Oscar "Conejo" Pérez expresses his excitement for the Club World Cup

He is 44 years old, he is close to retirement but still dreams about the Club World Cup. The veteran and experienced goalkeeper from Pachuca, Mexico, Óscar "Conejo" Pérez, expressed his excitement about making his debut in the FIFA tournament, despite the fact that he is nearing the end of his football career.

Pachuca's "Tuzos" will start their participation in the tournament that takes place in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, against Wydad Athletic from Morocco.

"I am excited and thrilled to be able to participate in a Club World Cup. I had not had the fortune to be in one before and today I have that possibility. I will try to enjoy it and give my best", said the 44-year-old goalkeeper in an interview with FIFA's website published on Thursday.

"It is an honor to be able, despite all the time I have been playing, to face a competition like this. It is one of the most important things in my career", he added.

The goalkeeper, who participated with the Mexican national team in the 1998 France World Cup, the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, and the 2010 South Africa World Cup, still doubts about the date of his retirement even though he said six months ago that he would say goodbye to the field at the end of the Club World Cup.

"The end of my career is near, but I take it day by day. Six months ago I said I would probably leave after the Club World Cup, but it arrives and you realize that you can still compete and that you have a good level of performance. All that motivates me to move forward", he added.

Pérez would become the player with the most years playing in the Club World Cup, surpassing Colombian goalkeeper Miguel Calero who played the tournament with Pachuca in 2010 when he was 39 years old.