Atlético Madrid legend Enrique Collar dies at 91

Atlético de Madrid have confirmed the death of their longest-serving captain, the legendary Enrique necklaceat 91 years old.

Born in San Juan de Aznalfarache (Seville), he signed his first professional contract at the age of 18 with … he Atletico Madridthat he gave to Cadiz for season 52/53. He returned to the Metropolitano the following year and after a short period at Real Murcia He returned only to leave the red and white jersey in 1969. During his 470 matches as an Atlético player, he scored 105 goals – he is the fifth player with the most official matches played, tied at the time of publishing this news with Antoine Griezmann— and he also ended up being the captain who wore the armband the longest: ten seasons, from 1960 to 1969.

At that time, Collar “El Niño” became a staple of current football chronicles, always forming an unstoppable duo with Joaquin Peirowith whom he formed the group known as “Ala Infernal”. The left wing of the colchonero attack was theirs at that time, with Peiró as interior and Collar as winger.

The necklace was proclaimed league champion (1965/66), three Generalissimo Cups (1960, 1961 and 1965) and a European Cup Winners’ Cup (1962), all with Atlético. After a final season at Valencia, 69/70, he retired, although two years later he played his last match with the red and whites in a friendly match at the Vicente Calderón against Bayern Munich. Since then, he has maintained his relations with Atlético, where he was president of the Foundation between 2005 and 2011. As a tribute to his career, the club put his image on the membership card for the 2023/24 season.

He was a Spanish international in 16 matches, including twelve friendlies, including one during the 1962 World Cup in Chile, in a match against Pelé’s Brazil which Spain lost 2-1.