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| Copa del Rey 2003-2004 |
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Villarreal
Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Atletic Bilbao,
Deportivo La Coruna Real Sociedad,
Real Betis, Real Zaragoza, Espanyol
Aragon All-Time Team.
This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for the club. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League.
Real Zaragoza has spent the majority of its history in La Liga, winning the Copa del Rey six times and the 1994–95 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, amongst other trophies.
Beginning in the 1960–61 season, Zaragoza enjoyed a period of great success, showcasing some of the greatest players playing in Spain during that decade, which earned for themselves the designation of Los Magníficos. While the team failed to capture the league title, it finished in the top five every year until 1968–69, with two third-place finishes, and also won its first two Copa del Rey titles and the 1963–64 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.
A government survey in 2007 found that 2.7% of the Spanish population support the club, making them the seventh-most supported in the country.
Team
GK: Enrique Yarza (Spain)
Enrique Yarza was born in 1930. He played his entire career with different clubs in the city of Zaragoza. He was the keeper of one of the best historical period of Real Zaragoza with Los Magníficos. He moved there in 1953 from Club Deportivo Fuenclara. He played for them from 1953 to 1960. They won two Copa del Generalísimo (now Copa del Rey) in 1964 and 1966, and the Fairs Cup in 1964. He retired in 1969.
GK: Andoni Cedrún (Spain)
Andoni Cedrún appeared in 351 La Liga games over the course of 17 seasons, representing mostly Zaragoza with which he won three major titles, including the 1995 Cup Winners' Cup. He started his career with Athletic Bilbao. He played with Cadiz before heading to Zaragoza in 1984. His father Carmelo Cedrún a goalkeeper played for both Athletic Bilboa and Spain.
GK: Juanmi (Spain)
After graduating from Real Madrid B Team, he was third-choice for Real Madrid behind Francisco Buyo. In the 1993 off-season, Juanmi moved to Real Zaragoza as backup to veteran Andoni Cedrún. After two years as second-choice, he went on to become the Aragonese side's undisputed starter, being instrumental in the club's 2001 conquest of the Copa del Rey. Capped once for Spain.
RB: Alberto Belsué (Spain)
After playing with lowly Endesa de Andorra between 1986 and 1988, Alberto Belsué joined La Liga club Real Zaragoza, where he helped to win the 1994 Copa del Rey and the following year's UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. He also played for Alavés and Numancia at the end of his career. He was capped 14 times for Spain between 1994 and 1996. He played at the European Championship in 1996, converting one of the penalties against England in the quarterfinal.
CB: Xavi Aguado (Spain)
Xavi Aguado began playing football with local CF Badalona. After two seasons at local CE Sabadell FC in the second division, he joined Real Zaragoza in La Liga for the 1990–91 campaign, quickly establishing as first-choice whilst displaying aerial ability and team leadership alike (he would be early on named club captain). Aguado was part of the Zaragoza team that beat Arsenal in the 1994–95 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final.
CB: Fernando Caceres (Argentina)
Fernando Cáceres began at Argentinos Juniors and in 1991 was transferred to River Plate where he won his first title, the 1991 Apertura. He then moved to Spain to play for Real Zaragoza, where he won the Copa del Rey in 1994 and the Cup Winners' Cup. The following year, Cáceres had a brief spell at Boca Juniors, before signing for Valencia CF and then, Celta de Vigo. With Argentina, he was capped 22 times, he won the Copa America 1993 and went to the 1994 World Cup Finals.
CB/RB: Casuco (Spain)
Born in Lorca, Region of Murcia, Juan Martínez Martínez was better known as Casuco. He wasa youth product of Real Madrid, but he started with CF Lorca Deportiva. From there he went to Granada CF ,played with Granada CF and then the Elche CF in the 1970's. He joined Real Zaragoza in 1979, where he spent ten years and played his best career as a player, becoming their team captain. He helped Real Zaragoza to win the Copa Del Rey in 1985-1986.
LM/SW/LB: José Luis Violeta (Spain)
José Luis Violeta made his debut with Club Deportivo Puertollano in 1962. He played for 14 seasons with Real Zaragoza (1963-1977) as a part of the glorious era for the club. He became a symbol of the club. He won two Copa del Generalísimo(now Copa del Rey) in 1964 and 1966. From 1966 to 1974, he was capped for Spain 14 times, scoring a single goal. He made his international debut in June, 1966 against Uruguay.
