He wore the Colchoneros jersey for 16 seasons and 470 matches. This Monday, Atlético Madrid announced the death of one of its legends: Enrique Collar. Captain for almost a decade, the Spaniard died at the age of 91.
“The red and white family loses a symbol who gave everything to raise Atlético Madrid to the top of national and continental football,” greeted the Madrid club in a press release retracing the brilliant career of its illustrious player, from his beginnings at the club to his last freelance at Valencia.
«The Child»
In 16 seasons under the colors of the “Colchoneros” (1953-1969), the former left winger played 470 matches for 105 goals. He is the fifth player to have played the most official matches under Atlético, tied with Antoine Griezmann. Nicknamed “El Niño” long before another child of the club, Fernando Torres, Enrique Collar was also captain from 1960 to 1969, an unrivaled record for the club from the Spanish capital.
During this period, he led his team to a La Liga (1966), three Copa del Reys (1960, 1961, 1965) and a Cup Winners’ Cup (1962). Capped 16 times with Spain, he scored 4 goals for his country, and participated in the 1962 World Cup in Chile. He retired in 1970 after a final season at Valencia.
