Butragueño

Position on the field: Forward
Matches played: 463 official games
Goals scored: 171
International appearances for Spain: 69

A legend, a brilliant player who elevated football to the level of art. He created unbelievable dribbles and dreamlike goals. With his talent, football took on another dimension. His nickname was used to name one of the best generations of players in the history of Real Madrid and Spanish football. Together with Sanchís, Míchel, Martín Vázquez, and Pardeza, he led the Quinta del Buitre.

While playing for Castilla, Butragueño began making newspaper headlines. His statistics were spectacular, and Alfredo Di Stéfano called him up to the first team, with which he debuted on February 5, 1984, in Cádiz. He came onto the pitch wearing number 14 and transformed the game. He scored two goals, assisted the third, and Real Madrid won 2-3.

His contribution was decisive in helping the team win the UEFA Cup two years in a row (1985 and 1986). These titles earned him unanimous recognition throughout European football. He won the Bravo Trophy for the best player under 21 in two consecutive editions (1985 and 1986). Alongside Hugo Sánchez, he formed Real Madrid’s frontline for many seasons.

Although not a natural scorer, he won the Pichichi Trophy in the 1990-91 season. With the Spanish national team, Butragueño played 69 matches and created unforgettable moments, such as in the 1986 Mexico World Cup, when he scored four goals against Denmark in the round of 16.

Butragueño bid farewell as a Real Madrid player on June 15, 1995, during a testimonial match against Roma at the Santiago Bernabéu. He departed with words of gratitude for an institution he loved both as a fan and on the pitch, and he continued to love it as a supporter. He currently holds the position of Director of Institutional Relations at Real Madrid.