CB: Manuel González (Spain)
Born in Granada, Manuel González began his career with Segunda División Granada in 1964. From 1966 to 1977, he played for Real Zaragoza, where he played the prime of his career. He played 303 games, the third player with most appearances. He rejoined Granada at the end of his career in 1977. His father Manuel González played for Real Madrid.
LB: Severino Reija (Spain)
Severino Reija played of the best historical sides of Real Zaragoza( Los Magníficos). They won two Copa del Generalísimo(now Copa del Rey) in 1964 and 1966, and the Fairs Cup in 1964. He participated with the national team at the 1962 and 1966 World Cup. And in 1964, he was a member of the European Nations' Cup that Spain won at home.
LB: Jesús Ángel Solana (Spain)
Solana was a product of Real Madrid's youth ranks. He was used regularly in five of his six seasons with the capital club's first team, as it won five La Liga titles in a row in the 1980's. However, Solana would be most known for his spell at Real Zaragoza, where he won a Copa del Rey as well as the memorable 1994–95 edition of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup against Arsenal. He was capped once in 1988.
CM: Juan Manuel Villa (Spain)
Juan Manuel Villa was a graduate of Real Madrid's academy. He played with Alfredo di Stefano, Puskus, etc at Real Madrid before moving to Real Zazagoza. He spent 10 seasons there. He was a part of Real Zaragoza's Los Magníficos that won two Copa del Generalísimo(now Copa del Rey) in 1964 and 1966. For his international career, he was a part of Spain's winning side at the Euro 1964.
CM/DM: Juan Antonio Señor (Spain)
Juan Antonio Señor played for Alves between 1978 and 1981, but mainly for Zaragoza, amassing nearly 400 official appearances in nine years. In 1983, Spain needed to score 11 goals to qualify for the Euro 1984 on the last match. He scored the all important last goal that qualified Spain to Euro 1984 Finals. He went on to represent Spain in the Finals, where Spain finished second bah nd France. He also went to the 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico. He had 40 caps in total between 1982 and 1988.
CM: Eleuterio Santos (Spain)
Eleuterio Santos started playing with local CD Tenerife. In March 1963 he moved to Real Zaragoza, going on to spend nine of his ten seasons with the club in La Liga and being part of an attacking frontline dubbed Los Magníficos, which also featured Canário, Carlos Lapetra, Marcelino and Juan Manuel Villa. They won two two Copa del Generalísimo(now Copa del Rey) in 1964 and 1966.
LW/FW: Juan Seminario (Peru)
Juan Seminario had a great career in Europe during the 1960's. He played with Sporting CP, Real Zaragoza, FC Barcelona and Fiorentina. He became the top scorer in La Liga with 25 goals for the 1961–62 season while playing for Real Zaragoza. For Peru, he had 19 caps. He was remembered for scoring a hat-trick against England in 1959.
LW/FW: Carlos Lapetra (Spain)
Carlos Lapetra began his career with CD Guadalajara in 1958. He spent ten of his 11 years as a professional with Real Zaragoza, appearing in 279 official games (62 goals) and winning three major titles with the club during the Golden period of the club. Lapetra played in the Final of the 1964 European Nations' Cup against the Soviet Union, where Spain won its first ever major tournament. He also went to the 1966 World Cup Finals in England. He had 13 caps in total.
AM: Santiago Aragon (Spain)
Santiago Aragon started with Real Madrid, but never settled down because he was playing behind Rafael Vazquez. He spent most of career there on loan. He went to Real Zaragoza in 1993. Aragón was part of the side that won the 1995 edition of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, having conquered the Copa del Rey the previous campaign. He spent 10 seasons with Zaragoza.
AM/CM: Gustavo Poyet (Uruguay)
Gustavo Poyet began his career with short spells at Grenoble and River Plate in Uruguay. He then spent seven years at Real Zaragoza in Spain, with whom he won the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. In 1997, Poyet moved to Chelsea and helped the club win the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. In 2001 he moved to Tottenham Hotspur. He played 26 times for Uruguay between 1993 and 2000. He was also part of the Uruguay side which won the 1995 Copa América.
AM: Saturnino Arrúa (Paraguay)
Arrúa made his senior debuts at only 14, with local Sportivo Iteño. Then, he played with Cerro Porteño. In 1973, he moved to Spain and joined Real Zaragoza, remaining six seasons with the club. He formed an efficient attacking partnership with countrymen Carlos Diarte and Felipe Ocampos which was dubbed Zaraguayos. He played 35 times for Paraguay.
