Salomón Rondón was sold to avoid a plant
Málaga had qualified for the Champions League but the players, who had been without payment for nine months, stood up and threatened to make a squad. Before a summer tour of Italy and Greece, Solomon was taken off the bus because he was being transferred to Rubin Kazan for 10 million euros. With that money, the players got paid. And they played. Now he is at Dalian in China and wants to retire at Malaga.
Photo:
Jorge Zapata
DAILY AS
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Manuel Pellegrini, the miracle from the bench.
The Chilean coach led a tense group because he did not charge to the glory of the Champions. He convinced the footballers, supporters of leaving, that the only way to get their money was by winning matches in the highest competition. And the team reached the quarterfinals. Train West Han United.
Photo:
LLUIS GENE
AFP
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Isco Alarcón, the magician
His signing for seven million euros was considered crazy. Manuel Pellegrini polished it and the one from Benalmádena uncovered the jar of its essences. AS qualified him with four spades on the day of his prodigious exhibition against Zenit de San Petesburgo. Against Porto in the round of 16 he gave another recital. Real Madrid signed him for 28 million euros.
Photo:
Jorge Guerrero
AFP
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Roque Santa Cruz, Guarani wisdom
At 38 years of age, he continues to play for Olimpia de Asunción. Author of the historic goal that gave Malaga a pass to the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Sacrificed, generous and hard-working. Another who wants to live on the Costa del Sol when he retires.
Photo:
Jorge Guerrero
AFP
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Julio Baptista: wants to be coach of Málaga
His seven goals in the 2010-11 season helped Málaga avoid relegation. His magical Chilean goal against Getafe is still remembered. The injuries weighed down on him. In the summer of 2013 after rescinding, he went to Cruzeiro. Now he trains the youth of Valladolid and they say he has a future on the benches. Someday he would like to coach Málaga
Photo:
ANDER GILLENEA
AFP
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Weligton, the marshal
He came to Malaga in 2007 from the Grasshoppers in Zurich and became indisputable as a left-handed central defender. He was a forceful defender, agile on the court and who had epic duels with Leo Messi. He didn't score many goals but he was good at Sporting. After his retirement from football, he alternates between Brazil and Malaga where he runs an exquisite hamburger restaurant.
Photo:
Jorge Guerrero
AFP
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Willy Caballero, the wall
He came from Elche in 2010-11 in a year where Málaga had already used four goalkeepers (Asenjo, Rubén, Galato and Arnau). He took over the position and became an undisputed idol of the fans. The journalist Paco Cañete considers him the best Malaguista goalkeeper of all time, along with Deusto and Koke Contreras. He is still active at Chelsea.
Photo:
CRISTINA QUICLER
AFP
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Eliseu, the express of the Azores
Born in Angra do Heroismo (Azores Islands), he was a winger as fast as he was fickle. Pellegrini was widely criticized when he placed him on the left side. But that made him a better footballer and consolidated him in the Portugal team. Memorable his goals in Brussels to Anderlecht and the one scored in Dortmund to Borussia. At 38 he is without a team.
Photo:
ALESSANDRO GAROFALO
REUTERS
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Jérémy Toulalan, ‘le monsieur’
Signed for eleven million from Olympique de Lyon, he is one of the players that I remember the best among the fans because he did not stop running and recovering balls, in addition to his humility. Technically he was very well endowed. After leaving the Girondins de Bordeaux, he retired.
Photo:
David Ramos
Getty Images
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Apoño, the fickle genius
Without a doubt, one of the best players to have played at Málaga. I would have risen to the top if I had been more disciplined and consistent at work. He was an 'all-field player' by race. Technique, power … he had it all but he had plenty of character. Pellegrini dispensed with him after a tremendous altercation they had in Seville. Play at El Palo.
Photo:
MARIANO POZO
DAILY AS
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Joaquín, where he goes he triumphs
He only spent two seasons at Malaga but he has earned a privileged place in its history. Scored Dortmund 0-1 and every match was a festival. The feint and the sprint as they called him at Betis where he returned and is still at the top.
Photo:
INA FASSBENDER
REUTERS
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Martín Demichelis, the spiritual leader
He came from Bayern losing money and that is why he rebelled against the defaults of Mr. Al Thani. He was a formidable central defender. A difficult wall to overcome. After a disagreement with the fans in a match against Alavés, he decided to retire. Train in the youth team of Bayern Munich.
Photo:
INA FASSBENDER
REUTERS
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Doubt. The silk left-handed
He arrived from Portugal when he was just 20 years old and it was difficult for him to get a position. The arrival of Juande gave him confidence and consolidated his career. A player with excellent ball hitting, he is the author of the last Olympic goal for Málaga and one of its historical figures. Today he runs his academy.
Photo:
INA FASSBENDER
REUTERS
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Santi Cazorla, the most expensive signing
Malaga paid Villarreal 22 million euros for him in what is still their most expensive signing. Player of extraordinary quality. He remembers his great free-kick against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. He never adapted and was transferred to Arsenal. At 34 he has revived at Villarreal.
Photo:
JON NAZCA
REUTERS
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Ignacio Camacho, the roadrunner
He came from Atlético and it was difficult for him to convince Pellegrini. In the end he became essential and even made his debut with the national team. He wouldn't stop running and was an excellent header on set pieces. He's at Wolfsburg.
Photo:
OLIVIER MORIN
AFP
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Fabrice Olinga, the youngest scorer
At 16 years and 98 days, he is still the youngest scorer in the First Division. Pellegrini lined him up against Panathinaikos in the Champions League desperate because Al Thani didn't bring him a striker. He was transferred to the Belgian Waregen for 500,000 euros and is now in the Mouscrom.
Photo:
Jorge Guerrero
AFP
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Abdullah Ghub, from talkative vice president to ousted
First Vice Chairman and CEO of Al Thani. Talkative and seductive, he said without shame that the sheik had “150 million euros to pay Messi's clause” or that Málaga “would only be sold for a trillion.” He promoted the signing of Isco but later fell out of favor. It was never known again.
Photo:
MARIANO POZO
DAILY AS
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Abdullah Al Thani: Málaga played that Champions League despite themselves
Abdullah Al Thani has gone from exciting the fans to completely depressing them. Malaga was on the verge not only of not playing that Champions League but of being relegated for non-payments while he hid in Qatar. A judge has stopped this deterioration by ceasing her from her duties and appointing a judicial administrator.
Photo:
MARIANO POZO
DAILY AS
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