Emilio Butragueño


Emilio Butragueño Santos is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a striker.
He was best known for his spell with Real Madrid. Nicknamed El Buitre, he was a member of the La Quinta del Buitre along with Manolo Sanchís, Rafael Martín Vázquez, Míchel and Miguel Pardeza.
Butragueño scored 123 La Liga goals in 341 games for his main club over 12 seasons, and represented the Spain national team in two World Cups and as many European Championships, scoring 26 goals for his country in a record that stood for several years.
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Club career

In 1981, Madrid-born Butragueño joined the Real Madrid youth system, playing first for their reserves before being given his senior debut by Alfredo Di Stéfano on 5 February 1984 against Cádiz CF: he made an instant impact, scoring twice and assisting for the third goal in a 3–2 away turnaround, after Real trailed by 2–0. On 12 December that year he made his European competition debut, contributing with a hat-trick to a 6–1 home victory over R.S.C. Anderlecht in the third round of the UEFA Cup after the 3–0 loss in Brussels, as the Spaniards went on to win the competition.
At the time, Real Madrid's form was so patchy the first team's attendances were smaller than those of the reserve side. Butragueño was a part of their transformation, being a prominent member of the squad during the 1980s and winning numerous honours: he received the European Bronze award for best footballer in two consecutive years, and was awarded the Pichichi Trophy in 1991, while also being instrumental in the capital club's five La Liga trophies, two Copa del Rey and two consecutive UEFA Cups.
In June 1995, having lost his place, mainly due to the emergence of 17-year-old Raúl, Butragueño signed for Atlético Celaya in Mexico and, in his first year, the team reached the final of the Liga MX. After three seasons where he was known as the Gentleman of the Pitch – never receiving a single red card during his entire career – he decided to retire in April 1998.

International career

Butragueño earned 69 caps for Spain, and scored 26 goals. His debut came on 17 October 1984 against Wales in a 1986 FIFA World Cup qualifier, and he closed the 3–0 win in Seville. He had already been picked as an uncapped player for the UEFA Euro 1984 tournament, where his team finished runners-up.
Butragueño was also selected for the 1986 World Cup where he played a major part, scoring four goals as Spain beat Denmark 5–1 in the round-of-16 match. He also took part in the 1990 edition in Italy, scoring no goals in four games.
Butragueño left the national team after playing two games in the 1994 World Cup qualifiers, aged 29. His last appearance was on 18 November 1992, in a 0–0 draw with the Republic of Ireland.

Style of play

Widely regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation, Butragueño was known for his intelligence, movement and finishing ability on the pitch.

Post-retirement and other ventures

On 19 October 2004, Butragueño replaced former Real Madrid teammate Jorge Valdano as the club's director of football and, until the end of the 2005–06 season, also served as its vice-president. Subsequently, he acted as head of public relations for the organisation.
Still as a player, Butragueño had a computer game with his name released in 1988, for the Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum and MSX.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
117 October 1984Benito Villamarín, Seville, Spain3–03–01986 World Cup qualification
223 January 1985Rico Pérez, Alicante, Spain2–03–1Friendly
323 January 1985Rico Pérez, Alicante, Spain3–03–1Friendly
419 February 1986Martínez Valero, Elche, Spain1–03–0Friendly
526 March 1986Ramón de Carranza, Cádiz, Spain1–03–0Friendly
67 June 1986Tres de Marzo, Guadalajara, Mexico1–02–11986 FIFA World Cup
718 June 1986La Corregidora, Querétaro, Mexico1–15–11986 FIFA World Cup
818 June 1986La Corregidora, Querétaro, Mexico2–15–11986 FIFA World Cup
918 June 1986La Corregidora, Querétaro, Mexico4–15–11986 FIFA World Cup
1018 June 1986La Corregidora, Querétaro, Mexico5–15–11986 FIFA World Cup
1115 October 1986Niedersachsenstadion, Hanover, Germany1–02–2Friendly
1218 February 1987Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain1–02–4Friendly
1323 September 1987Nou Castalia, Castellón, Spain2–02–0Friendly
141 June 1988El Helmántico, Villares de la Reina, Spain1–01–3Friendly
1511 June 1988Niedersachsenstadion, Hanover, Germany2–13–2UEFA Euro 1988
1612 October 1988Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville, Spain1–01–1Friendly
1716 November 1988Benito Villamarín, Seville, Spain2–02–01990 World Cup qualification
1821 December 1988Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville, Spain2–04–01990 World Cup qualification
1915 November 1989Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville, Spain2–04–01990 World Cup qualification
2028 March 1990La Rosaleda, Málaga, Spain2–02–3Friendly
2126 May 1990Bežigrad, Ljubljana, Yugoslavia1–01–0Friendly
2210 October 1990Benito Villamarín, Seville, Spain1–02–1Euro 1992 qualifying
2319 December 1990Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville, Spain3–09–0Euro 1992 qualifying
2419 December 1990Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville, Spain5–09–0Euro 1992 qualifying
2519 December 1990Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville, Spain7–09–0Euro 1992 qualifying
2619 December 1990Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville, Spain8–09–0Euro 1992 qualifying

Honours

Real Madrid B
Real Madrid
Spain
Spain Under-21
Individual