Luis Enrique Martínez García

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Olympic medal record
Competitor for  Spain
Men's Football
Gold	1992 Barcelona	Team Competition

Luis Enrique, full name Luis Enrique Martínez García (born May 8, 1970 in Gijon) is a former Spanish footballer. He was notable for his versatility, as he played in all positions throughout his career, except central defender and goalkeeper. Despite being mainly a central midfielder/sid midfielder, Luis Enrique was a prolific goalscorer throughout his career.

After starting his career with Sporting de Gijón in 1989, Luis Enrique spent most of it with the two biggest Spanish clubs: first Real Madrid in 1991-96, and then he stunned Madrid by seeing out his contract and moving to fierce rivals Barcelona on a free transfer. The Catalan club's supporters were at first understandably hesitant about their new acquisition, but he soon won the culés heart, staying eight years with the club (1996-2004), and even becoming first team captain.

He played for Spain in three World Cups: 1994, 1998, and 2002 (as well as Euro 96) and accumulated 62 caps, scoring 12 goals in his international career. He was also a member of the gold winning squad at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

On August 10th, 2004, at the age of 34, Luis Enrique announced his retirement, feeling that he could no longer keep up to the standards he set for himself. He was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004.

After retiring from football he was living for a while in Australia to practice surf there. He took part in the 2005 edition of the New York City Marathon. He also finished the Amsterdam Marathon in 2006, the Firenze Marathon in 2007, the Marathon des Sables in 2008. He also finished the Frankfurt Ironman in 2007.

He was supposed to take part in the Klagenfurt Ironman in July 2008 but he will not because he is going to beging to work as a trainer for FC Barcelona B.

It is reported from Spanish daily Marca that he has held talks with Barcelona over the position of assistant coach as the current assistant coach Johan Neeskens is set to leave the club.

[edit] External links

• Luis Enrique's personal blog
• Enrique at FC Barcelona English Speaking Supporters Fansite
• Luis Enrique's official site
• Video Compilation of Luis Enrique's career on Youtube
• Player profile at BDFutbol.com

v • d • e Spain squad - 1994 FIFA World Cup 1 Zubizarreta • 2 Ferrer • 3 Otero • 4 Camarasa • 5 Abelardo • 6 Hierro • 7 Goikoetxea • 8 Guerrero • 9 Guardiola • 10 Bakero • 11 Begiristain • 12 Sergi • 13 Cañizares • 14 Juanele • 15 Caminero • 16 Miñambres • 17 Voro • 18 Alkorta • 19 Salinas • 20 Nadal • 21 Luis Enrique • 22 Lopetegui • Coach: Clemente

v • d • e Spain squad - UEFA Euro 1996 1 Zubizarreta • 2 J. M. López • 3 Belsúe • 4 Alkorta • 5 Abelardo • 6 Hierro • 7 Amavisca • 8 Guerrero • 9 Pizzi • 10 Donato • 11 Alfonso • 12 Sergi • 13 Cañizares • 14 Kiko • 15 Caminero • 16 Otero • 17 Manjarín • 18 Amor • 19 Salinas • 20 Nadal • 21 Luis Enrique • 22 Molina • Coach: Clemente

v • d • e Spain squad - 1998 FIFA World Cup 1 Zubizarreta • 2 Ferrer • 3 Aranzábal • 4 Alkorta • 5 Abelardo • 6 Hierro • 7 Morientes • 8 Guerrero • 9 Pizzi • 10 Raúl • 11 Alfonso • 12 Sergi • 13 Cañizares • 14 Campo • 15 Aguilera • 16 Celades • 17 Etxeberria • 18 Amor • 19 Kiko • 20 Nadal • 21 Luis Enrique • 22 Molina • Coach: Clemente

v • d • e Spain squad - 2002 FIFA World Cup 1 Casillas • 2 Torres • 3 Juanfran • 4 Helguera • 5 Puyol • 6 Hierro • 7 Raúl • 8 Baraja • 9 Morientes • 10 Tristán • 11 de Pedro • 12 Luque • 13 Ricardo • 14 Albelda • 15 Romero • 16 Mendieta • 17 Valerón • 18 Sergio • 19 Xavi • 20 Nadal • 21 Luis Enrique • 22 Joaquín • 23 Contreras • Coach: Camacho