At 43 years, 9 months and 18 days, Vitorino Hilton has announced the end of his exceptional career.
Holder until the end, the Montpellier captain was close to breaking one of the oldest records in the history of French football, held since June 3, 1956 by Roger Courtois.
From Geneva to Montpellier, via Lens, his former partners look back on an incredible career.
This time it's over.
At 43 years, 9 months and 18 days, Vitorino Hilton announced on his Instagram account the end of his professional career of incredible longevity.
On February 7, 2021, he had entered a little more into the legend.
Against Dijon, the Brazilian from the MHSC had become the first foreign player to cross the bar of 500 L1 games.
He finally has 12 more on the clock.
Records, the Brazilian has broken in spades since 2001 and his arrival in Europe.
Jérôme Sonnerat, then a young pro, has a precise memory of their first meeting at Servette in Geneva, Switzerland: “I remember my first ball against him in training.
I ended up in a head-to-head duel and he passed me over, he cushioned his chest, he put the ball down and he thrown cleanly.
I said to myself, there is someone ”.
"I never understood Aulas did not come to look for him"
A player above the lot.
“At the time, Lyon dominated the championship and I always wondered why Aulas had not come to take it, underlines Patrick Barul who played three seasons alongside Hilton in Lens, from 2004 to 2007. I rarely have saw such a strong guy.
Not super tall, not super fast, but so much above the rest.
"
But of all his records, there is one that the now ex-Montpellier captain will never beat.
One of the most historic records of the French championship that he has only familiarized with.
A 65-year-old record held by Roger Courtois since June 3, 1956. That of the oldest scorer in the French first division championship, at 44 years and 4 days.
Hilton will have them on September 17, 2021 ... In Ligue 1, the last goal of the native of Brasilia dates back to February 7, 2017. He will not have the opportunity to go higher.
"His humility has served me as an example throughout my career"
From the height of his 1.80m, Hilton was a "small" central defender compared to the guns in force.
The Brazilian is sure he missed out on an international career due to his size.
However, he has demonstrated throughout his career that he had nothing to envy the big rods by his relaxation, his technique, his science of the game. "He has made enormous progress for the young players around him, Mapou and the others ”, explains Jamel Saihi.
"He arrived in Montpellier in 2011, a week before the start of the championship," resumes the former Tunisian international.
Immediately he integrated.
He was greatly appreciated for his kindness and discretion.
"Jérôme Sonnerat, today in Lucciana, confirms this:" What was striking was his humility, his kindness.
He has served me as an example throughout my career.
"
" There is no secret.
To still play in L1 at 43, you need an excellent lifestyle, a good mentality and good genes, ”smiles Jamel Saihi.
The story is now over.
Like his friend in central defense, the young Daniel Congré (36), Vito was not extended to the MHSC.
He had given himself a few days to study the club's reclassification proposal in a role still to be defined.
Like his friend Souleymane Camara before him, he will now tour the club for a year before imagining his future.
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