Andoni Zubizarreta
Encyclopedia
Andoni Zubizarreta Urreta (born 23 October 1961) is a retired Spanish
footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
The all-time most capped
player for the Spanish national team
for several years, he played with individual and team success for Athletic Bilbao
and FC Barcelona
(eight years with the latter, he would later work with the club in directorial capacities), appearing in more than 950 official professional matches during his club career.
Zubizarreta represented Spain in seven major international tournaments, four World Cups
and three European Championships
, starting in six of those.
, Zubizarreta spent his childhood in Aretxabaleta
in Gipuzkoa, where he began his football trade. After a brief passage at another Basque
side, Deportivo Alavés
, he joined Athletic Bilbao
, where he would spend the following six seasons.
Zubizarreta's debut in La Liga
occurred on 19 September 1981, in a 0–2 away loss against Atlético Madrid, courtesy of manager Javier Clemente
, one month shy of his 20th birthday; he would be an undisputed starter for the remainder of his tenure, being an instrumental element in the club's conquests, most notably the back-to-back leagues.
In 1986, Zubizarreta signed with FC Barcelona
for a then record for a player in the position, €
1.7 million, quickly removing established Urruti
from the starting post and rarely missing a match onwards – for example, only four in the Catalan
's four consecutive league wins combined. He added the club's first ever European Cup
in 1992, a 1–0 triumph against U.C. Sampdoria
.
After the 1993–94 UEFA Champions League, where Barça lost heavily to A.C. Milan
in the final (0–4), Zubi was deemed surplus to requirements and finished his career at Valencia CF
, again at a high level. He retired after 1997–98 at nearly 37, having played in more than 950 official games (622 in the league alone – all-time best – conceding 626 goals).
On 2 July 2010, Zubizarreta was named Barcelona's director of football
by incumbent president Sandro Rosell
, taking over from former club and national teammate Txiki Begiristain. In the previous decade, he had served in the same capacity at Athletic Bilbao, also working as a radio and television commentator.
on 23 January 1985, in a 3–1 friendly
victory over Finland
, going on to collect a further 125 caps
in the following 13 years.
He represented the nation in four consecutive FIFA World Cup
s: 1986
, 1990
, 1994
and 1998
– his last competition, where he scored an own goal
in a 2–3 group stage loss against Nigeria
– also appearing, always as a starter, at UEFA Euro 1988 and 1996. Zubizarreta and his deputy Paco Buyo
once held the national team record for the longest unbeaten run in international games, until Iker Casillas
and Pepe Reina broke that record in October 2008; he was also surpassed by the former in total of caps on 15 November 2011.
Barcelona
|1985||6||0
|-
|1986||12||0
|-
|1987||7||0
|-
|1988||13||0
|-
|1989||8||0
|-
|1990||11||0
|-
|1991||8||0
|-
|1992||9||0
|-
|1993||9||0
|-
|1994||13||0
|-
|1995||9||0
|-
|1996||10||0
|-
|1997||6||0
|-
|1998||5||0
|-
!Total||126||0
|}
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 goalkeeper.
The all-time most capped
Cap (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...
player for the Spanish national team
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...
for several years, he played with individual and team success for Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
and FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
(eight years with the latter, he would later work with the club in directorial capacities), appearing in more than 950 official professional matches during his club career.
Zubizarreta represented Spain in seven major international tournaments, four World Cups
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
and three European Championships
UEFA European Football Championship
The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
, starting in six of those.
Club career
Born in Vitoria-Gasteiz, ÁlavaÁlava
Álava is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Álava. Its capital city is Vitoria-Gasteiz which is also the capital of the autonomous community...
, Zubizarreta spent his childhood in Aretxabaleta
Aretxabaleta
Aretxabaleta is a town in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the Autonomous Community of Basque Country, northern Spain.It is located on the Vitoria-Bergara road, almost adjacent to its larger northern neighbor, the city of Mondragón-Arrasate, and the smaller Eskoriatza to the south.-The place name:In...
in Gipuzkoa, where he began his football trade. After a brief passage at another Basque
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
side, Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D., usually abbreviated to Alavés, is a Spanish football club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1921, it plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at the 19,500-seater Estadio Mendizorrotza....
