Ángel María Villar
Encyclopedia
Ángel María Villar Llona (born 21 January 1950) is a retired Spanish
professional footballer who played as a midfielder
.
After having represented Athletic Bilbao
during a full decade, he went on to serve an even larger stint as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation.
, Biscay
, and emerged through the youth ranks of local Athletic de Bilbao
, going on to make his senior debuts in amateur football, loaned, after which he returned in 1971. With the Basque
outfit, he was an undisputed starter in nine of his 10 seasons, helping it to two cup
finals, and winning the 1973 edition.
In March 1974, during a 0–0 first division
home draw, Villar elbow
ed Barcelona
's Johann Cruyff, as the Dutch was subject to severe man-marking by several Athletic players; he received a four-match ban, but the pair later reconciled. He retired seven years later, with more than 300 official appearances for Athletic.
, scoring thrice. His debut came on 17 October 1973 in Istanbul
, in a 0–0 friendly with Turkey
.
On 9 December 1979, his last cap
, Villar helped the nation qualify for UEFA Euro 1980, scoring in a 3–1 win in Cyprus
; he did not participate however, in any major international tournament.
, and would practice the activity during the following years, which he accumulated with several posts in the footballing hierarchies - He was one of the founders of the Spanish Footballers' Association
in 1978.
Having already worked in the Spanish Football Federation under president
José Luis Roca, Villar was elected his successor in 1988, and would stay in office for the following two decades, being in charge as the national team won Euro 2008.
Villar also occupied several roles within UEFA
and FIFA
, being named the organizations' vice president
, respectively in 1992 and 2002. Following Spain's controversial exit at the 2002 FIFA World Cup
, he left his post at the latter, but was immediately named, amongst others, for the presidency of the Referees' Committee (also in that year, he was named for that position at UEFA).
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...
professional footballer who played as a 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...
.
After having represented Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
during a full decade, he went on to serve an even larger stint as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation.
Club career
Villar was born in BilbaoBilbao
Bilbao ) is a Spanish municipality, capital of the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. With a population of 353,187 , it is the largest city of its autonomous community and the tenth largest in Spain...
, Biscay
Biscay
Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao...
, and emerged through the youth ranks of local Athletic de Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
, going on to make his senior debuts in amateur football, loaned, after which he returned in 1971. With the Basque
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
outfit, he was an undisputed starter in nine of his 10 seasons, helping it to two 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 ....
finals, and winning the 1973 edition.
In March 1974, during a 0–0 first division
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...
home draw, Villar elbow
Elbow (strike)
An elbow strike is a strike with the point of the elbow, the part of the forearm nearest to the elbow, or the part of the upper arm nearest to the elbow...
ed Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
's Johann Cruyff, as the Dutch was subject to severe man-marking by several Athletic players; he received a four-match ban, but the pair later reconciled. He retired seven years later, with more than 300 official appearances for Athletic.
International career
Villar played 22 times for 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...
, scoring thrice. His debut came on 17 October 1973 in Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, in a 0–0 friendly with Turkey
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
.
On 9 December 1979, his last cap
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...
, Villar helped the nation qualify for UEFA Euro 1980, scoring in a 3–1 win in Cyprus
Cyprus national football team
The Cyprus national football team represents Cyprus in association football and is controlled by the Cyprus Football Association, the governing body for football in Cyprus. Cyprus' home ground is the GSP Stadium in Nicosia and the current coach is Nikos Nioplias...
; he did not participate however, in any major international tournament.
Post-retirement
In 1979, still as an active player, Villar majored in lawLaw
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
, and would practice the activity during the following years, which he accumulated with several posts in the footballing hierarchies - He was one of the founders of the Spanish Footballers' Association
Asociación de Futbolistas Españoles
The Spanish Footballers' Association is the association for professional footballers in Spain....
in 1978.
Having already worked in the Spanish Football Federation under president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
José Luis Roca, Villar was elected his successor in 1988, and would stay in office for the following two decades, being in charge as the national team won Euro 2008.
Villar also occupied several roles within UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
and FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
, being named the organizations' vice president
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
, respectively in 1992 and 2002. Following Spain's controversial exit at the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
, he left his post at the latter, but was immediately named, amongst others, for the presidency of the Referees' Committee (also in that year, he was named for that position at UEFA).
Honours
- 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 ....
: 1972–73; Runner-up 1976–77 - UEFA Cup: Runner-up 1976–77