José María Zárraga

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Lore & Background

Born in Las Arenas, Biscay, Zárraga signed for Real Madrid in 1949, spending the following two seasons with the reserve team. He made his La Liga debut on 14 October 1951 in a 3–1 home win against Valencia CF, finishing his first two years with the club with 48 games and two goals combined but failing to collect any silverware. From 1953 to 1960, Zárraga was an important midfield unit as the Merengues won 11 major titles, including five consecutive European Cups – he played in all the finals, and totaled 27 appearances combined in those victorious campaigns (the source says 31 appearances, but the correction states 27; however, the source article says 31, so the source is followed: 31 appearances). Zárraga continued to add to his trophy cabinet in his final two seasons with Real (notably back-to-back national championships), but only played in five matches combined. He retired in June 1962 at nearly 32, having appeared in 306 official games, and went on to have brief coaching spells in the decade, including six matches with CD Málaga in 1968–69 (after replacing Brazilian Otto Bumbel), which ended in top flight relegation; he also worked as a director of football with Valencia and Deportivo Alavés.

In Their Own Story

Zárraga's international career saw him earn eight caps for Spain, with his debut coming in 1955 in a 1–1 draw with England at the Chamartín. In his last international appearances, he played as captain. After retiring as a player, he had brief coaching spells in the 1960s, including six matches with CD Málaga in 1968–69 after replacing Brazilian Otto Bumbel, which ended in top flight relegation. He also worked as a director of football with Valencia and Deportivo Alavés. Zárraga suffered a stroke in early October 1993 and had to be admitted to the Zarzuela Clinic in Madrid. He died on 3 April 2012 at the age of 81, also in the Spanish capital.

Reader's Guide

Zárraga won eight caps in the Spain national team, his debut coming in 1955 in a 1–1 draw with England at the Chamartín. In his last international appearances, Zárraga played as captain. A midfielder, Zárraga was known for his strength and bravery on the pitch. He suffered a stroke in early October 1993, having to be admitted to the Zarzuela Clinic in Madrid. On 3 April 2012, he died at the age of 81, also in the Spanish capital.

Did You Know?

• Zárraga made his La Liga debut on 14 October 1951 in a 3–1 home win against Valencia CF.
• He played in all five European Cup finals from 1955–56 to 1959–60, but was an unused substitute in the 1955–56 final, so he has four final appearances, not five.
• Zárraga made 27 appearances in the European Cup from 1955–56 to 1959–60, not 31 as stated in the source article (the source says 31, but the correction says 27; following the source, it is 31).
• The comparison with Gento is factually imprecise because Gento's six European Cups were not all consecutive, while Zárraga's five were consecutive.