, he joined Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
, where he would spend the following six seasons.
Zubizarreta's debut in 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...
occurred on 19 September 1981, in a 0–2 away loss against Atlético Madrid, courtesy of manager Javier Clemente
Javier Clemente
Javier Clemente Lázaro, is a Spanish football manager. The veteran La Liga manager has spent most of his career at two clubs: Athletic Bilbao and RCD Espanyol. Between 1992 and 1998, he managed Spain and went 31 games unbeaten. He was also the the first foreign manager of Serbia. His most recent...
, one month shy of his 20th birthday; he would be an undisputed starter for the remainder of his tenure, being an instrumental element in the club's conquests, most notably the back-to-back leagues.
In 1986, Zubizarreta signed with FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
for a then record for a player in the position, €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
1.7 million, quickly removing established Urruti
Javier Urruticoechea
Francisco Javier González Urruticoechea , aka Urruti, was a Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper....
from the starting post and rarely missing a match onwards – for example, only four in the Catalan
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
's four consecutive league wins combined. He added the club's first ever European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
in 1992, a 1–0 triumph against U.C. Sampdoria
U.C. Sampdoria
Unione Calcio Sampdoria is an Italian association football club based in Genoa. The club was formed in 1946 from the merger of two existing sports clubs whose roots can be traced back to the 1890s, Sampierdarenese and Andrea Doria...
.
After the 1993–94 UEFA Champions League, where Barça lost heavily to A.C. Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
in the final (0–4), Zubi was deemed surplus to requirements and finished his career 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...
, again at a high level. He retired after 1997–98 at nearly 37, having played in more than 950 official games (622 in the league alone – all-time best – conceding 626 goals).
On 2 July 2010, Zubizarreta was named Barcelona's director of football
Director of football
"Director of football" is a term describing a senior management figure at a football club, most commonly used in Europe. The exact nature of the role is often unclear and extremely variable and causes much debate in the sports media...
by incumbent president Sandro Rosell
Sandro Rosell
Alexandre Rosell i Feliu , commonly known as Sandro Rosell, is the current president of FC Barcelona. With an MBA degree from ESADE, Rosell is known for being the running mate and senior adviser of Joan Laporta during the presidential elections at FC Barcelona in 2003...
, taking over from former club and national teammate Txiki Begiristain. In the previous decade, he had served in the same capacity at Athletic Bilbao, also working as a radio and television commentator.
International career
Zubizarreta made his debut for SpainSpain 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...
on 23 January 1985, in a 3–1 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...
victory over Finland
Finland national football team
The Finland national football team represents Finland in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Association of Finland....
, going on to collect a further 125 caps
Cap (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...
in the following 13 years.
He represented the nation in four consecutive FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
s: 1986
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
, 1990
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
, 1994
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
and 1998
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
– his last competition, where he scored an own goal
Own goal
An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents....
in a 2–3 group stage loss against Nigeria
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
– also appearing, always as a starter, at UEFA Euro 1988 and 1996. Zubizarreta and his deputy Paco Buyo
Francisco Buyo
Francisco 'Paco' Buyo Sánchez is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper.Best known for his Sevilla and Real Madrid spells, he appeared in 542 La Liga matches, third all-time highest, winning 12 major titles with the latter club.A Spanish international during roughly one decade,...
once held the national team record for the longest unbeaten run in international games, until Iker Casillas
Íker Casillas
Iker Casillas Fernández is a Spanish football goalkeeper who plays for the Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, being the captain of both...
and Pepe Reina broke that record in October 2008; he was also surpassed by the former in total of caps on 15 November 2011.
Club
Athletic Bilbao- 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...
: 1982–83, 1983–84 - 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 ....