FW: Jorge Valdano (Argentina)
Although Jorge Valdano initially played for Newell's Old Boys, Alavés and Real Zaragoza, his most successful period at club level was at Real Madrid, where he played between 1984 and 1987. For Argentina, he was a key player at the 1986 World Cup Finals. He scored four goals in the 1986 tournament, including Argentina's second goal against West Germany in the final. In total, he earned 23 caps for the Argentine national team between 1975 and 1990, scoring seven goals.
RW/FW: Canario (Brazil)
Canário played for America Football Club (RJ) in Brazil. In 1959 he moved to Real Madrid. He won the European Cup in the 1959–60 edition. After spending the 1962–63 season with Sevilla, Canário switched to Real Zaragoza, going on to be part of an attacking frontline that was dubbed Los Magníficos (The Magnificent. He reached four Copa del Rey finals with the Aragonese during his stint, winning the tournament twice.
FW: Miguel Pardeza (Spain)
Miguel Pardeza was a member of Real Madrid's generation of homegrown footballers known as "Quinta del Buitre". He was a key player as they won La Liga in 1987. However, he spent the better part of his career at Real Zaragoza, whom he played between 1987 and 1997. He was also a part of the team that won the 1995 Cup Winners' Cup. He later played club football in Mexico at the end of his career. He was capped 5 times.
ST: Joaquín Murillo (Spain)
In 1954, Joaquín Murillo joined Real Valladolid CF, where he played for three seasons. Then he ended up at Real Zaragoza team in which he scored 113 goals in 178 official matches. With 88 goals in the league, he is the top scorer in the history of Real Zaragoza and he is also the second highest scoring Catalan player in the league.
ST: Marcelino Martinez (Spain)
In 1959, Marcelino Martinez signed with Real Zaragoza from local Racing de Ferrol, going on to remain with the club until his retirement 11 years later. During his spell with the Aragonese, Marcelino scored 117 official goals, winning three major titles, namely two Copa del Rey trophies.
ST: Diego Milito (Argentina)
Diego Milito began his club career with Racing Club in 1999. He starred at both Genoa and Real Zaragoza. He is best remembered for playing with Inter Milan. He scored 32 goals in all competitions including two goals in the 2010 Champions League Final against Bayern Munich. It was the club's 2009–10 treble-winning season. Milito earned 25 caps for Argentina. He represented his country in two Copa América, and at the 2010 World Cup Finals.
Honorable Mention
Gabriel Milito (Argentina), Fernando Caceres, Luis Cuartero (Spain), Cacho Blanco (Uruguay), Pablo Aimar (Argentina), Juan Barbas (Argentina), Javier Planas (Spain), Pichi Alonso (Spain), Nayim (Spain), Juan Eduardo Esnaider (Argentina), Savo Milosevic (Serbia), Roberto Ayala (Argentina), Saturnino Arrúa (Paraguay), Felipe Ocampos (Paraguay), Carlos Diarte (Paraguay), Francisco Higuera (Spain), Sávio (Brazil), Ivica Šurjak (Croatia), Ewerthon (Brazil), Francisco Villarroya (Spain), Víctor Muñoz (Spain), Francisco Güerri (Spain).
Squad Explanation
-- The team focused a lot on the great team that won the Cup Winners' Cup in 1995 and Los Magníficos of the 1960's.
-- Los Magníficos of the 1960's won two Copa del Generalísimo (now Copa del Rey) in 1964 and 1966. Severino Reija, Carlos Lapetra and Marcelino Martínez also represented Spain at the European Nations Cup in 1964. Canario, Eleuterio Santos, Juan Manuel Villa, Severino Reija, José Luis Violeta, Casuco and Enrique Yarza were other members on that team.
-- I selected a large number of players played on the 1995 team. Andoni Cedrún, Miguel Pardeza, Gustavo Poyet, Santiago Aragon, Jesús Ángel Solana, Fernando Caceres, Xavi Aguado and Alberto Belsué were on the team that won the Cup Winners' Cup in 1995. Nayim earned his honorable mention because of his fantastic goal vs David Seaman at the 1995 Cup Winners' Cup Final. I normally reward players for winning the biggest trophy for their clubs.
