Amancio Amaro

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Amancio began his career aged 15 at local side Victoria. In the 1958–59 season, he joined Deportivo de La Coruña, which at that time was in the Spanish second division. He was signed by Real Madrid in June 1962. He made his debut in European competition against Anderlecht and in the league against Real Betis. He played in one European Cup final (1966), winning that edition with a goal in the final against Partizan. He won nine La Liga titles and the Pichichi in 1969 and 1970. He retired in 1976 and later served as a coach, board member, and honorary president of Real Madrid.

In Their Own Story

The 1966 European Cup Final at Heysel Stadium in Brussels. Partizan's Velibor Vasović scored the first goal of the match. Amancio drew level twenty minutes from the end, after collecting a signature pass, faking out a defender and skillfully booting the ball past the Yugoslav keeper Milutin Šoškić. Five minutes later, a thunderous shot by teammate Serena from 30 metres out settled the game. It was Amancio's first and only European Cup winner's medal.

Reader's Guide

Amancio is a legendary winger known for his skill and goal-scoring. He was a key part of Real Madrid's 'Yé-Yé' team that won the 1966 European Cup. He also won the 1964 European Championship with Spain. His career spanned from 1958 to 1976.

Did You Know?

• Amancio was nicknamed 'El Brujo' (The Wizard).
• He scored the equalizer in the 1966 European Cup final against Partizan.
• He won the Pichichi trophy for top scorer in La Liga in back-to-back seasons (1969 and 1970).
• He was appointed honorary president of Real Madrid in 2022.