Soccer Memories-Part 65- Spain national Team’s Once-Cap Wonders of the 1990s)

 

I look back at the history of the Spain National Team players who made a solitary appearance for the National Team in the 1990s.

 

The aim is to look upon the reason, background and circumstances why a certain player was selected for a match but never again.

 

Presentation of the one-capped players for Spain in the decade of the 1990s:

 

Ernesto ‘Valverde’ Tejedor

26-year-old Athletic Bilbao striker Ernesto ‘Valverde’ Tejedor made his only appearance vs. Iceland in a Euros Qualifier on October 10^th, 1990, at Sevilla (2-1 win). He replaced Carlos in the 71^st minute.

He made his debut with Alaves in 1982, before joining Sestao for a one season spell (1985/86).

He joined RCD Espanol in 1986, with the club he qualified for the UEFA Cup in his first season and reached the Final of the UEFA Cup in 1988 (losing to Bayer Leverkusen).

He joined Barcelona in 1988 with new manager Johann Cruyff in charge. In his two seasons there, he did not convince him and joined Athletic Bilbao in 1990.

He remained with Bilbao until 1996, before a final season with Real Mallorca (1996/97 and retiring.

Since his playing career, he has had a relatively successful career with Athletic Bilbao as well as Barcelona (winning the League titles of 2018 and 2019).

 

 

Photo From: Don Balon-Extra Liga 8990

(Ernesto ‘Valverde’ Tejedor)

‘Juan Carlos’ Rodríguez Moreno

26-year-old Atletico Madrid defender (left back) ‘Juan Carlos’ Rodríguez Moreno made his only appearance vs. Romania in a Friendly on April 17^th, 1991, at Caceres (0-2 Loss). He was replaced by Gabriel Moya in the 83^rd minute.

This would be Luis Suarez’s last match in charge and ‘Juan Carlos’ Rodríguez Moreno would be Luis Suarez’s last one-cap wonder.

Juan Carlos started with Real Valladolid in 1984 and remained until 1987. In 1987, he joined Atletico Madrid, winning the 1991 Copa Del Rey.

He joined Johann Cruyff’s Barcelona in 1991 and in his three years there, he won three League titles and the 1992 Champions League.

In 1994, he joined Valencia for one season (1994/95) before rejoining Valladolid in 1995 and retiring in 1999.

 

 

Photo From: Don Balon-Extra Liga 9091

(‘Juan Carlos’ Rodríguez Moreno)

Alberto ‘Berto’ Martinez Diaz

28-year-old Real Oviedo midfielder Alberto ‘Berto’ Martinez Diaz made his only appearance vs. Uruguay in a Friendly on September 4^th, 1991, at his home stadium at Oviedo (2-1 win). He replaced Manolo in the 56^th minute.

This was Vicente Miera’s first match in charge and Berti would be his first one-cap wonder.

Berto started with Caudal in 1981, before joining Real Oviedo in 1984. He remained with Oviedo for 15 years until 1999.

He saw out his career with spells at Ponferradina (1999 through 2001), Aguilas (2001 through 2003) and Astur (2003/04).

 

Photo From: Don Balon-Extra Liga 9192

(Alberto ‘Berto’ Martinez Diaz)

Ignacio ‘Conte’ Crespo

22-year-old Sevilla midfielder Ignacio ‘Conte’ Crespo made his only appearance vs. Czechoslovakia in a Euros Qualifier on October 13^th, 1991, at his home stadium at Sevilla’s Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán (2-1 win). He replaced Gabriel Moya in the 60^th minute.

This was Vicente Miera’s last one-cap wonder.

Conte started with Betis B in 1986 before joining crosstown rivals Sevilla in 1989.

He left Sevilla in 1993, joining Tenerife (1993 through 1997) and then joined Racing Santander (1997/98)

He saw out his career with spells at Hercules (1998 through 2000), and Laguna (2004/05).

 

Photo From: Don Balon-Extra Liga 9192

(Ignacio ‘Conte’ Crespo)

Andoni ‘Imaz’ Garmendia

21-year-old Real Sociedad midfielder Andoni ‘Imaz’ Garmendia made his only appearance vs. Mexico in a Friendly on January 27^th, 1993, at Las Palmas (1-1 tie).

He was Javier Clemente’s first one-cap wonder.

