MX23RW : Tuesday, January 29 18:07:38

Brighton captain Bruno aims to emulate Sir Stanley Matthews

Brighton captain Bruno aims to emulate Sir Stanley Matthews
© Reuters
Matthews was 38 when Blackpool lifted the FA Cup at Wembley in 1953.

Brighton captain Bruno dreams of emulating the great Sir Stanley Matthews by capping his career with an FA Cup final appearance at the age of 38.

The Spanish right-back, who is out of contract in the summer and considering retirement, can help the Seagulls take a step closer to Wembley when they host West Brom in the fourth round on Saturday.

Former England winger Matthews was 38 when he memorably led Blackpool to cup glory in 1953, a match dubbed the 'Matthews Final'.

"That's a signal, maybe," joked Bruno, when asked about the Matthews connection.

"I cannot think of anything better, of course.

"When you are young, you dream to play in the best leagues and as you get older you keep dreaming to achieve big things, and why not?

"That would be unbelievable. Can you imagine?

"The older you get, you know you are closer to the end and I'm trying to enjoy every moment.

"I know it could be my last season. I will take the decision, not now, maybe in a couple of months."

Bruno, who joined the Seagulls in 2012, captained the club to the top-flight in 2017 for the first time since 1983.

He feels an FA Cup win would create a similar buzz around the city as that promotion, in addition to converting more of the region's football fans into Brighton supporters.

"I think it would do as the Premier League did when we got promoted," he said of a potential cup triumph.

"I just love seeing now all the kids with Brighton shirts – when I came it was like Arsenal, Man United, Chelsea and now you can just see Brighton shirts.

"Maybe it would help even more than that, to help find more children with Brighton shirts."

The weekend cup tie could see former Valencia defender Bruno come up against fellow veteran Gareth Barry, a player he has great respect for.

Ex-England midfielder Barry, who is a doubt for the game due to a knock, is just over four months younger than the Spaniard.

"He had an unbelievable career and (continuing to play) shows how he loves the game," Bruno said of 37-year-old Baggies player.

"I know what it takes to keep performing well at our age, it takes a lot from behind the scenes.

"No-one can see how much you have to rest, what you have to eat, all that of stuff. And I have so much respect for all of those players."


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Brighton manager Chris Hughton pictured on December 29, 2018
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool23193154134160
2Manchester CityMan City23182362174556
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs23170648232551
4Chelsea23145440192147
5Arsenal23135548321644
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd23135546331344
7Watford239683232033
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves239592731-432
9Leicester CityLeicester2394102929031
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham2394103034-431
11Everton238693433130
12Bournemouth2393113342-930
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2375112532-726
14Crystal Palace2364132332-922
15Southampton2357112540-1522
16Burnley2364132343-2022
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2356121931-1221
18Cardiff CityCardiff2354141944-2519
19Fulham2335152151-3014
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2325161340-2711

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