Luis López Rekarte

Born in Mondragón, Basque Country, López Rekarte's first sport was track and field (with a personal best of 10.05 in the 100 metres). He made his professional debut in football with Alavés amidst the massive financial difficulties the club endured, culminating with the relegation to the Segunda División B in 1983. Two years later, he signed with neighbouring Real Sociedad. Forming a defensive quarter with legendary Alberto Górriz, Agustín Gajate and Juan Antonio Larrañaga, López Rekarte started for a side that won the Copa del Rey in 1987. The following year, they emerged runners-up in both domestic competitions. López Rekarte joined Barcelona after losing the 1988 Spanish cup final to the La Liga giants, alongside teammates José Mari Bakero and Txiki Begiristain. Relatively utilised in his first two seasons, he featured rarely in Barça's 1991 league conquest, all but one of his 13 appearances being as a used substitute; his greatest moment with the Catalans came in the final of the 1988–89 Cup Winners' Cup, where he was brought from the bench to close the 2–0 victory. Being a crucial member of a rising Deportivo de La Coruña side soon dubbed Super Depor – he never played less than 25 matches during his spell at the Estadio Riazor – López Rekarte retired in 1997 at the age of 35 after another stint in the Segunda División, now with Mallorca.

López Rekarte had four caps for Spain in 1988, the first coming in a friendly against East Germany on 27 January, in Valencia (0–0).

López Rekarte was the older brother of another professional footballer, Aitor, who also played for Real Sociedad, also being a right-back and an international. His niece, Maitane López, was also involved in the sport. After retiring, he worked as Aitor's agent. He later engaged in mountaineering.

Real Sociedad

Copa del Rey: 1986–87 Barcelona

La Liga: 1990–91 Copa del Rey: 1989–90 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1988–89 Deportivo

Copa del Rey: 1994–95 Supercopa de España: 1995