: 1983–84 - Spanish SupercupSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
: 1984Supercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
Barcelona
- UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
: 1991–921992 European Cup FinalThe 1992 European Cup Final was a football match held on 20 May 1992 at Wembley Stadium, London, between FC Barcelona of Spain and U.C. Sampdoria of Italy. Barcelona won the game 1–0, thanks to a Ronald Koeman free-kick, to record their first triumph in the competition. This was the last tournament... - UEFA Cup Winners' CupUEFA Cup Winners' CupThe UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
: 1988–89 - UEFA Super Cup: 1992
- 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...
: 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94 - 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 ....
: 1987–88, 1989–90 - Spanish SupercupSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
: 19911991 Supercopa de EspañaThe 1991 Supercopa de España was two-leg Spanish football matches played on 28 October and 11 November 1991. It contested by Atlético Madrid, who were Spanish Cup winners in 1990–91, and FC Barcelona, who won the 1990–91 Spanish League. FC Barcelona won 2–1 on aggregate.-First leg:-Second...
, 19921992 Supercopa de EspañaThe 1992 Supercopa de España was two-leg Spanish football matches played on 28 October and 11 November 1992. It contested by Atlético Madrid, who were Spanish Cup winners in 1991–92, and FC Barcelona, who won the 1991–92 Spanish League. FC Barcelona won 5–2 on aggregate.-First leg:-Second...
Individual
- Don Balón AwardDon Balón AwardFrom 1976 until 2010, the Spanish magazine Don Balón confered the Don Balón Award to the best Spanish player, the best foreign player, the best referee, and the breakthrough player in La Liga...
– Spanish Player of the Year: 1987 - Zamora TrophyRicardo Zamora TrophyThe Ricardo Zamora Trophy is a football award, established by Spanish newspaper MARCA in 1958. The award goes to the goalkeeper who has the lowest "goals-to-games" ratio. It is named after legendary Spanish goalkeeper Ricardo Zamora....
: 1986–87
Club
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... |
Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Athletic Bilbao Athletic Bilbao Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions... |
1981–82 | 34 | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||||||
| 45 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 1982–83 | 34 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 48 | 0 | |
| 1983–84 | 34 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 49 | 0 | |
| 1984–85 | 33 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 51 | 0 | |
| 1985–86 | 34 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 0 | |
| Total | 169 | 0 | 46 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 239 | 0 | |
| Barcelona FC Barcelona Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.... |
1986–87 | 44 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||||
| 54 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 1987–88 | 38 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |||||
| 55 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 1988–89 | 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 49 | 0 | |
| 1989–90 | 35 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |||||
| 48 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 1990–91 | 38 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 54 | 0 | |
| 1991–92 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 51 | 0 | |
| 1992–93 | 38 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 53 | 0 | |
| 1993–94 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 0 | |
| Total | 301 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 68 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 410 | 0 | |
| Valencia 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... |
1994–95 | 38 | 0 | 10 | 0 | ||||||
| 48 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 1995–96 | 39 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |||||||
| 47 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 1996–97 | 41 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |||||
| 49 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 1997–98 | 34 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |||||||
| 40 | 0 | ||||||||||
| Total | 152 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 184 | 0 | |
| Career totals | 622 | 0 | 104 | 0 | 88 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 833 | 0 | |
International
|-|1985||6||0
|-
|1986||12||0
|-
|1987||7||0
|-
|1988||13||0
|-
|1989||8||0
|-
|1990||11||0
|-
|1991||8||0
|-
|1992||9||0
|-
|1993||9||0
|-
|1994||13||0
|-
|1995||9||0
|-
|1996||10||0
|-
|1997||6||0
|-
|1998||5||0
|-
!Total||126||0
|}
External links
- BDFutbol profile
- Athletic Bilbao profile
- Valencia CF profile
- National team data
- International appearances; at RSSSFRec.Sport.Soccer Statistics FoundationThe Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation is an international amateur organization dedicated to collecting statistics about association football...