Fernando Muñoz
Encyclopedia
Fernando Muñoz García aka Nando, is a retired Spanish
footballer who played mostly as a centre back (right-footed, he was also utilized on the flank).
During a 15-year professional career, he appeared in 306 La Liga
games, having represented four clubs – most notably FC Barcelona
and Real Madrid
.
, Andalusia
, Nando started his career with hometown Sevilla FC
, his first game being on 22 February 1987, in a 1–0 home win over Athletic de Bilbao
(90 minutes played), leaving in 1990 to join FC Barcelona
– with the Andalusia
ns having an option to rebuy – where he won the European Cup
in 1991–92 and two La Liga
titles (64 appearances) in two seasons. There, he reunited with former Sevilla defensive mate Ricardo Serna
.
Subsequently, Nando returned to Sevilla, but was immediately bought by Barça archrivals Real Madrid
, where he would spend three 1/2 seasons with irregular playing time – 46 matches in his first two years, three in the following – before moving to RCD Espanyol
, in January 1996. In the other Catalonia
outfit, he would play until the end of 2000–01, appearing 123 times with two goals, his only as a professional.
Nando retired aged almost 34, and earned eight caps for the Spain national football team
, while at FC Barcelona. His debut came on 12 September 1990 in Gijón
, in a 3–0 friendly win over Brazil
.
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 mostly as a centre back (right-footed, he was also utilized on the flank).
During a 15-year professional career, he appeared in 306 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...
games, having represented four clubs – most notably 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....
and Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
.
Football career
Born in SevilleSeville
Seville is the artistic, historic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia and of the province of Seville. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of above sea level...
, 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...
, Nando started his career with hometown 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...
, his first game being on 22 February 1987, in a 1–0 home win over Athletic de 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...
(90 minutes played), leaving in 1990 to join 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....
– with 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 having an option to rebuy – where he won the 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 1991–92 and two 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...
titles (64 appearances) in two seasons. There, he reunited with former Sevilla defensive mate Ricardo Serna
Ricardo Serna
Ricardo Jesús Serna Orozco is a retired Spanish footballer who played mostly as a central defender....
.
Subsequently, Nando returned to Sevilla, but was immediately bought by Barça archrivals Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
, where he would spend three 1/2 seasons with irregular playing time – 46 matches in his first two years, three in the following – before moving to RCD Espanyol
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
, in January 1996. In the other Catalonia
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...
outfit, he would play until the end of 2000–01, appearing 123 times with two goals, his only as a professional.
Nando retired aged almost 34, and earned eight caps for the Spain national football 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...
, while at FC Barcelona. His debut came on 12 September 1990 in Gijón
Gijón
Gijón , officially Gijón / Xixón, is a coastal industrial city and a municipality in the autonomous community of Asturias in Spain. Early mediaeval texts mention it as "Gigia". It was an important regional Roman city, although the area has been settled since earliest history...
, in a 3–0 friendly win over Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
.