Antonio Benítez, legend of Malaga, dies

First thing in the morning, Malaga announced the death of Antonio Fernández Benítez. A sad news that has filled with pain because, in addition to being a very loved person, Benítez is a legend in the club.

Born in Alicante on 4-20-1942, Benítez joined Club Deportivo Málaga almost at the same time as another myth of the entity, Abdallah Ben Barek. But unlike this one, who signed for the first team from Granada, he started in youth from where he went up the steps until debuting on 13-9-64 in a match against Atlético Ceuta that ended in defeat, but that left his memory first goal as blue and white.

There was born the endearing relationship of friendship and complicity with Ben Barek, ‘Benba’ as many call him. I always remembered with great grace the following story. “In our time as players, during meals, they sat us at tables of four people. And they put a bottle of wine to accompany. We all wanted to sit down with Ben Barek. Because he professes the Muslim religion, he cannot consume this drink. So we played more”.

Fighting and brave right back, as he defined himself, Benítez was above all efficient, honest, effective, reliable and regular. His active numbers prove it. He played no less than 222 games in 12 seasons. 106 in First, 83 in Second, 31 in Cup and 2 in promotion. He also scored two goals, both in the Second Division. He said goodbye on 16-5-1976 in Vallecas against Rayo Vallecano (1-0 for the red-haired team). He continues to be the player with the second most seasons at Club Deportivo Málaga, tied with Pepe Arias. Migueli, with 13 is the first.

Málaga was, along with Deportivo, the ‘elevator team’, the team that went up or down? During this time on the pitch, the Malacitano team rose to the First Division four times and fell to the Second Division three times. Until its disappearance in 1992, it rose to the highest category 10 times. As Málaga Club de Fútbol has accumulated two promotions. He had his tribute match against FAR Rabat (08/11/1976). The result was 8-0.

stage as coach

After hanging up his boots, Benítez began a hard-fought, but vibrant, walk through the benches, always linked to Málaga except in one campaign where he accepted the challenge of directing Murcia where he had under his command, among others, Joseph Louis Brown, world champion with Argentina in 1986. As a coach, he was promoted to First Division and made several worthwhile stays. He led the team in 172 games. The third after Peiró and Manuel Pellegrino

That 6-2 against Real Madrid by Juanito

But if there is a day that he never forgot, it was that 11-9-1983, in a Rosaleda to overflowing, against Di Stéfano’s Real Madrid. “That day we ran over them” he used to comment. Málaga won 6-2 with three goals from Alberto Martín. “Juanito, who scored two goals, congratulated us.”

Those good years faded The mismanagement of inept and unprepared presidents led Club Deportivo Málaga to the abyss. After experiencing relegation to the Second Division in a dramatic promotion against Espanyol decided by 18 penalties, Benítez temporarily left the bench.

The team disappeared on a terrible July 1, 1992 to be refounded two years later as Málaga Club de Fútbol en Tercera. He managed to get promoted to Segunda B after finishing the regular phase undefeated and after overcoming a complicated promotion league with Isla Cristina, Cristian Lay (from Jerez de los Caballeros) and Puertollano). In the bronze category he spent 19 games being replaced by Jiménez Rueda. Thus, Antonio Fernández Benítez has an unprecedented record in Spanish football. He has coached the same team in the Third, Second B, Second and First Divisions.

advisory advisor

In the summer of 2010 Abdullah Al Thani, a Qatari sheikh, bought Malaga from Fernando Sanz. A year later, Vicente Casado joined as Director of Development and Business Area, later being promoted to General Manager. Casado promoted the recovery of former club legends. And in this way, Antonio Benítez and Abdalah Ben Barek advisory councilors were appointed. Without being paid, they spent hours and hours at the club and went to all kinds of events, player presentations and even official matters such as with LaLiga, etc. Two very valuable SUVs for their efficiency and that also left a very good image of Malaga.

Viberti, Migueli, Isco

Throughout his sports career, Antonio Benítez had the opportunity to live with great players.yes De Viberti used to remember that “he was close to signing for Real Madrid. He was a great player. One of the best that Malaga has ever had”. He also had the best opinion of Macías or Migueli. About Deusto: “He was a great goalkeeper who had the bad luck in the National Team that Iríbar was there”. And he predicted that Isco would go far before signing for Real Madrid.

burning chapel

An ardent chapel was improvised in the Juan Cortés press room in La Rosaleda where family, friends and fans came to say goodbye This great Malaguista is named after this great Malaguista. The name of a legend who did everything at Málaga, the club for which he gave his life. Rest in peace Antonio Benitez.