Ball – ‘El Gato’ Miguel Ángel fights stiffness (Spain)

Former goalkeeper and Spanish international Miguel Ángel Gutierrez González, 74, born in Ourense (Galicia) and legend of goals for Real Madrid, who played 18 seasons (from 1968 to 1986) fights amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a degenerative disease of the nervous system.

In a note issued on Saturday on their official website, the “Merenguez” champions of Spain and Europe expressed their solidarity with “El Gato” Miguel Angel, as one of the greatest legends of the goals of the neighboring country and became a famous “Blancos”, who occupied his goal as a starter practically from 1974/75 until his retirement from the field in 1986 , at the age of 38.

“From Real Madrid we transfer all our strength and our feelings to Miguel Angel, one of the greatest goalkeepers in our history. We are with him and his family in the fight against ALS, reinforcing the fortitude and the spirit of victory that he has always shown », Real Madrid wrote regarding the serious clinical condition in which the goalkeeper was found. Goalkeeper, international for Spain in 18 matches from 1975 to 1982 – He was the goalkeeper for La Roja in the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, and he was also a substitute for Arconada in Spain in 1982.

His records in his 18 years at Real Madrid are sinful only because he has never won the European Club Cup (champions, since 1992), although the club from the Spanish capital has 14 in his museum, including this year (1-0 to Liverpool in Paris) . And it was precisely against the “reds” that 41 years ago, Miguel Angel saw the European title slip away from him at Anfield (0-1), in the final that took place not at the Stade de France (it did not exist) but at… Parc des Princes.

With Real Madrid, Miguel Ángel, a week after completing his ‘diamond wedding anniversary’ – born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1947 – won eight La Liga titles (1968/69, 1971/72, 1974/75, 1975/76 1977/78, 1978/79, 1979/80 and 1985/86), five King’s Cups (1969/70, 1973/74, 1974/75, 1979/80 and 1981/82) and one European Cup (1985) /86), as well as two editions of the UEFA Cup (1984/85 and 1985/86).