Rafael Gordillo

Born in Almendralejo, Province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Gordillo moved to Seville, from where his parents were originally, when he was just a few months old. He grew up in the Polígono de San Pablo neighbourhood, and signed with Real Betis in 1972 at the age of 15. On 30 January 1977 he made his first-team and La Liga debut, against Burgos CF, and helped the Andalusians to win the Copa del Rey in his first year. After nine professional seasons with Betis – 12 in total, and another with the reserve side – being named the country's footballer of the year at the end of 1979–80 and appearing in 330 official matches, Gordillo moved to Real Madrid for 1985–86, winning the UEFA Cup in his debut campaign and scoring in the final victory over 1. FC Köln. Gordillo formed a reliable left-wing partnership with José Antonio Camacho during his tenure, playing mainly as a midfielder and being deployed in defence when the latter retired. In 1989's Spanish Cup, he scored the final's only goal against Real Valladolid. Gordillo returned to Betis in 1992 at the age of 35, helping them return to the top division in his second year (totalling 411 appearances across two spells) and retiring after one season with neighbours Écija Balompié, also in the Segunda División. With the latter, he later worked as director of football. In the following decade, Gordillo returned to Betis also in directorial capacities. On 13 December 2010, he was elected the club's president.

Gordillo earned 75 caps and scored three goals for Spain over one decade. His debut came on 29 March 1978, in a friendly 3–0 win over Norway in Gijón. Gordillo went on to represent the country in two FIFA World Cups (1982 and 1986) and three UEFA European Championships (1980, 1984 and 1988, appearing in all the matches but one in the second competition for an eventual runner-up finish).

International goals

Betis

Copa del Rey: 1976–77 Real Madrid

La Liga: 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90 Copa del Rey: 1988–89 Supercopa de España: 1988, 1989, 1990 UEFA Cup: 1985–86 Spain

UEFA European Championship runner-up: 1984 Individual

Don Balón Award: 1979–80 La Liga Team of The Year: 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1983–84