-- Centerback Xavi Aguado is their all-time leading appearance leader. He was part of the Zaragoza side that beat Arsenal in the final of the 1994–95 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.
-- Juan Seminario became the top scorer in La Liga with 25 goals for the 1961–62 season. He only spent a single season there, but I still selected him based upon that achievement.
-- Luciano Galletti was a right wing, The team needs someone on that position..
-- The team has too many attacking midfielders. Santiago Aragon and Gustavo Poyet were automatic selections. I have to drop Saturnino Arrua.
-- Diego Milito had a wonderful career here. His goal average was a goal in every other match. He scored 23 goals in 2006-2007 season, two fewer than league top goalscorer Ruud van Nistelrooy and three behind European Golden Boot winner Francesco Totti. He edged out Pichi Alonso and Carlos Diarte. He also played with his countrymen Pablo Aimar and Roberto Ayala at the club. His brother Gabriel Milito narrowly missed out.
-- Pablo Aimar missed out the team because he only played two seasons with the club. Ayala also played three seasons at the club, but he was a part of the team that got relegated to the Segunda División. Real Zaragoza had a fantastic team that season, but it still went down. It was a massive underachievement.
-- I overlooked "Zaraguayos", a group of Paraguayan footballers who played together for the club in 1970's. Their members included Carlos Diarte, Saturnino Arrúa, Felipe Ocampos and Carlos Diarte. I only have space for Saturnino Arrúa.
-- José Luis Chilavert (Paraguay) also played for them before he became famous with Vélez Sársfield in Argentina. He is not on Honorable Mention. Andreas Brehme also spent a season here.
-- Frank Rijkaard played briefly for Real Zaragioza after he left Ajax. He was on loan from Sporting CP. After a season, he joined AC Milan where he joined his countrymen Marco Van Basten and Ruud Gullit.
-- Upon further review, Sávio was added to the Honorable Mention. Ewerthon also only made Honorable Mention. He scored 28 goals in a single season.
-- Marcelino is the all-time leading scorer for the club.
Formation
This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for the club. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League.
Real Zaragoza has spent the majority of its history in La Liga, winning the Copa del Rey six times and the 1994–95 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, amongst other trophies.
Beginning in the 1960–61 season, Zaragoza enjoyed a period of great success, showcasing some of the greatest players playing in Spain during that decade, which earned for themselves the designation of Los Magníficos. While the team failed to capture the league title, it finished in the top five every year until 1968–69, with two third-place finishes, and also won its first two Copa del Rey titles and the 1963–64 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.
A government survey in 2007 found that 2.7% of the Spanish population support the club, making them the seventh-most supported in the country.
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| 1995 Cup Winners Cup winning team |
GK: Enrique Yarza (Spain)
Enrique Yarza was born in 1930. He played his entire career with different clubs in the city of Zaragoza. He was the keeper of one of the best historical period of Real Zaragoza with Los Magníficos. He moved there in 1953 from Club Deportivo Fuenclara. He played for them from 1953 to 1960. They won two Copa del Generalísimo (now Copa del Rey) in 1964 and 1966, and the Fairs Cup in 1964. He retired in 1969.
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| Enrique Yarza |
GK: Andoni Cedrún (Spain)
Andoni Cedrún appeared in 351 La Liga games over the course of 17 seasons, representing mostly Zaragoza with which he won three major titles, including the 1995 Cup Winners' Cup. He started his career with Athletic Bilbao. He played with Cadiz before heading to Zaragoza in 1984. His father Carmelo Cedrún a goalkeeper played for both Athletic Bilboa and Spain.
GK: Juanmi (Spain)
After graduating from Real Madrid B Team, he was third-choice for Real Madrid behind Francisco Buyo. In the 1993 off-season, Juanmi moved to Real Zaragoza as backup to veteran Andoni Cedrún. After two years as second-choice, he went on to become the Aragonese side's undisputed starter, being instrumental in the club's 2001 conquest of the Copa del Rey. Capped once for Spain.
RB: Alberto Belsué (Spain)
After playing with lowly Endesa de Andorra between 1986 and 1988, Alberto Belsué joined La Liga club Real Zaragoza, where he helped to win the 1994 Copa del Rey and the following year's UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. He also played for Alavés and Numancia at the end of his career. He was capped 14 times for Spain between 1994 and 1996. He played at the European Championship in 1996, converting one of the penalties against England in the quarterfinal.
