Míchel Salgado

Celta

Born in As Neves, Province of Pontevedra, Galicia, Salgado began his professional career with hometown's RC Celta de Vigo, making his La Liga debut on 22 January 1995 in a 4–0 away loss against Real Madrid. He was loaned for a season to UD Salamanca in the Segunda División, and after his return became the first-choice in his position. Whilst at Celta, Salgado was involved in an incident with Atlético Madrid's Juninho Paulista in February 1998: after a dangerous challenge, the Brazilian was sidelined for six months and missed that year's FIFA World Cup. Salgado scored a career-best three goals in the 1998–99 campaign, helping his team to finish fifth and qualify for the UEFA Cup.

Real Madrid

In 1999, Salgado was purchased by Real Madrid for €11,000,000, playing 29 league games in his first season while also helping the club win the UEFA Champions League. He was the capital side's starter during his first seven years, but was relegated to the bench by former Sevilla FC youngster Sergio Ramos in 2006–07.

Salgado was only able to contribute 16 matches to the Merengues' 30th national title, mainly due to injuries. In the following two campaigns he featured very rarely (only 17 appearances), being sent off in the final game of 2008–09, a 2–1 loss at CA Osasuna on 31 May 2009 as Madrid slumped to a fifth consecutive league defeat. Salgado was released in early August 2009, with the team already midway into pre-season.

Blackburn Rovers

Salgado…

Salgado won the first of his 53 caps for Spain on 5 September 1998, in an infamous 3–2 loss in Cyprus for the UEFA Euro 2000 qualifiers. He was part of the nation's squads at Euro 2000 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Due to last-minute injuries, Salgado missed out on the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004. He also represented the Galician autonomous side, which he later coached alongside Deportivo de La Coruña's Fran. On 4 September 2018, Salgado was named assistant manager to the Egyptian national team. In June 2024, following rumours that he would be taking over TFF First League club Sakaryaspor, he became head coach of the Saudi Arabia under-15 national team.

Club

International

Salgado married Malula Sanz, daughter of former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz, on 5 July 2000. They have three children, daughter Malu (born 2003) and sons Miguel (2005) and Alán (2009). Malu is a singer, while her brothers are also footballers. Salgado is brother-in-law of former Real Madrid players Fernando Sanz and Paco Sanz, as well as of basketball player Lorenzo Sanz Jr. He is an avid chess fan.