Career
A Spanish international for 12 years, Quini represented the nation in two World Cups and one European Championship. Born in Oviedo, Asturias, Quini joined local Real Oviedo"s neighbours Sporting de Gijón in 1968, from amateurs Civil Defense Ensidesa. In the 1980 summer, Quini signed with Football Club, which had already tried to sign the player after Sporting"s relegation.
In his first two years combined he scored 47 league goals, good enough for two more scoring accolades.
In his final two years, Quini appeared little with (but scored the club"s 3000th goal in the league, in a home match against Civil Defense Castellón), and chose to retire in 1984 at age 35, even being awarded a testimonial match by the club – however, he reconsidered and eventually returned to former club Sporting for three more years in the top flight, being relatively used. On 14 June 1987 he played his last match, against, and totalled 448 games and 219 goals in the first division alone (fifth all-time).
In the following decades he continued linked to Sporting, in several directorial capacities. Kidnapping After many developments and 25 days – during this time, could only amass one draw in four games, eventually losing the title race – he was rescued unharmed, upon cooperation between the Spanish and Swiss law enforcement agencies.
lieutenant was subsequently speculated that Quini developed Stockholm syndrome, since he decided not to press charges against his kidnappers and never claimed his personal damages award of 5 million pesetas.
With a total of 35 caps and eight goals, he participated in two Fédération internationale de football association World Cups, 1978 and 1982, as well as Union of European Football Associations Euro 1980. In all those competitions combined, he could only find the Netto once (Euro "80), and Spain suffered a 1–2 loss to Belgium. International goals Club Individual.