Imaz started with Real Sociedad in 1991 and remained with the club until 1998. In 1998, he joined Athletic Bilbao and retired in 2002.

 

Photo From: Don Balon-Extra Liga 9293

(Andoni ‘Imaz’ Garmendia)

‘Inigo Larrainzar’ Santamaria

26-year-old Athletic Bilbao defender (right back) ‘Inigo Larrainzar’ Santamaria made his only appearance vs. Portugal in a Friendly on January 19^th, 1994, at Vigo (2-2 tie).

Inigo Larrainzar’ started with Osasuna in 1990 and remained with the club until 1993. In 1993, he joined Athletic Bilbao and remained with the club for a decade until 2003.

He saw out his career with a spell at Cordoba (2003 through 2005).

 

Photo From: Don Balon-Extra Liga 9394

(‘Inigo Larrainzar’ Santamaria)

‘Sebastian Chano’ Cruzado Fernandez

28-year-old Tenerife midfielder ‘Sebastian Chano’ Cruzado Fernandez made his only appearance vs. Poland in a Friendly on February 9^th, 1994, at home at Santa Cruz de Tenerife (1-1 tie).

Chano started with Real Betis in 1984 and remained with the club until 1991. In 1991, he joined Tenerife and remained with the club until 1999.

He saw out his career with a spell in Portugal at Benfica (1999 through 2001).

 

Photo From: Don Balon-Extra Liga 9394

(‘Sebastian Chano’ Cruzado Fernandez)

Julen ‘Lopetegui’ Argote

27-year-old Logroňes goalkeeper Julen ‘Lopetegui’ Argote made his only appearance vs. Croatia in a Friendly on March 23^rd, 1994, at Valencia (0-2 loss) (though he did not concede the goals).

He replaced Andoni Zubizarreta in the 66th minute. He was most likely given playing time as Zubizarreta was to be suspended for the first match in the 1994 World Cup.

Lopetegui made his debut at Real Madrid nursery side Castilla in 1985. He only played one match for the Real Madrid senior side. During his stay at Real Madrid, he was loaned for one season to Las Palmas (1988/89).

He left Real Madrid in 1991 to join Logroňes. He joined Barcelona in 1994 but made only a handful of appearances in three seasons there. He left in 1997 to join Rayo Vallecano and retire in 2002.

He managed Portuguese side Porto and the Spanish National Team at U-19, U-20 and U-21 levels before being appointed the National Team manager in 2016.

He was famously sacked while at the World Cup in Russia in 2018 as he had signed a contract with Real Madrid.

He was sacked at Real Madrid after a few months in 2018. He later managed Sevilla (2019 through 2022) and English side Wolverhampton Wanderers (2022-2023).

 

Photo From: Don Balon-Extra Liga 9394

(Julen ‘Lopetegui’ Argote)

 

‘Pier Luigi Cherubino

22-year-old (days short of 23) Sporting Gijón striker ‘Pier Luigi Cherubino made his only appearance vs. FYR Macedonia in a Euros Qualifier on October 12^th, 1994, at Skopje (2-0 win). He replaced Julio Salinas in the 46th minute.

‘Pier Luigi Cherubino started with Tenerife in 1990 and remained with the club until 1994. In 1994, he joined Sporting Gijon for one season (1994/95) and then joined Real Betis (1995 through 1997).

He then had a one-season spell at Real Zaragoza (1997/98) before rejoining Tenerife in 1998, remaining three until 2002.

He saw out his career with spells at Extremadura (2002), Terrassa (2002/03), Laguna (2003 through 2005), Ersperanza (2005/06) and Alcala (2006/07).

 

Photo From: Don Balon-Extra Liga 9394

(‘Pier Luigi Cherubino)

Sebastiano ‘Losada’ Bestard

27-year-old Celta Vigo striker Sebastiano ‘Losada’ Bestard made his only appearance vs. Uruguay in a Friendly on January 18^th, 1995, at La Coruña (2-2 tie).

He replaced Juan Antonio ‘Pizzi’ Torroija in the 46th minute.

Sebastiano ‘Losada’ Bestard started out with Real Madrid in the early 80s. He was loaned to RCD Espanol in 1987, in his one season there (1987/88), the side reached the UEFA Cup Final, losing to Bayer Leverkusen.

He returned to Real Madrid but did not make many appearances there. He joined Atletico Madrid (1991/92) and then Sevilla (1992/93) before his spell at Celta Vigo (1993 through 1995) and retiring aged 27.

