He represented the Spain men's national football team from 1960 to 1965, earning 26 caps.
Rivilla was part of the Spain national under-21 team during its first-ever match against Italy in 1959.
Rivilla played for Atlético Madrid from 1954 to 1968, becoming a key player for the team.
Biography
Early Life
Feliciano Muñoz Rivilla was born in Ávila, Castile and León, Spain, in 1936. He began his football journey with local club Real Ávila CF, showcasing his talent from a young age. At just 17, he made a significant move to Real Murcia CF, where he began to make a name for himself in the Segunda División.
Career
Rivilla's professional career took off when he signed with La Liga giants Atlético Madrid in 1954. Initially loaned to Plus Ultra and Rayo Vallecano, he played primarily as a winger before transitioning to a right-back position. His top-flight debut came on September 21, 1958, against Valencia CF, and he quickly established himself as a key player for Atlético. Over the years, he contributed to the team's success, winning two Copa del Generalísimo trophies and the 1966 La Liga title, as well as participating in the victorious UEFA Cup Winners' Cup campaign in 1961-62.
On the international stage, Rivilla earned 26 caps for the Spain national team, debuting in 1960. He played a crucial role in Spain's triumph at the 1964 European Nations' Cup and was part of the squad for the 1966 World Cup. His career was marked by resilience, as he overcame a foot fracture that limited his participation in the 1962 World Cup.
Legacy
After retiring from professional football in 1969, Rivilla remained connected to the sport, working in home appliances and serving as president of Atlético Madrid's veterans association. He passed away on November 6, 2017, at the age of 81 in Madrid. Rivilla's legacy lives on through his contributions to Spanish football and his family's continued involvement in sports, with his grandson Álvaro Muñoz playing professional basketball.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Rivilla won 26 caps for the Spain national team over five years, his debut coming on 10 July 1960 in a 3–1 away friendly win against Peru. He only played once in the 1962 FIFA World Cup due to a foot fracture, but was the starter when the country won the 1964 European Nations' Cup held on home soil. Rivilla was again selected to the 1966 World Cup, being an unused squad member in England. He also took part in the under-21 side's first-ever game, against Italy in 1959.
Born in Ávila, Castile and León, Rivilla started playing football with local Real Ávila CF, moving to Real Murcia CF from Segunda División at the age of 17. At the end of the season he signed with La Liga club Atlético Madrid, who them loaned him for three years to Plus Ultra and Rayo Vallecano, with both teams hailing from the Community of Madrid and competing in the second tier and where he featured mostly as a winger. Rivilla played his first top-flight match with Atlético on 21 September 1958, in a 4–2 away loss against Valencia CF. He scored his first league goal the following 1 February, in a 3–3 away draw with Sevilla FC. Already reconverted to a right back, Rivilla was an undisputed starter for the Colchoneros in the following years, notably winning two Copa del Generalísimo trophies and the 1966 national championship, contributing one goal from 24 appearances to the latter conquest. Additionally, he featured in nine games in the team's victorious campaign in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup of 1961–62. After having Pelé and Santos FC appear at his testimonial match in September 1969, one year after retiring at 32, Rivilla went on to work in home appliance and act as president of Atlético's veterans association.
- Club
- Real Murcia (1953–1954)
- Club
- Real Ávila CF (1952–1953)
- Club
- Rayo Vallecano (1956–1958)
- Club
- Real Madrid Castilla (1955–1956)
- National team
- Spain
- Club
- Atlético Madrid (1954–1968)
- Club
- Spain men's national football team (1960–1965)
- Club
- Spain national under-21 association football team (1959–1959)
Trophies & Awards
- Award
- Patricio Arabolaza Prize
Personal
Rivilla died on 6 November 2017 at the age of 81, in Madrid. His grandson, Álvaro Muñoz, played professional basketball.
Legacy
Atlético Madrid
La Liga: 1965–66 Copa del Generalísimo: 1959–60, 1960–61, 1964–65 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1961–62 Spain
UEFA European Championship: 1964 Individual
UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1964
Clubs
Played together with
Aarón MartínSpain national under-21 association football team
Aarón ÑíguezSpain national under-21 association football team · 2008–2009- Abass LawallAtlético Madrid · 2000–2001
- Abdelkader OueslatiAtlético Madrid · 2012–2015
- Abderrahman KabousReal Murcia · 2008–2009
Abdoulaye BaRayo Vallecano · 2014–2015- Abdoulaye BaRayo Vallecano · 2017–2020
- Abdul MuminRayo Vallecano · 2022–2026
Abdulmajeed Al-SulayhemRayo Vallecano · 2018–2018
Abel Gómez MorenoReal Murcia · 2006–2008- Abel Molinero PonsReal Murcia
Abel ResinoAtlético Madrid · 1986–1995
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Feliciano Muñoz Rivilla was a Spanish professional footballer who played as a right-back.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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