Iñigo Larrainzar
Encyclopedia
Iñigo Larrainzar Santamaría (born 5 June 1971 in Pamplona
, Navarre
) is a retired Spanish
footballer who played mainly as a right defender.
Also a central defender on occasion, his older brother Domingo
, often referred to as Larrainzar I, was also a footballer, and both played at CA Osasuna
.
's youth ranks, Larrainzar made his first team - and La Liga
- debut on 21 March 1990, in a 0–1 away loss against Rayo Vallecano
, and was definitely promoted to the main squad for the following season: aged 19, he was instrumental, alongside brother Domingo
, in helping the Navarre
se finish fourth and qualify for the UEFA Cup.
In the 1993 summer, Athletic de Bilbao
paid 200 million pesetas
to acquire his services, the then second-highest figure by the club, and he was an undisputed starter in the seasons to come. In 1997–98, alongside club youth graduate Aitor Larrazábal
, who played in the opposite flank, Larraínzar played in 34 matches, with two goals, to help the Basque
outfit to a runner-up place (with a direct UEFA Champions League
qualification).
After some seasons battling for first-choice with younger Jesús María Lacruz
, whom also represented Osasuna (although they did not coincide), and also dealing with injuries, Larraínzar moved south for Córdoba CF
, in the nation's second division
, where he played a further two seasons. He retired at 34, with 362 first division matches played.
: on 19 January 1994, he played the entire 2–2 friendly match with Portugal
, in Vigo
.
Pamplona
Pamplona is the historial capital city of Navarre, in Spain, and of the former kingdom of Navarre.The city is famous worldwide for the San Fermín festival, from July 6 to 14, in which the running of the bulls is one of the main attractions...
, Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
) 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 mainly as a right defender.
Also a central defender on occasion, his older brother Domingo
Domingo Larrainzar
Domingo José Larrainzar Santamaría is a retired Spanish footballer who played mainly as a central defender....
, often referred to as Larrainzar I, was also a footballer, and both played at CA Osasuna
CA Osasuna
Club Atlético Osasuna, known as Osasuna, is a Spanish football team based in Iruñea-Pamplona, in the autonomous community of Navarre.Founded in 1920, it currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at the 19,553-capacity Estadio Reyno de Navarra...
.
Club career
A product of hometown CA OsasunaCA Osasuna
Club Atlético Osasuna, known as Osasuna, is a Spanish football team based in Iruñea-Pamplona, in the autonomous community of Navarre.Founded in 1920, it currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at the 19,553-capacity Estadio Reyno de Navarra...
's youth ranks, Larrainzar made his first team - and 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...
- debut on 21 March 1990, in a 0–1 away loss against Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, S.A.D., often abbreviated to Rayo, is a Spanish football team based in Madrid, in the neighbourhood of Vallecas...
, and was definitely promoted to the main squad for the following season: aged 19, he was instrumental, alongside brother Domingo
Domingo Larrainzar
Domingo José Larrainzar Santamaría is a retired Spanish footballer who played mainly as a central defender....
, in helping the Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
se finish fourth and qualify for the UEFA Cup.
In the 1993 summer, 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...
paid 200 million pesetas
Spanish peseta
The peseta was the currency of Spain between 1869 and 2002. Along with the French franc, it was also a de facto currency used in Andorra .- Etymology :...
to acquire his services, the then second-highest figure by the club, and he was an undisputed starter in the seasons to come. In 1997–98, alongside club youth graduate Aitor Larrazábal
Aitor Larrazábal
Aitor Larrazábal Bilbao is a retired Spanish footballer who played solely for Athletic de Bilbao....
, who played in the opposite flank, Larraínzar played in 34 matches, with two goals, to help the 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....
outfit to a runner-up place (with a direct 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).
After some seasons battling for first-choice with younger Jesús María Lacruz
Jesús María Lacruz
Jesús María Lacruz Gómez is a Spanish footballer who plays for Real Unión as a versatile defender.-Football career:...
, whom also represented Osasuna (although they did not coincide), and also dealing with injuries, Larraínzar moved south for Córdoba CF
Córdoba CF
Córdoba Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Córdoba, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1954, it plays in Segunda División, holding home matches at Estadio Nuevo Arcángel, with a capacity of 18,280 seats....
, in the nation's second division
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:...
, where he played a further two seasons. He retired at 34, with 362 first division matches played.
International career
Larrainzar was capped once 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 19 January 1994, he played the entire 2–2 friendly match with Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
, 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:...
.