Javier Irureta
The attacking midfielder who scored in a World Club Cup triumph for Atlético Madrid.
via Wikipedia: Javier Irureta · see source
Javier Iruretagoyena Amiano (born 1 April 1948), Irureta for short, is a Spanish retired football attacking midfielder. He had a distinguished playing career with Atlético Madrid, playing in 344 La Liga games for both Atlético Madrid and Athletic Bilbao combined and scoring 70 goals. During his time at Atlético Madrid he was part of a team that won two La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey, playing alongside the likes of Adelardo, Luis Aragonés and José Eulogio Gárate. The Colchoneros also reached the European Cup final in 1974, and after the winners, Bayern Munich, declined to participate in the Intercontinental Cup, they were invited as runners-up: facing Independiente of Argentina the side won 2–1 on aggregate, with Irureta scoring one of the goals in the 2–0 second-leg home victory.
Quick Facts
- Full name
- Javier Iruretagoyena Amiano
- Born
- 1 April 1948
- Birthplace
- Irun, Spain
- Height
- 1.76 m / 5 ft 9 in
- Position
- Attacking midfielder
- Total caps
- 392
- Total goals
- 84
Lore & Background
Irureta was born in Irun, Gipuzkoa, making his senior debut for local Real Unión in 1965. Two years later he helped them reach the second division play-offs, before joining Atlético Madrid later that year. During his time at the club he was part of a team that won two La Liga titles (1969–70, 1972–73) and a Copa del Rey (1971–72). The Colchoneros also reached the European Cup final in 1974, but after the winners, Bayern Munich, declined to participate in the Intercontinental Cup, they were invited as runners-up: facing Independiente of Argentina the side won 2–1 on aggregate, with Irureta scoring one of the goals in the 2–0 second-leg home victory. After eight seasons at Atlético, Irureta returned to the Basque Country and signed for Athletic Bilbao.
Reader's Guide
As an attacking midfielder, he was part of a golden generation that included Adelardo, Luis Aragonés and José Eulogio Gárate. Together they won La Liga in 1969–70 and 1972–73, and the Copa del Generalísimo in 1971–72. The 1973–74 season saw them reach the European Cup final, losing to Bayern Munich. However, when Bayern declined to play the Intercontinental Cup, Atlético went as runners-up. Irureta scored in the 2–0 second-leg home victory over Independiente, securing the trophy 2–1 on aggregate. After eight seasons and those honours, he returned to the Basque Country to sign for Athletic Bilbao, where he would later add two runners-up medals in 1977 – Spanish and UEFA Cups.
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