Althetico Mardid legend Enrique Collar, the legendary figure in Atletico Madrid’s history, has passed away at the age of 91.
Collar, who was a key player and captain for the team during a golden era in the 1960s, played a pivotal role in leading Atletico to a league title and three prestigious cup victories.
His contributions to the club have left an indelible mark, as expressed in an official statement from Atletico Madrid:
“The red and white family loses a symbol who gave everything to take Atletico Madrid to the pinnacle of national and continental football.”
Over the course of his illustrious career with Atletico Madrid, which spanned from 1953 to 1969, Collar made an impressive 470 appearances and scored a total of 105 goals. His tenure as captain lasted for an extraordinary decade, securing his status as the club’s longest-serving skipper.
Notably, he found the back of the net in the dramatic 1960 cup final, where Atletico triumphed over their fierce rivals Real Madrid at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. This victory was a significant highlight, and he continued to propel the team to further cup victories in 1961 and 1965.
Under Collar’s captaincy, Atletico Madrid significantly challenged the dominance of Real Madrid in the 1960s. During the 1965/66 season, he led the team to clinch the league title, proving that a smaller club could compete at the highest level in Spanish football.
In addition to his domestic achievements, Collar also made his mark on the European stage, winning the 1962 European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Internationally, Collar represented Spain, earning 16 caps and participating in the 1962 World Cup held in Chile.
His playing career came to an end in 1970 after a season spent at Valencia, concluding an era that showcased his significant footballing talent and unwavering commitment to the sport.
