José Mari Bakero

Spanish attacking midfielder and manager, key figure in Barcelona's Dream Team and Real Sociedad's back-to-back La Liga titles.

José María Bakero Escudero (born 11 February 1963) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played mainly as an attacking midfielder, currently a manager. In a 17-year career, spent mainly with Real Sociedad and Barcelona, he amassed La Liga totals of 483 games and 139 goals, winning a total of 17 titles. A Spain international for seven years, he represented the nation in two World Cups and Euro 1988.

Quick Facts

Full name: José María Bakero Escudero
Born: 11 February 1963
Birthplace: Goizueta, Spain
Height: 1.69 m / 5 ft 7 in
Position: Attacking midfielder
Total caps: 500
Total goals: 142

Lore & Background

Born in Goizueta, Navarre, Bakero made his senior debut with Real Sociedad on 6 September 1980 when only 17, coming from the bench in a 3–2 away loss against Valencia. He finished his debut season with 27 scoreless appearances. Featuring only in two games in 1981–82 due to a serious injury, he was part of the Basque sides that won back-to-back La Liga titles. Bakero then signed for Barcelona, where he was joined by several other Real and Basque players, forming the backbone of the Dream Team. He played 347 competitive matches for Barcelona, scoring 47 league goals in his first four years, and appeared in the historic 1992 European Cup final. After a small abroad stint with Mexico's Veracruz, he retired in 1997.

Reader's Guide

Bakero began his career as a forward but was converted into an attacking midfielder. He possessed passing and scoring ability with both his right foot and his head, despite his short stature, and great leadership skills. He moved into management after retiring, first as an assistant, then as head coach at Málaga's B side, Real Sociedad, Polonia Warsaw, Lech Poznań, Juan Aurich, Deportivo La Guaira (interim), and Slavia Sofia. He also worked as director of football at Real Sociedad and as head of Barcelona's youth academy.

Did You Know?

Bakero earned 30 caps for Spain, scoring 7 goals, and debuted on 14 October 1987 in a Euro 1988 qualifier against Austria.
His 90th-minute header secured Barcelona's qualification in the 1991–92 European Cup after trailing 3–0 at Kaiserslautern.
Bakero was the third of 11 children; his brothers Santiago and Jon were also footballers, and his sister Itziar played internationally.
His son Jon won the Hermann Trophy in 2017 playing college soccer for Wake Forest University.