spain), 2009 (loan)
  16. Aris Thessaloniki (Greece), 2009-2010
  17. Botafogo Rio De Janeiro (Brazil), 2010-2012
  18. Figueirense (Brazil), 2012 (loan)
  19. Rosario Central (Argentina), 2013-2014 (loan)
  20. SD Aucas (Ecuador), 2015 (loan)
  21. Sol de America (Paraguay), 2016
  22. Santa Tecla (El Salvador), 2016
  23. Bangu Atletico Clube (Brazil), 2017
  24. Central Espanol (Uruguay), 2017
  25. Puerto Montt (Chile), 2017
  26. Audax Club Sportivo Italiano (Chile), 2018

Abreu was formally presented with his certificate by his current club, Audax Club Sportivo Italiano

Sebastian attributes his various moves around the globe to his quest for opportunity, and the need he felt to develop his skills further as a football player.

"Perseverance is everything. Set goals for yourself. No one can take your dreams away but you are the only one who can make them happen."

Over the course of 23-year career the 41-year-old has also made 70 international appearances for Uruguay including at three Copa America tournaments and two World Cups (Japan/South Korea 2002 and South Africa 2010).

He said his proudest moment was winning the Copa America with Uruguay in 1995 as it was a time he saw the whole nation come together.

As a child, El Loco remembers reading the Guinness World Records books and discovering new facts about the world, and is now honoured to be a part of that antiquity.

Abreu playing for Uruguay. Photo by Alamy

"Honestly I was never trying to break a Guinness World Records title but the record has made me very happy. The fact that a Uruguayan from the town of Minas can become the only player in the history of football to do this is something that makes me proud. I’ve really enjoyed all of the positive attention this record has brought."

Abreu's club, Audax Club Sportivo Italiano, formally presented the veteran striker with his certificate before their Copa Sudamericana clash with Botafogo RJ on Thursday 12 April.

His achievement has also been recoginsed by FIFA who congratulated Abreu on Twitter days after being presented with his certificate.