Iñaki Muñoz Oroz (born 2 July 1978) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
He amassed La Liga totals of 150 matches and 11 goals over nine seasons, representing in the competition Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao.
Club career Osasuna Muñoz was born in Pamplona, Navarre. Except for a season-long loan to CD Toledo in the Segunda División B, he spent ten at his hometown club CA Osasuna, the first and the second teams combined.Iñaki Muñoz: "El Atlético va a sufrir en El Sadar" (Iñaki Muñoz: "Atlético will suffer at El Sadar"); Noticias de Navarra, 17 February 2022 (in Spanish) He made his La Liga debut with the former on 23 December 2001, coming on as a late substitute in a 1–0 home loss against Athletic Bilbao.El Athletic, en estado de gracia, gana a un Osasuna sin pegada (Athletic, in a state of grace, beat punchless Osasuna); El País, 24 December 2001 (in Spanish)
Muñoz went on to become an important first-team member, appearing in 30 games during 2005–06 as they finished fourth in the league and qualified for the UEFA Champions LeagueMemoria de La Liga de Fútbol Profesional Temporada 2005/2006 (Memory of the Professional Football League 2005/2006 season); La Liga, 17 December 2019 (in Spanish) while scoring five goals in as many wins, notably the winners at Deportivo de La Coruña and Atlético Madrid.Deportivo La Coruña 0–1 Osasuna; ESPN Soccernet, 2 October 2005Atlético Madrid 0–1 Osasuna; ESPN Soccernet, 3 May 2006 In the previous campaign's Copa del Rey, he netted five times in eight matches to help Osasuna to reach the final of the competition, notably once in the 3–1 quarter-final home victory over Sevilla FC (4–3 aggregate).Iñaki Muñoz es el máximo goleador de esta Copa (Iñaki Muñoz is this Cup's top scorer); Diario AS, 11 June 2005 (in Spanish)Spain Cup Tournaments 2004/05; at RSSSF
Athletic Bilbao Muñoz switched west for 2007–08, moving to Basque neighbours Athletic Bilbao on a three-year contract.Iñaki Muñoz, presentado como nuevo jugador del Athletic de Bilbao (Iñaki Muñoz, presented as a new Athletic de Bilbao player); Cadena SER, 17 July 2007 (in Spanish) He appeared sparingly in his first season, and even less in the second and third – his 2009–10 output consisted of 30 minutes against Deportivo in the last matchday.Iñaki Muñoz: «Soy un jugador muy aprovechable» (Iñaki Muñoz: "I'm a very useful player"); El Correo, 21 July 2008 (in Spanish)Iñaki Muñoz: "Soy el único que no ha tenido una oportunidad" (Iñaki Muñoz: "I am the only one who has not received an opportunity"); Marca, 11 February 2009 (in Spanish)Iñaki Muñoz molesto con Joaquín Caparros (Iñaki Muñoz upset with Joaquín Caparrós); Diario de Navarra, 20 July 2009 (in Spanish)Dos goles de regalo para Etxebe en su despedida (Two goals as a gift to Etxebe in his goodbye); RTVE, 15 May 2010 (in Spanish)
Muñoz scored his only competitive goal for the side on 31 January 2008, in a 3–3 home draw with Racing de Santander in the Spanish Cup quarter-finals.Crónica del Athletic Club – Racing de Santander, 3–3 (Athletic Club – Racing de Santander match report, 3–3); Europa Press, 31 January 2008 (in Spanish)
Later years In summer 2010, aged 32, the free agent Muñoz signed with FC Cartagena of Segunda División.El Cartagena ficha al centrocampista pamplonés Iñaki Muñoz (Cartagena sign Pamplona-born midfielder Iñaki Muñoz); Diario de Navarra, 26 July 2010 (in Spanish) He retired three years later, after lower-league spells at UD Salamanca and CD Izarra.El Izarra recompone su equipo para tratar de huir de la quema (Izarra recompose their team to try to escape the fire); El Correo, 1 February 2013 (in Spanish)
International career Muñoz represented both the BasqueBasque XI 0–1 Wales; BBC Sport, 21 May 2006Catalunya y Euskadi igualan en una vistosa demostración (Catalonia and Basque Country draw in flashy display); El Mundo, 8 October 2006 (in Spanish)La selección de Euskadi obtiene una vibrante victoria frente a Venezuela (Basque Country national team get exciting win against Venezuela); El Correo, 21 June 2007 (in Spanish) and Navarrese autonomous teams,Navarra, sin rival en su estreno como selección (Navarre, no opposition in their debut as national team); Diario AS, 28 December 2003 (in Spanish)Un penalti da el triunfo a Navarra ante Marruecos (Penalty gives Navarre win against Morocco); Diario AS, 30 December 2004 (in Spanish)Navarra vence con gol de Muñoz y perdona la goleada (Navarra win with goal from Muñoz and forgive routing); Diario AS, 26 December 2005 (in Spanish) earning six caps in total.
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