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| Alberto Belsué |
Xavi Aguado began playing football with local CF Badalona. After two seasons at local CE Sabadell FC in the second division, he joined Real Zaragoza in La Liga for the 1990–91 campaign, quickly establishing as first-choice whilst displaying aerial ability and team leadership alike (he would be early on named club captain). Aguado was part of the Zaragoza team that beat Arsenal in the 1994–95 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final.
CB: Fernando Caceres (Argentina)
Fernando Cáceres began at Argentinos Juniors and in 1991 was transferred to River Plate where he won his first title, the 1991 Apertura. He then moved to Spain to play for Real Zaragoza, where he won the Copa del Rey in 1994 and the Cup Winners' Cup. The following year, Cáceres had a brief spell at Boca Juniors, before signing for Valencia CF and then, Celta de Vigo. With Argentina, he was capped 22 times, he won the Copa America 1993 and went to the 1994 World Cup Finals.
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| Fernando Caceres |
Born in Lorca, Region of Murcia, Juan Martínez Martínez was better known as Casuco. He wasa youth product of Real Madrid, but he started with CF Lorca Deportiva. From there he went to Granada CF ,played with Granada CF and then the Elche CF in the 1970's. He joined Real Zaragoza in 1979, where he spent ten years and played his best career as a player, becoming their team captain. He helped Real Zaragoza to win the Copa Del Rey in 1985-1986.
LM/SW/LB: José Luis Violeta (Spain)
José Luis Violeta made his debut with Club Deportivo Puertollano in 1962. He played for 14 seasons with Real Zaragoza (1963-1977) as a part of the glorious era for the club. He became a symbol of the club. He won two Copa del Generalísimo(now Copa del Rey) in 1964 and 1966. From 1966 to 1974, he was capped for Spain 14 times, scoring a single goal. He made his international debut in June, 1966 against Uruguay.
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| José Luis Violeta |
Born in Granada, Manuel González began his career with Segunda División Granada in 1964. From 1966 to 1977, he played for Real Zaragoza, where he played the prime of his career. He played 303 games, the third player with most appearances. He rejoined Granada at the end of his career in 1977. His father Manuel González played for Real Madrid.
LB: Severino Reija (Spain)
Severino Reija played of the best historical sides of Real Zaragoza( Los Magníficos). They won two Copa del Generalísimo(now Copa del Rey) in 1964 and 1966, and the Fairs Cup in 1964. He participated with the national team at the 1962 and 1966 World Cup. And in 1964, he was a member of the European Nations' Cup that Spain won at home.
LB: Jesús Ángel Solana (Spain)
Solana was a product of Real Madrid's youth ranks. He was used regularly in five of his six seasons with the capital club's first team, as it won five La Liga titles in a row in the 1980's. However, Solana would be most known for his spell at Real Zaragoza, where he won a Copa del Rey as well as the memorable 1994–95 edition of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup against Arsenal. He was capped once in 1988.
CM: Juan Manuel Villa (Spain)
Juan Manuel Villa was a graduate of Real Madrid's academy. He played with Alfredo di Stefano, Puskus, etc at Real Madrid before moving to Real Zazagoza. He spent 10 seasons there. He was a part of Real Zaragoza's Los Magníficos that won two Copa del Generalísimo(now Copa del Rey) in 1964 and 1966. For his international career, he was a part of Spain's winning side at the Euro 1964.
CM/DM: Juan Antonio Señor (Spain)
Juan Antonio Señor played for Alves between 1978 and 1981, but mainly for Zaragoza, amassing nearly 400 official appearances in nine years. In 1983, Spain needed to score 11 goals to qualify for the Euro 1984 on the last match. He scored the all important last goal that qualified Spain to Euro 1984 Finals. He went on to represent Spain in the Finals, where Spain finished second bah nd France. He also went to the 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico. He had 40 caps in total between 1982 and 1988.
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| Juan Senor vs Diego Maradona |
Eleuterio Santos started playing with local CD Tenerife. In March 1963 he moved to Real Zaragoza, going on to spend nine of his ten seasons with the club in La Liga and being part of an attacking frontline dubbed Los Magníficos, which also featured Canário, Carlos Lapetra, Marcelino and Juan Manuel Villa. They won two two Copa del Generalísimo(now Copa del Rey) in 1964 and 1966.
