Víctor Sánchez del Amo
Encyclopedia
Víctor Sánchez del Amo (born 23 February 1976 in Madrid
), simply Víctor, is a retired Spanish
footballer who played as a right midfielder
.
His crossing ability is among the qualities which brought him international recognition with Spain
, and especially Deportivo de La Coruña
. He started his career with Real Madrid
, and went on to win a total of seven major titles between the two clubs combined.
youth system, Víctor made his first team debut on 25 May 1996, in the season's last matchday, a 1–0 away win against Real Zaragoza
.
Almost never a starter during his spell with the capital
side, he did appear in 36 La Liga
games in 1996–97 (25 starts, five goals) as the Fabio Capello
-led side won the national championship, and would play a relative role in Madrid's conquest of the following season's UEFA Champions League
.
, where he registered 12 top division goals to earn a move to Deportivo de La Coruña
. In the 1999–2000 season he missed just one league match as Deportivo won the league - its first - scoring four goals.
It was as creator rather than scorer, however, that Víctor impressed in the 2001–02 Champions League, a season which saw the Galicians win the Spanish Cup
. He helped Depor to a third-place finish in 2002–03 with four goals in 30 games, while also chipping in with a couple in the Champions League, prior to the club's second group stage elimination.
In the 2003–04 season, Víctor enjoyed his best return in front of goal, with seven in 31 games, including a 3 January 2004 hat-trick
at neighbours Celta de Vigo
(5–0 success), as Deportivo finished third behind Valencia CF
and FC Barcelona
. He failed to score, though, in a Champions League campaign which concluded with a semi-final loss to F.C. Porto. In his last season, Deportivo would finish eighth in the league and Víctor was not offered a new contract, a decision helped by the fact he had recently been injured.
On 3 August 2006, Víctor signed a two-year contract with Greek league giants Panathinaikos FC
for about €
1.5 million per year, being one of the most reputed transfers in Greece
that season. However, he appeared sparingly throughout the season and, in October 2007, returned to Spain, signing a one-year deal with second division
club Elche CF
. He spent the first months of the new season training on his own.
At the end of the season, Víctor renewed his link for a further campaign, only to back down immediately on his original decision, leaving the Alicante province side in July 2008. He retired at the age of 32, with more than 500 official games to his credit.
On 22 December 2010, Víctor was named Getafe CF
's assistant manager, replacing former Real Madrid teammate Juan Esnáider
as sidekick of Míchel - another player he shared teams at the club with.
in a friendly match
against Germany
, on 16 August 2000 (1–4 away loss), and went on to receive eight caps
in a four-year span.
He had previously participated in the 1998 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
in which Spain
emerged victorious, against Greece (1–0).
Deportivo
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...
), simply Víctor, is a retired 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 played as a right 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...
.
His crossing ability is among the qualities which brought him international recognition with Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
, and especially Deportivo de La Coruña
Deportivo de La Coruña
Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
. He started his career with Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
, and went on to win a total of seven major titles between the two clubs combined.
Real Madrid
Being a product of the famous Real MadridReal Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
youth system, Víctor made his first team debut on 25 May 1996, in the season's last matchday, a 1–0 away win against Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza, S.A.D. is a Spanish association football team from Zaragoza in Spain. Founded on 18 March 1932, Real Zaragoza have spent the majority of their 78 year history in the Spanish top-flight. Real Zaragoza are Spain's 9th highest ranked team in overall league points...
.
Almost never a starter during his spell with the capital
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...
side, he did appear in 36 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...
games in 1996–97 (25 starts, five goals) as the Fabio Capello
Fabio Capello
Fabio Capello is an Italian football manager and former player. He is the manager of the England national football team.Capello has the distinction of winning the domestic league title with every club he has coached throughout his career...
-led side won the national championship, and would play a relative role in Madrid's conquest of the following season's UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
.
Deportivo
For 1998–99 Víctor, facing stiff competition, had to leave his hometown club, his first post-R.Madrid port of call being Racing de SantanderRacing de Santander
Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators....
, where he registered 12 top division goals to earn a move to Deportivo de La Coruña
Deportivo de La Coruña
Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
. In the 1999–2000 season he missed just one league match as Deportivo won the league - its first - scoring four goals.
It was as creator rather than scorer, however, that Víctor impressed in the 2001–02 Champions League, a season which saw the Galicians win the Spanish Cup
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
. He helped Depor to a third-place finish in 2002–03 with four goals in 30 games, while also chipping in with a couple in the Champions League, prior to the club's second group stage elimination.
