Age 35, Jose Fonte has qualified for the Champions League for the very first time in his career

Portugal international Jose Fonte has had a season to remember. 

Having returned to European football after a brief spell in China, you'd have been forgiven for thinking that Jose Fonte's footballing career was winding to a close and he'd played his last ever game for the Portugal national team. 

Having joined a French outfit that finished just one point and one place above the relegation zone last season, the season that he and Lille have had is difficult to truly believe.

Becoming captain of the team part way through the season because of his excellent leadership on and off the field, Fonte has been instrumental in his side obtaining 2nd place in the league, organising a strong defence and playing in all but two Ligue 1 matches all campaign.

In total, he has helped Lille keep 15 clean sheets this season, an extraordinary return when you think they were on the brink of relegation last season.

With it, Lille are now officially 2nd place in the league, unable to be caught by Lyon in 3rd, and Fonte, at the age of 35, is set to play in the Champions League for the first time in his career.

It came after a 5-0 demolition job over Angers on the penultimate day of the season. 

Jose Fonte. Photo author: Анна Нэсси. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en