Benjamín Zarandona
Encyclopedia
Benjamín Zarandona Esono (born 2 March 1976 in Valladolid
, Castile and León
, Spain
), simply Benjamín, is an Equatoguinean
footballer who plays for CD Íscar
in Tercera División
, as a midfielder
.
He can either play in the left or middle, and spent most of his professional career in Spain, notably with Betis
, where he remained nine years, winning one Copa del Rey
and appearing in more than 200 official matches.
, playing initially for the reserve team
in Segunda División B
. His first team debut took place on 2 April 1995, in a 0–3 loss at Real Sociedad
, and he would make a further nine top flight
appearances during that season.
The highlight of his career at Valladolid was helping the Castile and León
side qualify for the 1997–98 UEFA Cup as seventh in the league, with home braces against CD Logroñés
(2–1) and Valencia CF
(4–1).
In 1998, Benjamín joined Real Betis
, playing in 28 matches in his debut season and making four appearances in the club's UEFA Cup run, scoring twice. Additionally, he spent 2000–01 helping the Andalusia
ns achieve promotion from the second level
, alongside neighbours Sevilla FC
.
After appearing in 26 league contests in 2004–05
, as Betis achieved UEFA Champions League
qualification honours and lifted the season's domestic cup
, Benjamín went on loan to Cádiz CF
for 2005–06
, and his role with Betis would gradually lose importance onwards: he was unregistered as a first-team player for over a year, and a mutual termination of his contract was agreed in the summer of 2007.
In 2007–08, Benjamín joined second division side Xerez CD
, but lasted only a few months, being released. In September 2008, he signed with CF Palencia
, in the fourth level
.
win the 1998 European Championship.
However, in 2004, he switched allegiances and, as his younger brother Iván
, whom also played for Valladolid, opted to represent Equatorial Guinea
.
Spain U21
and his mother is from Equatorial Guinea
. Despite his Basque parentage, he was never approached by Athletic Bilbao
, nor did he play for Euskadi
.
Valladolid
Valladolid is a historic city and municipality in north-central Spain, situated at the confluence of the Pisuerga and Esgueva rivers, and located within three wine-making regions: Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Cigales...
, Castile and León
Castile and León
Castile and León is an autonomous community in north-western Spain. It was so constituted in 1983 and it comprises the historical regions of León and Old Castile...
, Spain
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...
), simply Benjamín, is an Equatoguinean
Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea, officially the Republic of Equatorial Guinea where the capital Malabo is situated.Annobón is the southernmost island of Equatorial Guinea and is situated just south of the equator. Bioko island is the northernmost point of Equatorial Guinea. Between the two islands and to the...
footballer who plays for CD Íscar
CD Íscar
Club Deportivo Íscar is a football team based in Íscar in the autonomous community of Castile and León. Founded in 1968, it plays in the Tercera División - Group 8. Its stadium is Estadio Municipal San Miguel with a capacity of 2,000 seats....
in Tercera División
Tercera División
Tercera División is the fourth level of the Spanish football league system. The top three are the Primera División, often referred to as "La Liga" in English, the Segunda División, and Segunda División B.-Current Format:...
, as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
He can either play in the left or middle, and spent most of his professional career in Spain, notably with Betis
Real Betis
Real Betis Balompié S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 12 September 1907, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio Benito Villamarín....
, where he remained nine years, winning one Copa del Rey
Copa del Rey
The 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 ....
and appearing in more than 200 official matches.
Club career
Benjamín began his career with Real ValladolidReal Valladolid
Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, from where the nickname Pucela is derived....
, playing initially for the reserve team
Real Valladolid B
Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol B, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León. Founded in 1942, it is the reserve team of Real Valladolid and currently plays in Tercera División, holding home games at Anexos de Zorrilla, which seats 1,500...
in Segunda División B
Segunda División B
Segunda División B is the third level of the Spanish football league system. It is administered by the RFEF. The top two levels are La Liga, also referred to as the Primera División, and the Segunda División. Immediately below Segunda División B is the Tercera Division...
. His first team debut took place on 2 April 1995, in a 0–3 loss at Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
, and he would make a further nine top flight
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...
appearances during that season.
The highlight of his career at Valladolid was helping the Castile and León
Castile and León
Castile and León is an autonomous community in north-western Spain. It was so constituted in 1983 and it comprises the historical regions of León and Old Castile...
side qualify for the 1997–98 UEFA Cup as seventh in the league, with home braces against CD Logroñés
CD Logroñés
Club Deportivo Logroñés, S.A.D. was a Spanish football team based in Logroño, in the autonomous community of La Rioja. Founded in 1940, it last played in Regional Preferente de La Rioja....