In the 2003–04 season, Víctor enjoyed his best return in front of goal, with seven in 31 games, including a 3 January 2004 hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
at neighbours Celta de Vigo
Celta de Vigo
Real Club Celta de Vigo , simply referred to as Celta Vigo, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Segunda División. It was founded on March 28, 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club.Nicknamed Los Celestes ,...
(5–0 success), as Deportivo finished third behind Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
and FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
. He failed to score, though, in a Champions League campaign which concluded with a semi-final loss to F.C. Porto. In his last season, Deportivo would finish eighth in the league and Víctor was not offered a new contract, a decision helped by the fact he had recently been injured.
On 3 August 2006, Víctor signed a two-year contract with Greek league giants Panathinaikos FC
Panathinaikos FC
Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most...
for about €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
1.5 million per year, being one of the most reputed transfers in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
that season. However, he appeared sparingly throughout the season and, in October 2007, returned to Spain, signing a one-year deal with second division
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
club Elche CF
Elche CF
Elche Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Elche, Alicante, in the Valencian Community. Founded in 1923, it currently plays in the Spanish second division, holding home matches at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, with a capacity of 38,750 seats.-Recent seasons:-Season to...
. He spent the first months of the new season training on his own.
At the end of the season, Víctor renewed his link for a further campaign, only to back down immediately on his original decision, leaving the Alicante province side in July 2008. He retired at the age of 32, with more than 500 official games to his credit.
On 22 December 2010, Víctor was named Getafe CF
Getafe CF
Getafe Club de Fútbol is a Spanish La Liga football club based in Getafe, a city in the Madrid metropolitan area, founded in 1946 and refounded in 1983.In the top level since 2004-05, it holds home games at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez....
's assistant manager, replacing former Real Madrid teammate Juan Esnáider
Juan Esnáider
Juan Eduardo Esnáider is a retired Argentine footballer who played as a striker. His surname is a Spanish spelling reform of the German Schneider, which means "tailor"...
as sidekick of Míchel - another player he shared teams at the club with.
International career
Víctor made his debut with SpainSpain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
in a friendly match
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
against Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
, on 16 August 2000 (1–4 away loss), and went on to receive eight caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
in a four-year span.
He had previously participated in the 1998 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
1998 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
The UEFA U-21 Championship 1998, which spanned two years , had 46 entrants. Before the quarter-finals stage, Romania were chosen as the hosts of the final stages, consisting of four matches in total....
in which Spain
Spain national under-21 football team
The Spain national under-21 football team, is the national under-21 football team of Spain and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. The team, nicknamed La Rojita , competes in the biannual European Under-21 Football Championship.Following the realignment of UEFA's youth...
emerged victorious, against Greece (1–0).
Club
Real Madrid- UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
: 1997–98 - Spanish LeagueLa LigaThe 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...
: 1996–97 - Spanish SupercupSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
: 19971997 Supercopa de EspañaThe 1997 Supercopa de España was a two-leg Spanish football match played on 20 August and 23 August 1997. The contestants were FC Barcelona, who were Spanish Cup winners in 1996–97, and Real Madrid who won the 1996–97 Spanish League. Real Madrid won 5–3 on aggregate.-First leg:-Second...
Deportivo
- Spanish LeagueLa LigaThe 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...
: 1999–00 - Spanish CupCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: 2001–02 - Spanish SupercupSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
: 20002000 Supercopa de EspañaThe 2000 Supercopa de España was two-leg Spanish football matches played on 20 August and 27 August 2000. It contested by RCD Espanyol, who were Spanish Cup winners in 1999–00, and RC Deportivo, who won the 1999–00 Spanish League.-First leg:-Second leg:...
, 20022002 Supercopa de EspañaThe 2002 Supercopa de España was two-leg Spanish football matches played on 18 August and 25 August 2002. It contested by RCD de la Coruña, who were Spanish Cup winners in 2001–02, and Valencia CF, who won the 2001–02 Spanish League.-First leg:-Second leg:...
Country
Spain U21- European Under-21 ChampionshipUEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe European Under-21 Football Championship is a football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. It is held every two years. The competition has existed in its current form since 1978. It was preceded by the Under 23 Challenge Cup which ran from 1967 to 1970...
: 19981998 UEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe UEFA U-21 Championship 1998, which spanned two years , had 46 entrants. Before the quarter-finals stage, Romania were chosen as the hosts of the final stages, consisting of four matches in total....