Santiago Ezquerro is a former professional footballer from Spain who played as a forward.
Ezquerro played for FC Barcelona from 2005 to 2008, winning La Liga and the UEFA Champions League during his time there.
He had a notable career at Athletic Club, where he became one of Spain's promising forwards.
Biography
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Santiago 'Santi' Ezquerro Marín was born in Calahorra, La Rioja, Spain. He began his football journey in the youth system of CA Osasuna, where he made a significant impact at the age of 16. Ezquerro played two seasons in the Segunda División before moving to Atlético Madrid for the 1996–97 season. He made his La Liga debut on September 21, 1996, in a match against CD Logroñés, although he primarily played for the club's B team during his tenure.
Rise to Prominence
In search of more playing time, Ezquerro transferred to RCD Mallorca in January 1998, helping the team reach the Copa del Rey final in his brief six-month stint. His next move to Athletic Bilbao marked a turning point in his career, where he showcased his talent in the UEFA Champions League and became one of Spain's promising forwards. His standout season in 2004–05 saw him score 19 goals in 47 matches, including a memorable hat-trick against Standard Liège in the UEFA Cup. This performance caught the attention of FC Barcelona, who signed him in 2005.
Barcelona and Later Career
Despite joining one of the world's top clubs, Ezquerro struggled to secure a regular spot in Barcelona's first team, particularly with the rise of Lionel Messi. His time at Barcelona included winning La Liga and the UEFA Champions League in the 2005–06 season. After his stint at Barcelona, he returned to Osasuna, where he played until 2009, before concluding his professional career with CD Calahorra. Ezquerro also earned a cap for the Spanish national team during his time at Athletic, participating in a UEFA Euro 2000 qualifier against Cyprus.
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Career & Clubs
During his debut season for Athletic, Ezquerro won his sole cap for Spain, in a UEFA Euro 2000 qualifier against Cyprus on 5 September 1998, which ended with a 3–2 away loss and the dismissal of manager Javier Clemente.
Osasuna and Atlético Madrid
Born in Calahorra, La Rioja, Ezquerro reached CA Osasuna's youth system aged 16, playing two Segunda División seasons with the Navarrese before signing with Atlético Madrid for the 1996–97 campaign. He made his La Liga debut on 21 September 1996 in a 3–0 away win against CD Logroñés, but was mainly registered with the club's B side during his spell.
Athletic Bilbao
Lack of playing opportunities with the Colchoneros prompted a January 1998 move to RCD Mallorca, which Ezquerro helped to reach the final of the Copa del Rey in his six-month stint. He joined Athletic Bilbao subsequently (meeting the club's self-imposed recruitment criteria due to his period of development at Osasuna), with whom he appeared in his first UEFA Champions League games while establishing himself as one of the most promising forwards in Spain's top flight. His stellar form in 2004–05 – 19 goals in 47 official matches, including a hat-trick in a 7–1 away rout of Standard Liège in the group stage of the UEFA Cup and one in the 3–0 home victory over Real Sociedad in the Basque derby on 9 April 2005– led to FC Barcelona securing his services on a three-year contract that included the possibility of an extension, on a free transfer.
Barcelona
Ezquerro was never able to establish himself in Barcelona's first team, his progress at the club being further hindered after the emergence of youth graduate Lionel Messi. His best league output consisted of 12…
- Club
- FC Barcelona (2005–2008)
- Club
- Atlético Madrid B (1996–1997)
- Club
- Club Atlético Osasuna (1995–1996)
- Club
- Athletic Club (1998–2005)
- Club
- RCD Mallorca (1998–1998)
- Club
- Atlético Madrid (1996–1998)
- Club
- Osasuna B (1994–1995)
- Club
- Club Atlético Osasuna (2008–2009)
- Club
- Spain national under-21 association football team (1996–1996)
- Club
- Spain men's national football team (1998–1998)
- Club
- CD Calahorra
- Club
- Club Atlético Osasuna (1993–1994)
- National team
- Spain
Legacy
Mallorca
Copa del Rey runner-up: 1997–98 Barcelona
La Liga: 2005–06 UEFA Champions League: 2005–06 FIFA Club World Cup runner-up: 2006
Clubs
- Club Atlético Osasuna1993–1994
- Osasuna B1994–1995
- Club Atlético Osasuna1995–1996
- Atlético Madrid1996–1998
- Atlético Madrid B1996–1997
- Spain national under-21 association football team1996–1996
- Athletic Club1998–2005
- RCD Mallorca1998–1998
- Spain men's national football team1998–1998
- FC Barcelona2005–2008
- Club Atlético Osasuna2008–2009
- CD Calahorra1993
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
- Abass LawallAtlético Madrid B · 1997–2000
Abde EzzalzouliClub Atlético Osasuna · 2022–2023- Abde EzzalzouliFC Barcelona · 2021–2023
- Abdelkader OueslatiAtlético Madrid · 2012–2015
- Abdelkader OueslatiAtlético Madrid B · 2010–2014
Abdoul CamaraRCD Mallorca · 2014–2014
Abdoulwhaid SissokoRCD Mallorca · 2015- Abdón PratsRCD Mallorca · 2012–2015
- Abel BuadesCD Calahorra · 2002–2002
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Santiago 'Santi' Ezquerro Marín is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a forward.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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