Against Lille on Sunday, Walter Benitez made his 100th Ligue 1 appearance with OGC Nice. Having joined the Gym in 2016, the goalkeeper already joined the "hundred club" in March, after making his 100th appearance in the Rouge et Noir shirt in all competitions.

He's the 86th Aiglon in the 116-year history of the club to have worn the Gym colours 100 times or more in the top division of French football.

On December 21 2016, the former Quilmes player made his debut in L1. Replacing the injured Yoan Cardinale on the hour, the Argentinian kept his first clean sheet in Rouge et Noir. Almost 4 years later, the goalkeeper took his league appearances to 100 (115 in all competitions) when Lille came to the Allianz Riviera (1-1).

Over the last 15 seasons, he's got the third-best shots saved percentage of any Gym goalkeeper (74.2%, behind Lionel Letizi on 80.8% and Hugo Lloris on 77.6%).

Behind Francis Isnard and his record of 334 appearances in D1, Walter Benitez has joined the likes of Joé Cobos by making 100 top division appearances for the Gym.

On March 7, the last line of defence was honoured, in the company of Dante, Malang Sarr, Wylan Cyprien and Pierre Lees-Melou, at the Nice-Monaco match (2-1). The 5 Aiglons joined the "hundred club" that rewards all those having worn the shirt 100 times in all competitions.

Another Aiglon is closing in 100 L1 appearances with Nice. With 98 top division appearances for the Gym, Pierre Lees-Melou will reach the total on November 8 in the derby against Monaco (17:00 CET), if he also takes part in the trip to Angers on Sunday November 1 (15:00 CET).

M.S.

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