Miguel Ángel Sánchez Muñoz
Encyclopedia
Miguel Ángel Sánchez Muñoz (born 30 October 1975 in Madrid
), aka Míchel, is a Spanish
footballer who plays for Rayo Vallecano
as a left midfielder
.
's youth system, Míchel appeared once for the first team in 1993–94, then alternated between the first and second sides
two more years.
After one loan to UD Almería
(then in the third division
), Míchel returned to Rayo, being essential as the Madrid
outskirts side finish ninth in 1999–2000 and qualify for the subsequent UEFA Cup through fair play, where Rayo bowed out in the quarterfinals to fellow La Liga
team Deportivo Alavés
. The following season Michel had another fine season for Rayo appearing in 33 league matches and scoring a team high 10 goals as the Madrid
club retained its La Liga
status.
Míchel moved in 2003 to Real Murcia
, being relatively used in his first year, which ended in top flight relegation. He appeared very rarely, however, in his final two seasons, which included a six-month loan spell with Málaga CF
in 2004–05
, where he was also rarely used.
In July 2006, Míchel returned home and to Rayo, helping it return to the "silver category" in 2007–08. He continued to be team captain and, during the 2010–11 campaign
, still contributed with two goals in 20 games as the club returned to the top flight after eight years.
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
), aka Míchel, is a Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer who plays for Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, S.A.D., often abbreviated to Rayo, is a Spanish football team based in Madrid, in the neighbourhood of Vallecas...
as a left midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
Club career
A product of Rayo VallecanoRayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, S.A.D., often abbreviated to Rayo, is a Spanish football team based in Madrid, in the neighbourhood of Vallecas...
's youth system, Míchel appeared once for the first team in 1993–94, then alternated between the first and second sides
Rayo Vallecano B
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid B, S.A.D., often abbreviated to Rayo B, is a Spanish football club based in the Madrid neighbourhood of Vallecas...
two more years.
After one loan to UD Almería
UD Almería
Unión Deportiva Almería, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1989 as Almería Club de Fútbol, it currently plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos, with a 22,000-seat...
(then in the third division
Segunda División B
Segunda División B is the third level of the Spanish football league system. It is administered by the RFEF. The top two levels are La Liga, also referred to as the Primera División, and the Segunda División. Immediately below Segunda División B is the Tercera Division...
), Míchel returned to Rayo, being essential as the Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
outskirts side finish ninth in 1999–2000 and qualify for the subsequent UEFA Cup through fair play, where Rayo bowed out in the quarterfinals to fellow La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
team Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D., usually abbreviated to Alavés, is a Spanish football club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1921, it plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at the 19,500-seater Estadio Mendizorrotza....
. The following season Michel had another fine season for Rayo appearing in 33 league matches and scoring a team high 10 goals as the Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
club retained its La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
status.
Míchel moved in 2003 to Real Murcia
Real Murcia
Real Murcia Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the region of Murcia. Founded in 1908, it currently plays in the second division, playing home matches at Estadio Nueva Condomina, which can hold 33,045 spectators....
, being relatively used in his first year, which ended in top flight relegation. He appeared very rarely, however, in his final two seasons, which included a six-month loan spell with Málaga CF
Málaga CF
Málaga Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Málaga, Andalusia. The team currently plays in Spain's La Liga.Málaga CF is generally seen as the successor to CD Málaga, one of the most historical Andalusian football clubs, by being a near-identical looking football club that even shares...
in 2004–05
2004–05 La Liga
2004–05 season was composed of the following clubs:* Albacete Balompié* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Real Betis* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Levante UD* Málaga CF* Real Mallorca* CD Numancia* CA Osasuna...
, where he was also rarely used.
In July 2006, Míchel returned home and to Rayo, helping it return to the "silver category" in 2007–08. He continued to be team captain and, during the 2010–11 campaign
2010–11 Segunda División
-Personnel and sponsorship:-Managerial changes:-League table:||style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=11 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|-Positions by round:Source: -Results:...
, still contributed with two goals in 20 games as the club returned to the top flight after eight years.