Position on the field: Defender
Matches played: 337
Goals scored: 2
International with Uruguay: 25 times
International with Spain: 16 times

An excellent center-back who provided security to the madridista defense in a team that boasted a constellation of stars up front such as Gento, Di Stéfano, Rial and Puskas. He was the bridge between the team of the five European Cups and the Yeyé era. Solid, determined, and tactically aware, he also excelled in aerial play. A central defender of his time who commanded the defense.

Coming from Nacional de Montevideo, Santamaría joined Real Madrid in 1957. In his first season, he won the League authoritatively and the European Cup (the third) in a final held in Brussels against Milan. He later added five more League titles, three European Cups, one Intercontinental Cup, and one Copa de España to his achievements.
 
He played 337 official matches with Madrid in the nine seasons he spent at the club. He became a Spanish citizen a year after joining our team and shone for two different national teams: Uruguay and Spain.

Coaching career
Santamaría retired in 1966 and began his coaching career in the youth divisions of Real Madrid. In 1968, he managed the Spanish Olympic team at the Mexico Games. In 1971, he signed as coach of RCD Espanyol. He held the position for 7 seasons, breaking the record for official matches as the Catalan team's manager (252) and equaling its best historical league finish (third in 72-73). In 1980, he coached the Olympic team at the Moscow Games. That year he was appointed national team coach and led Spain in the World Cup held in our country in 1982. After this competition, he retired from professional football. He passed away on April 15, 2026, at the age of 96.