Santiago Aragón
Encyclopedia
Santiago Aragón Martínez (born 3 April 1968 in Málaga
, Andalusia
) is a retired Spanish
footballer who played as a midfielder
.
He was a technically evolved player who often assumed playmaker
duties, and played mainly for Real Zaragoza
, appearing in more than 350 official games in 11 seasons - 10 in La Liga
- and winning three major titles.
youth graduate, Aragón played one game (16 April 1988, 0–0 at Celta de Vigo
) for the 1988 league champions, also appearing in two 1/2 seasons with the reserve team
in Segunda División
. Barred by Rafael Martín Vázquez
first and Gheorghe Hagi
afterwards, Aragón was loaned successively to RCD Español
and CD Logroñés
, both in La Liga
, where he was also rarely used (29 appearances combined).
After another loan at Real Valladolid
(with top flight relegation), Aragón's career was threatened with fading into obscurity until he joined Real Zaragoza
, first on loan. He would be the Aragon
ese side's dictator of play for several seasons (providing for the likes of Miguel Pardeza, Juan Esnáider
and Gustavo Poyet
), only missing nine combined matches in his first four seasons, while also netting 17 goals himself.
Aragón was part of the sides that won the 1995 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
, having conquered the domestic cup
the previous season
. After contributing with four goals to Zaragoza's return to the top division in 2003, he retired aged 35, with nearly 500 official matches to his credit.
In January 2008, Aragón had his first coaching experience, joining former Zaragoza teammate Ander Garitano
's coaching staff, precisely at the club. After only one week and two matches (one in the cup), the head manager cited personal reasons for leaving his post, and his assistant followed him.
Málaga
Málaga is a city and a municipality in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. With a population of 568,507 in 2010, it is the second most populous city of Andalusia and the sixth largest in Spain. This is the southernmost large city in Europe...
, Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
) 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 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...
.
He was a technically evolved player who often assumed playmaker
Playmaker
In association football, a playmaker is a player who controls the flow of the team's offensive play, and is often involved in passing moves which lead to goals....
duties, and played mainly for 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...
, appearing in more than 350 official games in 11 seasons - 10 in 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...
- and winning three major titles.
Football career
A 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 graduate, Aragón played one game (16 April 1988, 0–0 at 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 ,...
) for the 1988 league champions, also appearing in two 1/2 seasons with the reserve team
Real Madrid Castilla
Real Madrid Castilla is a Spanish football team that plays in the Segunda División B. It is the reserve team of Real Madrid. They play their home games at Alfredo di Stéfano Stadium....
in Segunda División
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:...
. Barred by Rafael Martín Vázquez
Rafael Martín Vázquez
Rafael Martín Vázquez is a retired Spanish footballer who played mostly as an attacking midfielder, with above-average skills....
first and Gheorghe Hagi
Gheorghe Hagi
Gheorghe Hagi is a former Romanian footballer. He was famous for his passing, close control, long shots and was regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe during the 1980s and 1990s and is considered the greatest Romanian footballer of all time...
afterwards, Aragón was loaned successively to RCD Español
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
and CD Logroñés
CD Logroñés
Club Deportivo Logroñés, S.A.D. was a Spanish football team based in Logroño, in the autonomous community of La Rioja. Founded in 1940, it last played in Regional Preferente de La Rioja....
, both in 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...
, where he was also rarely used (29 appearances combined).
After another loan at Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, from where the nickname Pucela is derived....
(with top flight relegation), Aragón's career was threatened with fading into obscurity until he joined 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...
, first on loan. He would be the Aragon
Aragon
Aragon is a modern autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. Located in northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces : Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel. Its capital is Zaragoza...
ese side's dictator of play for several seasons (providing for the likes of Miguel Pardeza, 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"...
and Gustavo Poyet
Gustavo Poyet
Gustavo Augusto Gus Poyet Domínguez is a former Uruguay international footballer and current manager of English side Brighton & Hove Albion.During his playing career, Poyet featured for teams including Real Zaragoza, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur....
), only missing nine combined matches in his first four seasons, while also netting 17 goals himself.
Aragón was part of the sides that won the 1995 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
, having conquered the domestic 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 ....
the previous season
1993–94 Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey 1993–94 is the 90th staging of the Copa del Rey.The competition started on August 15, 1993 and concluded on April 20, 1994 with the Final, held at the Estadio Vicente Calderón in Madrid....
. After contributing with four goals to Zaragoza's return to the top division in 2003, he retired aged 35, with nearly 500 official matches to his credit.
In January 2008, Aragón had his first coaching experience, joining former Zaragoza teammate Ander Garitano
Ander Garitano
Ander Garitano Urquizu is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a left midfielder, and a current coach.His career as a player - almost entirely spent in La Liga - was solely associated with two clubs, Athletic Bilbao and Real Zaragoza.-Football career:Born in Derio, Biscay, Garitano began his...
's coaching staff, precisely at the club. After only one week and two matches (one in the cup), the head manager cited personal reasons for leaving his post, and his assistant followed him.
Honours
- Real Madrid:
- 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...
: 1987–88 - Spanish SupercupSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
: 1990
- Spanish League
- Zaragoza:
- UEFA Cup Winners' CupUEFA Cup Winners' CupThe UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
: 1994–95 - 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 ....
: 1993–94, 2000–01
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup