The record-breaking career of the footballer who’s played for 26 clubs - in 11 countries

The Christmas and New Year period saw a flurry of new records set in the world of football showcasing both ability and longevity in 'the beautiful game'.

While the goalscoring exploits of Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane and the seemingly unbeatable Manchester City stole most of the headlines, it's the man who has played for more professional clubs than any other footballer who we're focusing on at the start of 2018.

Most professional football (soccer) teams played for by an individual

The term 'journeyman' is often used in football when a player ends up moving from club to a club on a seemingly constant basis.

However nobody can fit this description as well as Uruguayan, Sebastian Abreu, who signed for yet another club over the festive period.

The 41-year-old striker has joined Chilean side Audax Club Sportivo Italiano, the 26th club in a 23-year professional career which has seen him play for sides in 11 countries ranging from Spain and Israel to Argentina and El Salvador.

Here are the 26 clubs he's played for:

1. Defensor (Uruguay), 1995–1996
2. San Lorenzo (Argentina), 1996-1998 and 2000-2001 (loan)
3. Deportivo La Coruna (Spain), 1998-2004
4. Gremio (Brazil), 1998 (loan)
5. Estudiantes Tecos (Mexico), 1999-2000 (loan) and 2004 (loan)
6. Club Nacional (Uruguay), 2001 (loan), 2004-2005, 2013-2015
7. Cruz Azul (Mexico), 2002-2003 (loan)
8. America (Mexico), 2003 (loan)
9. Dorados de Sinaloa (Mexico), 2005-2006
10. Monterrey (Mexico), 2006
11. San Luis (Mexico), 2007
12. Tigres UANL (Mexico), 2007
13. River Plate (Argentina), 2008 (loan) and 2008-2009
14. Beitar Jerusalem (Israel), 2008
15. Real Sociedad (Spain), 2009 (loan)
16. Aris Thessaloniki (Greece), 2009-2010
17. Botafogo Rio De Janeiro (Brazil), 2010-2012
18. Figueirense (Brazil), 2012 (loan)
19. Rosario Central (Argentina), 2013-2014 (loan)
20. SD Aucas (Ecuador), 2015 (loan)
21. Sol de America (Paraguay), 2016
22. Santa Tecla (El Salvador), 2016
23. Bangu Atletico Clube (Brazil), 2017
24. Central Espanol (Uruguay), 2017
25. Puerto Montt (Chile), 2017
26. Audax Club Sportivo Italiano (Chile), 2018

He's also represented Uruguay 70 times at international level, including at the 2002 and 2010 FIFA World Cups in Japan/South Korea and South Africa respectively.

But not to be forgotten, here's a round-up of some of the other football records which were set over the festive period.

Most Premier League goals scored in a calendar year by an individual

Tottenham and England striker Harry Kane had a fantastic 2017 and ended it by beating Alan Shearer's 21-year record.

The 24-year-old went into Spur's final match of the year against Southampton and Wembley equal with the former England forward on 36 goals but it didn't take him long to surpass that when he scored his 37th Premier League goal of 2017 in the 22nd minute.

Two more in the same match meant he ended the year with 39 league goals, a new record.

Most Premier League hat-tricks scored in a calendar year by an individual

Kane's treble against Southampton also helped him eclipse Shearer's other record which dated back to 1995 and his days at Blackburn Rovers.

Going into the final matches of 2017, it looked as if Shearer's record of five Premier League hat-tricks in a calendar year was safe.

But in Tottenham's final two league matches of the season, away at Burnley and at home to Southampton, Kane netted three times on both occasions to end the year with six Premier League hat-tricks.

Most consecutive wins by a team in the top division of English football (soccer)

Manchester City are running away with the 2017-18 Premier League, and it's thanks to their record-breaking winning streak.

From 26 August-27 December, Pep Guardiola's side won 18 consecutive league matches.

The run came to an end when they drew 0-0 away at Crystal Palace which was only the second time they failed to win in the league in their first 19 games of the season (the other being a 1-1 draw with Everton in August) in which they amassed 59 of a possible 63 points.

Most English Premier League football (soccer) matches managed by a mananger

Arsene Wenger has been in charge of Arsenal now for more than 21 years and on 28 December 2017 he set a new record of managing a team in the Premier League for the 811th match, beating the record of his former rival, Sir Alex Ferguson.

However it wasn't the dream result he was looking for with his side held to a 1-1 draw away at West Bromwich Albion. 

The Frenchman's record-breaking fixture came 7,751 days after his first league match in charge of Arsenal which ended in a 2-0 win against Blackburn Rovers.

During his time as manager Wenger has led Arsenal to 468 Premier League wins, drawn 198 times and lost just 145 games giving a win percentage of 57.70%.