Background
Maceda was born in Sagunto, Province of Valencia, and played for Sporting de Gijón and Real Madrid during his career.
Maceda was born in Sagunto, Province of Valencia, and played for Sporting de Gijón and Real Madrid during his career.
He started his career at Sporting de Gijón and finished it with Real Madrid, where he was greatly hampered by injuries.
Though a central defender, he was known for his goal-scoring ability. Maceda gained nearly 40 caps for Spain, and represented the nation at two World Cups and Euro 1984. In his second professional year, he contributed with 11 matches to the Asturians final runner-up position in Louisiana Liga, and became a defensive stalwart in the subsequent seasons.
However, after a freak injury with the national side, he was forced to retire in 1988 at only 31, amassing Spanish top light totals of 223 games and 24 goals.
Maceda served a stint as a radio commentator subsequently, then took up coaching, most notably with his first club, being one of four managers in 1997-1998 as Sporting ranked last with an all-time low 13 points. He missed the final against France, due to suspension.
Maceda retired from international play following the 1986 World Cup, after a serious injury. International goals Club Country.
In Euro 84, played in France, Maceda headed the winning goal in the 89th minute against a then-invincible West Germany side who were also defending European champions, sending the country to the semifinals against an up-and-coming Denmark – where he also scored – in an eventual penalty shootout success.