LW/FW: Juan Seminario (Peru)
Juan Seminario had a great career in Europe during the 1960's. He played with Sporting CP, Real Zaragoza, FC Barcelona and Fiorentina. He became the top scorer in La Liga with 25 goals for the 1961–62 season while playing for Real Zaragoza. For Peru, he had 19 caps. He was remembered for scoring a hat-trick against England in 1959.
LW/FW: Carlos Lapetra (Spain)
Carlos Lapetra began his career with CD Guadalajara in 1958. He spent ten of his 11 years as a professional with Real Zaragoza, appearing in 279 official games (62 goals) and winning three major titles with the club during the Golden period of the club. Lapetra played in the Final of the 1964 European Nations' Cup against the Soviet Union, where Spain won its first ever major tournament. He also went to the 1966 World Cup Finals in England. He had 13 caps in total.
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| Carlos Lapetra |
Santiago Aragon started with Real Madrid, but never settled down because he was playing behind Rafael Vazquez. He spent most of career there on loan. He went to Real Zaragoza in 1993. Aragón was part of the side that won the 1995 edition of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, having conquered the Copa del Rey the previous campaign. He spent 10 seasons with Zaragoza.
AM/CM: Gustavo Poyet (Uruguay)
Gustavo Poyet began his career with short spells at Grenoble and River Plate in Uruguay. He then spent seven years at Real Zaragoza in Spain, with whom he won the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. In 1997, Poyet moved to Chelsea and helped the club win the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. In 2001 he moved to Tottenham Hotspur. He played 26 times for Uruguay between 1993 and 2000. He was also part of the Uruguay side which won the 1995 Copa América.
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| Gustavo Poyet |
AM: Saturnino Arrúa (Paraguay)
Arrúa made his senior debuts at only 14, with local Sportivo Iteño. Then, he played with Cerro Porteño. In 1973, he moved to Spain and joined Real Zaragoza, remaining six seasons with the club. He formed an efficient attacking partnership with countrymen Carlos Diarte and Felipe Ocampos which was dubbed Zaraguayos. He played 35 times for Paraguay.
FW: Jorge Valdano (Argentina)
Although Jorge Valdano initially played for Newell's Old Boys, Alavés and Real Zaragoza, his most successful period at club level was at Real Madrid, where he played between 1984 and 1987. For Argentina, he was a key player at the 1986 World Cup Finals. He scored four goals in the 1986 tournament, including Argentina's second goal against West Germany in the final. In total, he earned 23 caps for the Argentine national team between 1975 and 1990, scoring seven goals.
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| Jorge Valdano |
Canário played for America Football Club (RJ) in Brazil. In 1959 he moved to Real Madrid. He won the European Cup in the 1959–60 edition. After spending the 1962–63 season with Sevilla, Canário switched to Real Zaragoza, going on to be part of an attacking frontline that was dubbed Los Magníficos (The Magnificent. He reached four Copa del Rey finals with the Aragonese during his stint, winning the tournament twice.
FW: Miguel Pardeza (Spain)
Miguel Pardeza was a member of Real Madrid's generation of homegrown footballers known as "Quinta del Buitre". He was a key player as they won La Liga in 1987. However, he spent the better part of his career at Real Zaragoza, whom he played between 1987 and 1997. He was also a part of the team that won the 1995 Cup Winners' Cup. He later played club football in Mexico at the end of his career. He was capped 5 times.
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| Miguel Pardeza |
In 1954, Joaquín Murillo joined Real Valladolid CF, where he played for three seasons. Then he ended up at Real Zaragoza team in which he scored 113 goals in 178 official matches. With 88 goals in the league, he is the top scorer in the history of Real Zaragoza and he is also the second highest scoring Catalan player in the league.
ST: Marcelino Martinez (Spain)
In 1959, Marcelino Martinez signed with Real Zaragoza from local Racing de Ferrol, going on to remain with the club until his retirement 11 years later. During his spell with the Aragonese, Marcelino scored 117 official goals, winning three major titles, namely two Copa del Rey trophies.
ST: Diego Milito (Argentina)
Diego Milito began his club career with Racing Club in 1999. He starred at both Genoa and Real Zaragoza. He is best remembered for playing with Inter Milan. He scored 32 goals in all competitions including two goals in the 2010 Champions League Final against Bayern Munich. It was the club's 2009–10 treble-winning season. Milito earned 25 caps for Argentina. He represented his country in two Copa América, and at the 2010 World Cup Finals.