(2–1) and 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...
(4–1).
In 1998, Benjamín joined Real Betis
Real Betis
Real Betis Balompié S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 12 September 1907, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio Benito Villamarín....
, playing in 28 matches in his debut season and making four appearances in the club's UEFA Cup run, scoring twice. Additionally, he spent 2000–01 helping the Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
ns achieve promotion from the second level
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
, alongside neighbours Sevilla FC
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
.
After appearing in 26 league contests in 2004–05
2004–05 La Liga
2004–05 season was composed of the following clubs:* Albacete Balompié* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Real Betis* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Levante UD* Málaga CF* Real Mallorca* CD Numancia* CA Osasuna...
, as Betis achieved UEFA Champions League
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...
qualification honours and lifted the season's domestic cup
Copa del Rey
The 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 ....
, Benjamín went on loan to Cádiz CF
Cádiz CF
Cádiz Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Cádiz, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1910, it currently plays in Segunda División B - Group 4, holding home games at Estadio Ramón de Carranza, with a 22,000-seat capacity.Salvadoran legend Mágico González, who...
for 2005–06
2005–06 La Liga
* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Betis* Cádiz CF* Celta de Vigo* Deportivo Alaves* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Málaga CF* RCD Mallorca* CA Osasuna* Racing de Santander* Real Madrid* Real Sociedad* Sevilla FC...
, and his role with Betis would gradually lose importance onwards: he was unregistered as a first-team player for over a year, and a mutual termination of his contract was agreed in the summer of 2007.
In 2007–08, Benjamín joined second division side Xerez CD
Xerez CD
Xerez Club Deportivo, S.A.D., usually just Xerez, is a Spanish football team based in Jerez de la Frontera, Province of Cádiz, in the autonomous community of Andalusia...
, but lasted only a few months, being released. In September 2008, he signed with CF Palencia
CF Palencia
Club de Fútbol Palencia is a Spanish football team based in Palencia, in the autonomous community of Castile and León. Founded in 1975, it plays in Segunda División B - Group 2, holding home games at Estadio La Nueva Balastera, with a capacity of 12,500 spectators.-History:Palencia has had many...
, in the fourth level
Tercera División
Tercera División is the fourth level of the Spanish football league system. The top three are the Primera División, often referred to as "La Liga" in English, the Segunda División, and Segunda División B.-Current Format:...
.
International career
In 1998, Benjamín helped Spain U21sSpain national under-21 football team
The Spain national under-21 football team, is the national under-21 football team of Spain and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. The team, nicknamed La Rojita , competes in the biannual European Under-21 Football Championship.Following the realignment of UEFA's youth...
win the 1998 European Championship.
However, in 2004, he switched allegiances and, as his younger brother Iván
Iván Zarandona
Iván Zarandona Esono is a Spanish-born Equatoguinean footballer who plays for CD Lugo in Segunda División B...
, whom also played for Valladolid, opted to represent Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea national football team
The Equatorial Guinea national football team, nicknamed Nzalang Nacional, is the national team of Equatorial Guinea and is controlled by the Federación Ecuatoguineana de Fútbol. It is a member of CAF...
.
Honours
Betis- 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 ....
: 2004–05
Spain U21
- European Under-21 ChampionshipUEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe European Under-21 Football Championship is a football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. It is held every two years. The competition has existed in its current form since 1978. It was preceded by the Under 23 Challenge Cup which ran from 1967 to 1970...
: 19981998 UEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe UEFA U-21 Championship 1998, which spanned two years , had 46 entrants. Before the quarter-finals stage, Romania were chosen as the hosts of the final stages, consisting of four matches in total....
Personal
Benjamín's father is BasqueBasque people
The Basques as an ethnic group, primarily inhabit an area traditionally known as the Basque Country , a region that is located around the western end of the Pyrenees on the coast of the Bay of Biscay and straddles parts of north-central Spain and south-western France.The Basques are known in the...
and his mother is from Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea, officially the Republic of Equatorial Guinea where the capital Malabo is situated.Annobón is the southernmost island of Equatorial Guinea and is situated just south of the equator. Bioko island is the northernmost point of Equatorial Guinea. Between the two islands and to the...
. Despite his Basque parentage, he was never approached by 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...
, nor did he play for Euskadi
Basque Country national football team
The Basque Country football team is considered the national team of the Basque Country greater region as selected players from the Basque Country Autonomous Community, the nearby Navarre and the Northern Basque Country in France play for it...
.