Luis María Echeberría
Encyclopedia
Luis María Echeberría Igartua (born 24 March 1940) is a retired Spanish
footballer who played as a defender
.
, Biscay
, Basque Country
, Echeberría signed for Athletic Bilbao
in 1961 at the age of 21, from neighbouring CD Baskonia
, at that time still not the club's farm team
. He made his first team - and La Liga
- debut on 10 September 1961, in a 1–2 away loss against Sevilla FC
, and finished his debut season with 29 league appearances (out of a possible 30), as his team finished fifth.
In the following seasons, Echeberría would be part of a legendary Athletic defense that also featured José Ángel Iribar
in goal, Jesús Aranguren and Iñaki Sáez
, helping the Lions to the 1969 Copa del Rey
, and appearing in more than 300 official games with his main club. He retired from football in 1973 (aged 33) after one season with Barakaldo CF
, in Segunda División
.
for Spain
during nearly one year (exactly 11 months and three weeks). His debut came on 6 June 1962, as the national team lost 1–2 against Brazil
in that year
's FIFA World Cup
, in Viña del Mar
, for an eventual group stage exit.
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 defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
.
Club career
Born in AsúaErandio
Erandio is a town and municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, northern Spain.In 1415, during the War of the Bands, the corregidor, the royally-appointed governor of the Biscayan hermandad, acting on royal orders, siphoned off Biscayan wheat to...
, Biscay
Biscay
Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao...
, Basque Country
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....
, Echeberría signed for 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...
in 1961 at the age of 21, from neighbouring CD Baskonia
CD Baskonia
Club Deportivo Baskonia is a Spanish football club based in Basauri, Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in Tercera División, holding home games at Estadio de López Cortázar, with a 8,500-seat capacity.-History:Founded in 1913 as CD Basconia,...
, at that time still not the club's farm team
Farm team
In sports, a farm team, farm system, feeder team or nursery club, is generally a team or club whose role is to provide experience and training for young players, with an agreement that any successful players can move on to a higher level at a given point...
. He 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 10 September 1961, in a 1–2 away loss against 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...
, and finished his debut season with 29 league appearances (out of a possible 30), as his team finished fifth.
In the following seasons, Echeberría would be part of a legendary Athletic defense that also featured José Ángel Iribar
José Ángel Iribar
José Ángel Iribar Cortajarena, nicknamed El Chopo , is a retired Spanish football goalkeeper and manager....
in goal, Jesús Aranguren and Iñaki Sáez
Iñaki Sáez
José Ignacio "Iñaki" Sáez Ruiz is a retired Spanish football defender and manager.The vast majority of his professional career was spent with Athletic Bilbao, which he later also coached in various levels, appearing in more than 300 official games with his main club.In addition to two other clubs...
, helping the Lions to the 1969 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 300 official games with his main club. He retired from football in 1973 (aged 33) after one season with Barakaldo CF
Barakaldo CF
Barakaldo Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football team based in Barakaldo, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. Founded in 1917, it plays in Tercera División - Group 4, holding home matches at Estadio Nuevo Lasesarre, with a capacity of 7,960 seats.-Club names:*Baracaldo Football-Club —...
, in Segunda División
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:...
.
International career
Echeberría gained four 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...
during nearly one year (exactly 11 months and three weeks). His debut came on 6 June 1962, as the national team lost 1–2 against 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...
in that year
1962 FIFA World Cup
The 1962 FIFA World Cup, the seventh staging of the World Cup, was held in Chile from 30 May to 17 June. It was won by Brazil, who retained the championship by beating Czechoslovakia 3–1 in the final...
's FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
, in Viña del Mar
Viña del Mar
Viña del Mar , is a city and commune on central Chile's Pacific coast. Its long stretches of white sandy beaches are a major attraction for national and international tourists. The city is Chile's main tourist attraction. Known as "La Ciudad Jardín" , Viña del Mar is a Chilean Municipality located...
, for an eventual group stage exit.