Adrián Escudero
Encyclopedia
Adrián Escudero García (24 November 1927 7 March 2011) was a Spanish
footballer who played as a striker.
He was the all-time leading goalscorer for Atlético Madrid with 170 goals, having appeared for the club in 13 La Liga
seasons, and more than 350 official games.
with ten games and two goals, but netted in double digits in eight of the following ten seasons, most notably contributing with 28 goals combined as the Colchoneros won back-to-back national championships, in the early 1950s.
On 8 March 1953, Escudero scored Atlético's 1000th goal in the top division, in a 2–3 away loss against Celta de Vigo
, through a penalty kick
. At the end of 1957–58, he did not have his contract renewed and decided to retire from football, aged only 30. He scored 170 league goals in 287 matches with his only professional club, a best-ever.
Escudero continued working with Atlético de Madrid in the following years, first as youth team coach, then as assistant manager. After the sacking of Rafael García Repullo (his former teammate) early into the 1963–64 season, he was an interim for one round, a 1–2 loss at Valencia CF
on 29 December 1963.
Escudero died on 7 March 2011 in his hometown of Madrid
, at the age of 83.
for Spain
in three 1/2 years, his debut coming on 7 December 1952 in a friendly
with Argentina
, played in Madrid (0–1 loss).
In his only official appearance, on 17 March 1954, he scored against Turkey
for the 1954 FIFA World Cup
qualifiers
. The third playoff match ended 2–2 in Rome
, and the Spaniards were eliminated after a drawing of lots.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer who played as a striker.
He was the all-time leading goalscorer for Atlético Madrid with 170 goals, having appeared for the club in 13 La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
seasons, and more than 350 official games.
Club career
Escudero arrived at Atlético Madrid in late 1945, from local amateurs Club Deportivo Mediodía. He ended his first season in La LigaLa Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
with ten games and two goals, but netted in double digits in eight of the following ten seasons, most notably contributing with 28 goals combined as the Colchoneros won back-to-back national championships, in the early 1950s.
On 8 March 1953, Escudero scored Atlético's 1000th goal in the top division, in a 2–3 away loss against Celta de Vigo
Celta de Vigo
Real Club Celta de Vigo , simply referred to as Celta Vigo, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Segunda División. It was founded on March 28, 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club.Nicknamed Los Celestes ,...
, through a penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
. At the end of 1957–58, he did not have his contract renewed and decided to retire from football, aged only 30. He scored 170 league goals in 287 matches with his only professional club, a best-ever.
Escudero continued working with Atlético de Madrid in the following years, first as youth team coach, then as assistant manager. After the sacking of Rafael García Repullo (his former teammate) early into the 1963–64 season, he was an interim for one round, a 1–2 loss at Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
on 29 December 1963.
Escudero died on 7 March 2011 in his hometown of Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, at the age of 83.
International career
Escudero gained three capsCap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
in three 1/2 years, his debut coming on 7 December 1952 in a friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
with Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
, played in Madrid (0–1 loss).
In his only official appearance, on 17 March 1954, he scored against Turkey
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
for the 1954 FIFA World Cup
1954 FIFA World Cup
The 1954 FIFA World Cup, the fifth staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Switzerland from 16 June to 4 July. Switzerland was chosen as hosts in July 1946. The tournament set a number of all-time records for goal-scoring, including the highest average goals scored per game...
qualifiers
1954 FIFA World Cup qualification
A total of 45 teams entered the 1954 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, competing for a total of 16 spots in the final tournament. , as the hosts, and , as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 14 spots open for competition....
. The third playoff match ended 2–2 in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, and the Spaniards were eliminated after a drawing of lots.
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 17 March 1954 | Stadio Olimpico Stadio Olimpico The Stadio Olimpico is the main and largest sports facility of Rome, Italy. It is located within the Foro Italico sports complex on the north of the city. An asset of the Italian National Olympic Committee, the structure is intended primarily for football... , Roma Rome Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half... , Italy Italy Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and... |
2–2 | 2–2 | 1954 World Cup qualification |
Honours
Atlético Madrid- Spanish LeagueLa LigaThe Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
: 1949–50, 1950–51 - Eva Duarte CupCopa Eva DuarteThe Copa Eva Duarte was a Spanish football tournament organized by the RFEF and contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Generalísimo. In 1940, it had the name of Copa de Campeones, and was not played again until 1945, when the ambassador of Argentina, due to the good relations with the...
: 1951 - Spanish CupCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: Runner-up 1955–56