Fernando Sánchez Cipitria
Encyclopedia
Fernando Sánchez Cipitria (born 12 September 1971 in Madrid
), simply Fernando, is a retired Spanish
footballer who played mostly as a left midfielder
.
He appeared in 207 La Liga
games over the course of seven seasons (27 goals), in representation of four different teams.
, Fernando made his La Liga
debuts with Real Valladolid
in 1995–96, with the side then coached by a young Rafael Benítez
, and also featuring former Real B
teammates José Luis Santamaría
and Alberto Marcos
.
In the following season, with Fernando netting a career-best 11 goals, a UEFA Cup qualification befell, as seventh. Subsequently, he signed with Real Betis
, posting two respectable seasons.
Fernando joined Deportivo de La Coruña
for 1999–2000, and appeared in 19 games for Super Depor, in the Galicians first-ever top division accolade. He would be, however, soon be deemed surplus to requirements, and served three consecutive loans until his retirement at 32 (in 2002–03, he played the first part of the season at Hannover 96
in Germany
, alongside teammates Jaime
(also with him Real Madrid) and José Manuel
, but soon grew unsettled and returned to Spain).
for Spain
, both in early 1998: on 28 January, he played ten minutes in the inaugural match at the Stade de France
, a 0–1 loss with France
.
Two months later, he started in another friendly, a 4–0 win over Sweden
in Vigo
, but was overlooked for the 1998 FIFA World Cup
squad in France
.
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...
), simply Fernando, is a retired Spanish
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 left 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 appeared in 207 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 over the course of seven seasons (27 goals), in representation of four different teams.
Club career
An unsuccessful youth graduate from Real MadridReal 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...
, Fernando made his 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...
debuts with Real Valladolid
Real 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....
in 1995–96, with the side then coached by a young Rafael Benítez
Rafael Benítez
Rafael "Rafa" Benítez Maudes is a football manager, and former player. He is currently unemployed, after leaving as manager of Internazionale in December 2010....
, and also featuring former Real B
Real Madrid Castilla
Real Madrid Castilla is a Spanish football team that plays in the Segunda División B. It is the reserve team of Real Madrid. They play their home games at Alfredo di Stéfano Stadium....
teammates José Luis Santamaría
José Luis Santamaría
José Luis Santamaría Buitrago is a former Spanish footballer, who played mainly as a central defender.-Footballc career:...
and Alberto Marcos
Alberto Marcos Rey
Alberto Marcos Rey is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a left defender....
.
In the following season, with Fernando netting a career-best 11 goals, a UEFA Cup qualification befell, as seventh. Subsequently, he signed with 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....
, posting two respectable seasons.
Fernando joined Deportivo de La Coruña
Deportivo de La Coruña
Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
for 1999–2000, and appeared in 19 games for Super Depor, in the Galicians first-ever top division accolade. He would be, however, soon be deemed surplus to requirements, and served three consecutive loans until his retirement at 32 (in 2002–03, he played the first part of the season at Hannover 96
Hannover 96
Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896, commonly referred to as Hannover 96, Hannover or simply 96, is a German association football club based in the city of Hanover, Lower Saxony.-Foundation to WWII:...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, alongside teammates Jaime
Jaime Sánchez Fernández
Jaime Sánchez Fernández, simply Jaime , is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.-Football career:He starts in RSD Alcalá...
(also with him Real Madrid) and José Manuel
José Manuel Colmenero Crespo
José Manuel Colmenero Crespo, known as José Manuel , is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a right midfielder.-Football career:...
, but soon grew unsettled and returned to Spain).
International career
Whilst at Betis, Fernando gained two 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...
, both in early 1998: on 28 January, he played ten minutes in the inaugural match at the Stade de France
Stade de France
The Stade de France is the national stadium of France, situated just north of Paris in the commune of Saint-Denis. It has an all-seater capacity of 80,000, making it the fifth largest stadium in Europe, and is used by both the France national football team and French rugby union team for...
, a 0–1 loss with France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
.
Two months later, he started in another friendly, a 4–0 win over Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
in Vigo
Vigo
Vigo is a city and municipality in north-west Spain, in Galicia, situated on the ria of the same name on the Atlantic Ocean.-Population:...
, but was overlooked for the 1998 FIFA World Cup
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...
squad in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.