Jesús María Zamora
Encyclopedia
Jesús María Zamora Ansorena (born 1 January 1955) is a retired Spanish
footballer who played as a midfielder
.
, Gipuzkoa (near San Sebastián
), Zamora played his entire professional career with local outfit Real Sociedad
. After a slow 1974–75 (nine matches), he went on to amass a further 446 top flight
matches in the next 14 years, being an instrumental figure of the club alongside namesake Jesús María Satrústegui.
Zamora's finest hour as a player undoubtedly came on the last game (and literally the last second) of the 1980–81 season, as he scored the tying goal at Sporting de Gijón
, giving the Basque
the needed point to clinch the league title at the expense of Real Madrid
, as its players were already celebrating after a 3–1 win at Real Valladolid
, only to be told about Zamora's feat over a radio broadcast. He scored three in 31 matches the following season, as Sociedad renewed its domestic supremacy.
After retiring in 1989, Zamora worked with his only club in several capacities. From 2002–04, he assisted Raynald Denoueix
and aided to a runner-up position in his second year. However, after another legendary teammate, José Mari Bakero
, was relieved of his general manager
duties by him, in late 2006, the season ended in relegation, the first in 40 years, and Zamora too resigned.
Zamora played for Spain
30 times, and scored three goals; his debut came in a friendly with Italy
, on December 21, 1978. He took part in the UEFA Euro 1980 and 1982 FIFA World Cup
finals, retiring after the 0–0 draw against England
, on 5 July 1982, in the latter competition - this would also be longtime clubmate Satrústegui's last match.
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 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...
.
Football career
Born in RenteríaErrenteria
Errenteria is a town located in the province of Gipuzkoa in the Basque Autonomous Community, North of Spain, near the French border. The river Oiartzun cuts its way through the town, one that has undergone severe pollution up to recent times on its lower...
, Gipuzkoa (near San Sebastián
San Sebastián
Donostia-San Sebastián is a city and municipality located in the north of Spain, in the coast of the Bay of Biscay and 20 km away from the French border. The city is the capital of Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. The municipality’s population is 186,122 , and its...
), Zamora played his entire professional career with local outfit 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...
. After a slow 1974–75 (nine matches), he went on to amass a further 446 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...
matches in the next 14 years, being an instrumental figure of the club alongside namesake Jesús María Satrústegui.
Zamora's finest hour as a player undoubtedly came on the last game (and literally the last second) of the 1980–81 season, as he scored the tying goal at Sporting de Gijón
Sporting de Gijón
Real Sporting de Gijón, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club from Gijón, Asturias. Founded in 1 June 1905, it currently plays in Spanish first division....
, giving 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....
the needed point to clinch the league title at the expense of 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...
, as its players were already celebrating after a 3–1 win at 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....
, only to be told about Zamora's feat over a radio broadcast. He scored three in 31 matches the following season, as Sociedad renewed its domestic supremacy.
After retiring in 1989, Zamora worked with his only club in several capacities. From 2002–04, he assisted Raynald Denoueix
Raynald Denoueix
Raynald Denoueix is a French football manager and former defender.Born in Rouen, Denoueix spent his whole playing career as a defender at FC Nantes before becoming a coach at the club's youth academy. During his time at the youth academy, he discovered players such as Didier Deschamps or Marcel...
and aided to a runner-up position in his second year. However, after another legendary teammate, José Mari Bakero
José Mari Bakero
José María Bakero Escudero is a retired Spanish footballer, and the current coach of Lech Poznań in Poland.Having played mainly for Real Sociedad and FC Barcelona, he began his career as a forward but was converted into an attacking midfielder, who possessed passing and netting ability José María...
, was relieved of his general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
duties by him, in late 2006, the season ended in relegation, the first in 40 years, and Zamora too resigned.
Zamora played 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...
30 times, and scored three goals; his debut came in a friendly with Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
, on December 21, 1978. He took part in the UEFA Euro 1980 and 1982 FIFA World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
finals, retiring after the 0–0 draw against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
, on 5 July 1982, in the latter competition - this would also be longtime clubmate Satrústegui's last match.