 

 

Photo From: Don Balon-Extra Liga 9394

(Sebastiano ‘Losada’ Bestard)

Aitor ‘Karanka’ de la Hoz

21-year-old Athletic Bilbao defender Aitor ‘Karanka’ de la Hoz made his only appearance vs. Armenia in a Euros Qualifier on April 26^th, 1995, at Yerevan (2-0 win).

Aitor ‘Karanka’ de la Hoz started with Athletic Bilbao in 1993 and remained with the club until 1997. In 1997, he joined Real Madrid and remained with the club until 2002.

He returned to Athletic Bilbao in 2002 and was there until 2006. He saw out his career with a spell in the MLS with Colorado rapids (2006).

He has since managed English sides like Middlesbrough, Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City among other teams.

 

Photo From: Don Balon-Extra Liga 9394

(Aitor ‘Karanka’ de la Hoz)

Santiago ‘Ezquerro’ Marin

21-year-old Athletic Bilbao striker Santiago ‘Ezquerro’ Marin made his only appearance vs. Cyprus in a Euros Qualifier on September 5^th, 1998, at Larnaca (2-3 loss).

He replaced Joseba ‘Etxeberria’ Lizardi in the 60^th minute.

He was Javier Clemente’s last one-cap wonder. Clemente was sacked shortly after this match.

Santiago ‘Ezquerro’ Marin started with Osasuna in 1995 and then joined Atletico Madrid in 1996. During his two years at Atletico, he was loaned to Real Mallorca.

In 1998, he joined Atheltic Bilbao and remained with the club until 2005. In 2005, he joined Barcelona and remained with the club until 2008.

He saw out his career with a last season at his original club Osasuna (2008/09).

Photo From: Panini Euro Super Clubs 1999

(Santiago ‘Ezquerro’ Marin)

Antonio ‘Ito’ Alvarez  Perez  

23-year-old Real Betis midfielder Antonio ‘Ito’ Alvarez Perez made his only appearance vs. Russia in a Friendly on September 23^rd, 1998, at Granada (1-0 win).

He replaced Raul in the 89^th minute.

This Jose Antonio Camacho’s first match in charge and Ito was his first one-cap wonder.

Antonio ‘Ito’ Alvarez Perez started with Extremadura in 1991 and remained with the club until 1997. In 1997, he joined Celta Vigo for one season (1997/98) and then joined Real Betis in 1998. He remained at Betis until 2004.

He saw out his career with spells at RCD Espanyol (2004 through 2007), Cordoba (2007 through 2009) and Cacereño (2009/10).

 

Photo From: Don Balon-Extra Liga 9697

(Antonio ‘Ito’ Alvarez Perez)

‘Marcos Vales’ Illanes

23-year-old Real Zaraagoza midfielder ‘Marcos Vales’ Illanes made his only appearance vs. Israel in a Euros Qualifier on October 14^th, 1998, at Tel Aviv (2-1 win).

He replaced Raul in the 90^th minute.

‘Marcos Vales’ Illanes started with Deportivo La Coruña in 1993 and after a year joined Sporting Gijon in 1994.

He remained with Gijon until 1997 before joining Real Zaragoza. He was at Zaragoza until 2002 before spells with Sevilla (2002 through 2004) and Real Mallorca (2004/05).

 

 

Photo From: Don Balon-Extra Liga 9697

(‘Marcos Vales’ Illanes)

Juan Gines ‘Sanchez’ Moreno

26-year-old Celta Vigo striker Juan Gines ‘Sanchez’ Moreno made his only appearance vs. Italy in a Friendly on November 18^th, 1998, at Salerno (2-2 tie).

He replaced Ismael ‘Urzaiz’ Aranda in the 79^th minute.

He was Jose Antonio Camacho’s last one-cap wonder.

Juan Gines ‘Sanchez’ Moreno started with Valencia in 1992. During his two years there, he was loaned one season to Real Mallorca (1993/94).

In 1994, he joined Celta Vigo, remaining with the club until 1999. He rejoined Valencia in 1999 and won two League titles (2002, 2004) and the UEFA Cup (2004).

He rejoined Celta Vigo in 2004, before retiring in 2006.

Photo From: Don Balon-Extra Liga 9697

(Juan Gines ‘Sanchez’ Moreno)