Former Football Player
Jorge Valdano
Jorge Valdano is one of the most well-known faces of international football, with a life dedicated entirely to the king sport in several functions: as a player, coach, manager and, currently, as a business consultant, commentator in prestigious media and speaker.
Argentinian by birth and Spanish by adoption, Jorge Valdano made his debut at the Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario at the age of 18 and his talent soon led him to cross the pond and consolidate as a player in European football. He played for Alavés, Real Zaragoza and Real Madrid, with whom he won two Leagues, 1 Cup and 2 UEFA Cups. He retired in 1987 after proclaiming himself world champion with Argentina in the 86 World Cup, and playing 228 games in the Spanish First Division, with a total of 86 goals.
His career as a coach and manager was no less brilliant. He debuted on the bench of Club Deportivo Tenerife in 1992, and two years later, he joined Real Madrid to win the League and take the first team to players who would later be emblematic figures for the club as Raul Gonzalez or Guti. Valencia CF was his last adventure as a coach, before returning definitively to Real Madrid to start his career in the offices. Jorge Valdano held the position of Sports Director between 1999-2003 and Director General of 2009-2011 and was one of the key men in the construction of the so-called ‘Galactic’ team. His last titles have been with the white team: 1 League as a player; and 2 Leagues, 1 Super Cup, 1 Copa del Rey, 1 Champions League, 1 Intercontinental Cup and 1 European Supercup.
