Manuel Sanchís Hontiyuelo (; born 23 May 1965) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a sweeper.
A part of the famous La Quinta del Buitre which stemmed from the Real Madrid youth academy, he was the only one of its five members to spend his entire career with the club. His father Manuel Sanchís also played for Real Madrid, and both were Spanish internationals.
Sanchís appeared in more than 700 competitive matches for his only club, and represented the national team in one World Cup and one European Championship.
Club career A product of Real Madrid's prolific youth system, Madrid-born Sanchís made his debut with the first team on 4 December 1983, scoring the only goal at Real Murcia CF and finishing his debut campaign with a further 17 appearances (and two goals) for the main squad.
Sanchís only appeared in less than 30 matches in two of the following 15 seasons, and was instrumental in the team's several conquests, including six La Liga championships, two UEFA Champions Leagues and two UEFA Cups. In 1999–2000 he featured sparingly, but still helped them to their eighth European Cup, playing 11 minutes in the final against fellow Spanish side Valencia CF in a 3–0 win.
Sanchís retired in 2001 at the age of 36, having played 710 official games for his only club – 523 of those in the league – while also captaining it for 13 years.
International career After excelling with the Spanish under-21s, with which he won the 1986 UEFA European Championship, Sanchís made his senior debut on 12 November of that year in a UEFA Euro 1988 qualifier against Romania (1–0 win). He went on to earn 48 full caps, appearing at both Euro 1988 and the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
Sanchís scored his only international goal on 14 October 1987, Spain's second in a 2–0 home victory over Austria also in a Euro 1988 qualifying match. His last game, aged 27, was a 2–0 friendly defeat of the United States on 11 March 1992.
Style of play As a central defender, Sanchís stood out for his defensive composure, placement and agility. He set a new standard within his club due to both his sporting and human skills. An aggressive yet fair player, he was also noted for his leadership, tactical intelligence, reading of the game and positional sense in addition to his passing, and usually played as a sweeper.
Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCopa del ReyCopa de la LigaEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCastilla1983–84Segunda División10200–––102Real Madrid1983–84La Liga1830020––2031984–853041060101–4711985–8628162–70–4131986–8736260–71–4931987–8833980–81–49101988–8933390–702Appearances in Supercopa de España05131989–9034370–40–4531990–9131220–102Appearances in Supercopa de España03621991–9237161–91–5231992–9337160–60–4911993–9432140–602Appearances in Supercopa de España04411994–9537120–30–4211995–9632120–601Appearances in Supercopa de España04111996–9722000–––2201997–9831110–1002Appearances in Supercopa de España04411998–9933040–701Appearances in UEFA Super Cup + 1Appearances in Intercontinental Cup04601999–0014020–502Appearances in Intercontinental Cup02302000–015010–30–90Total523336738099413071040Career total533356738099413072042 Notes
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsSpain19862019876119881201989701990110199170199230Total481
Honours Real Madrid Castilla Segunda División: 1983–84
Real Madrid La Liga: 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1994–95, 1996–97, 2000–01 Copa del Rey: 1988–89, 1992–93 Copa de la Liga: 1985 Supercopa de España: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1997 UEFA Champions League: 1997–98, 1999–2000 UEFA Cup: 1984–85, 1985–86 Intercontinental Cup: 1998
Spain UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 1986; runner-up: 1984
Individual Spanish Footballer of the Year (El País): 1989–90
See also List of La Liga players (400+ appearances) List of one-club men in association football List of Real Madrid CF records and statistics
References
External links