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| Diego Milito |
Honorable Mention
Gabriel Milito (Argentina), Fernando Caceres, Luis Cuartero (Spain), Cacho Blanco (Uruguay), Pablo Aimar (Argentina), Juan Barbas (Argentina), Javier Planas (Spain), Pichi Alonso (Spain), Nayim (Spain), Juan Eduardo Esnaider (Argentina), Savo Milosevic (Serbia), Roberto Ayala (Argentina), Saturnino Arrúa (Paraguay), Felipe Ocampos (Paraguay), Carlos Diarte (Paraguay), Francisco Higuera (Spain), Sávio (Brazil), Ivica Šurjak (Croatia), Ewerthon (Brazil), Francisco Villarroya (Spain), Víctor Muñoz (Spain), Francisco Güerri (Spain).
Squad Explanation
-- The team focused a lot on the great team that won the Cup Winners' Cup in 1995 and Los Magníficos of the 1960's.
-- Los Magníficos of the 1960's won two Copa del Generalísimo (now Copa del Rey) in 1964 and 1966. Severino Reija, Carlos Lapetra and Marcelino Martínez also represented Spain at the European Nations Cup in 1964. Canario, Eleuterio Santos, Juan Manuel Villa, Severino Reija, José Luis Violeta, Casuco and Enrique Yarza were other members on that team.
-- I selected a large number of players played on the 1995 team. Andoni Cedrún, Miguel Pardeza, Gustavo Poyet, Santiago Aragon, Jesús Ángel Solana, Fernando Caceres, Xavi Aguado and Alberto Belsué were on the team that won the Cup Winners' Cup in 1995. Nayim earned his honorable mention because of his fantastic goal vs David Seaman at the 1995 Cup Winners' Cup Final. I normally reward players for winning the biggest trophy for their clubs.
-- Centerback Xavi Aguado is their all-time leading appearance leader. He was part of the Zaragoza side that beat Arsenal in the final of the 1994–95 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.
-- Juan Seminario became the top scorer in La Liga with 25 goals for the 1961–62 season. He only spent a single season there, but I still selected him based upon that achievement.
-- Luciano Galletti was a right wing, The team needs someone on that position..
-- The team has too many attacking midfielders. Santiago Aragon and Gustavo Poyet were automatic selections. I have to drop Saturnino Arrua.
-- Diego Milito had a wonderful career here. His goal average was a goal in every other match. He scored 23 goals in 2006-2007 season, two fewer than league top goalscorer Ruud van Nistelrooy and three behind European Golden Boot winner Francesco Totti. He edged out Pichi Alonso and Carlos Diarte. He also played with his countrymen Pablo Aimar and Roberto Ayala at the club. His brother Gabriel Milito narrowly missed out.
-- Pablo Aimar missed out the team because he only played two seasons with the club. Ayala also played three seasons at the club, but he was a part of the team that got relegated to the Segunda División. Real Zaragoza had a fantastic team that season, but it still went down. It was a massive underachievement.
-- I overlooked "Zaraguayos", a group of Paraguayan footballers who played together for the club in 1970's. Their members included Carlos Diarte, Saturnino Arrúa, Felipe Ocampos and Carlos Diarte. I only have space for Saturnino Arrúa.
-- José Luis Chilavert (Paraguay) also played for them before he became famous with Vélez Sársfield in Argentina. He is not on Honorable Mention. Andreas Brehme also spent a season here.
-- Frank Rijkaard played briefly for Real Zaragioza after he left Ajax. He was on loan from Sporting CP. After a season, he joined AC Milan where he joined his countrymen Marco Van Basten and Ruud Gullit.
-- Upon further review, Sávio was added to the Honorable Mention. Ewerthon also only made Honorable Mention. He scored 28 goals in a single season.
-- Marcelino is the all-time leading scorer for the club.
Formation
Saturnino Arrua, menber of los "Zaraguayos" and considered by many as one of the best players ever played for Zaragoza.
ReplyDeleteAlso worth to mention 3 great players that a that short and not a great time with Zaragoza : Brehme, Rijkaard and Surjak.
ReplyDeleteWhere is Savio, "El galactico de Zaragoza"?
ReplyDeleteCafu, best right back in history, also had a short unsuccesful stint at Zaragoza
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