61 years since Pirri's debut
On 8 November 1964, he made his debut in a 4-1 victory for Real Madrid against Barcelona.
Sixty-one years ago, a player who symbolised the Madrid spirit and character like few others made his debut in a Real Madrid jersey: José Martínez Sánchez, Pirri. The club's current honorary president made his debut as a Real Madrid player in a victory against Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu (4-1).
Born in Ceuta on 11 March 1945, Pirri was a multi-talented player. He played both as a defender and midfielder and, when the team needed him to, even as a striker. He joined Real Madrid from Granada at the age of 19 and, after 16 seasons, left an indelible legacy with 561 appearances and 172 goals. During that time, he was part of the Yéyé team that won the sixth European Cup. He also won 10 LaLiga titles and 4 Spanish Cups.
Legacy
Exemplary for his dedication on the pitch, he was the first player to receive one of our club's highest honours: the Laureate. After completing his medical studies, he returned to the club to become the head of Medical Services at Real Madrid. He later served as General Sports Director. For his brilliant career, he was unanimously named Honorary President of Real Madrid at the Extraordinary General Assembly in 2023.