'Marquitos' played for Real Madrid in a team widely regarded as the greatest club side of all-time. He won an astounding five European Cups in 1955–56, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1958–59 and 1959–60. Playing alongside the likes of Alfredo di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas...
The 1956 European Cup final took part on 13th June at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France. Marquitos was named as No.5 for Madrid who faced Stade de Reims-Champagne playing in their home country in front of 38,239 people.
Real Madrid had reached the final after overcoming Milan 5-4 on over two legs, but it was far from a dream start for the Spanish side who were 2-0 down within ten minutes. By half time however Madrid had levelled the scores with Di Stefano and Rial grabbing the goals. The French side made a good start to the second half, taking the lead again on 62 minutes, 2-3.
Then came the moment for Marquitos to grab the headlines as the defender levelled the score five minutes later, ‘I passed the ball to Di Stefano and he gave it back to me.’ Recalls the Madrid legend… ‘I fed Marsal but his shot on goal was parried by the French goalkeeper but it found me and none of the players of Stade de Reims could prevent both efforts. It brought me great joy!’
Rial then added his second in the 79th minute to win the cup for Real Madrid.
The 1957 final was played in front of a home crowd at the Santiago Bernabéu in front of 120,000. Madrid had knocked out Manchester United in the semi final stage over two legs and this time faced Italian side Fiorentina in the final. Marquitos was this time in the No.3 shirt and kept the Italian giants at bay with a clean sheet and a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Di Stefano and Francisco Gento.
The 1958 final was to be the third European cup in a row for the Spanish giants, this time they played Milan in Brussels in front of 67,000. Marquitos didn’t play in the final but had been a major part of the side in their qualifying matches. Madrid ran out 3-2 winners, Di Stefano, Rial and Gento the scorers!
Stuttgart was the venue for the 1959 final and Marquitos was back in action. This time the courageous defender had the No.2 shirt and once again it was against Stade de Reims. 80,000 saw a dominant display from Madrid in which Mateos and the irrepressible Di Stefano got the goals.
After knocking out Barcelona in the semi final, Madrid tore apart Eintracht Frankfurt at the 1960 final at Hampden Park. 135,000 watched a Di Stefano hat-trick and four goals from Puskas as Madrid ran out 7-3 winners. The 1960 display for many is the greatest club side in the world in which Marquitos played right-back.
Marquitos is fondly remembered by Madrid fans for the huge part he played in their success in domestic and european competition, a true galactico legend.
