Spanish football is mourning after the passing of a legendary Galician striker who left an indelible mark on the game and on Real Madrid alike.
The sorrow was felt across the sport as Real Madrid players wore black armbands during the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Liverpool at Anfield, honoring a club icon. The gesture underscored the deep respect within European football for a player who defined an era for the white jersey and for Spanish football as a whole.
Why Real Madrid players wore black armbands against Liverpool and who Amancio Amaro was
News of Amancio Amaro Valera’s death arrived on a Tuesday, marking the end of a remarkable life connected to Real Madrid. The former player and coach, born in La Coruña on October 16, 1939, remained a towering figure in the club’s history. He served Real Madrid as a player for fourteen seasons, beginning in 1962 after standing out with Deportivo de La Coruña, and later contributed as a coach for Castilla, Real Madrid, and the broader organization. His legacy extends beyond the pitch, including his role in identifying the youthful lineup that would become known as La Quinta del Buitre.
Amancio’s impact was felt across generations. In the 1966 European Cup, Madrid secured the title at Heysel Stadium in Brussels with Amancio scoring Madrid’s first goal in a historic victory over Partizan Belgrade. This triumph is often cited as a cornerstone of Real Madrid’s famed ye-ye era. During his time with the club, he lifted nine league titles and three Spanish Cups, amassing 471 appearances and 155 goals, while twice leading the league in scoring.
On the international stage, Amancio earned 42 caps for Spain and helped the national team win the European Championship in 1964 at the Santiago Bernabéu. His influence also extended to the global stage when he was selected for the FIFA World XI that faced Brazil in 1968 at the Maracanã Stadium, a testament to his standing among the world’s elite players of his generation.
(Source: Goal)