1. Overview
Miguel Tendillo Belenguer (born 1 February 1961) is a Spanish former professional footballer who primarily played as a central defender. Standing at 73 in (185 cm) and weighing 170 lb (77 kg), he had a distinguished career spanning 15 seasons. He amassed a total of 370 matches and 28 goals in La Liga, most notably representing Valencia CF for eight years and Real Madrid CF for five. During his time with these clubs, Tendillo achieved significant success, winning ten major titles, including three La Liga championships, two Copa del Rey trophies, one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, and three Supercopa de España titles. He also played 27 times for the Spain national football team, participating in the UEFA Euro 1980 and the 1982 FIFA World Cup. Following his retirement from playing at the age of 32, he transitioned into a role within Valencia CF's youth system.
2. Early Life and Family
Miguel Tendillo Belenguer was born on 1 February 1961, in Moncada, Valencia, Spain. Football was a significant part of his family's life, as both his father, also named Miguel (born 1937), and his son, Alberto (born 1995), were professional footballers. Like Miguel Tendillo himself, both his father and son played as defenders. His son, Alberto, also developed through the youth system of Valencia CF.
3. Club Career
Miguel Tendillo's professional club career spanned 15 seasons, during which he made 370 appearances and scored 28 goals in La Liga. He played for several prominent Spanish clubs, starting with his hometown team, Valencia CF, before moving to Real Murcia CF, Real Madrid CF, and finally Real Burgos CF.
3.1. Valencia CF
Tendillo began his professional journey with his local club, Valencia CF, where he quickly established himself as a key player. He made his senior debut at a young age and, by 18, had become a first-choice player, featuring in 29 La Liga games during his inaugural full season in 1979-80. This season culminated in a significant achievement for the club: the conquest of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. Tendillo started in the final match against Arsenal, contributing to Valencia's victory. He remained with Valencia for a total of eight years, accumulating nearly 300 official appearances before his departure in 1986. During his time at Valencia, he made 208 league appearances and scored 17 goals.
3.2. Real Murcia CF
Following Valencia's relegation from La Liga at the end of the 1985-86 season, Tendillo moved to Real Murcia CF. He spent a single season with the club, the 1986-87 campaign, where he delivered a solid performance, making 41 appearances and scoring 2 goals. His strong showing attracted the attention of one of Spain's football powerhouses.
3.3. Real Madrid CF
In 1987, Tendillo joined Real Madrid CF, a move prompted by the club's need for a defender to replace the long-term injured Antonio Maceda. His tenure at Real Madrid was highly successful, lasting five years. He was a regular starter in three of his five seasons, playing a crucial role in the team's dominance. During this period, he helped Real Madrid secure three consecutive La Liga titles (1987-88, 1988-89, 1989-90) and three Supercopa de España trophies (1988, 1989, 1990). He also won the Copa del Rey in 1988-89. Across his time at Real Madrid, he made 98 league appearances and scored 8 goals.
3.4. Real Burgos CF
For the 1992-93 season, Tendillo signed with Real Burgos CF, a club struggling in the top division. Despite his efforts, he was unable to prevent the team's relegation from La Liga, as they finished 20th in the league table. At the end of that campaign, at the age of 32, Miguel Tendillo retired from professional football. He had made 23 league appearances and scored 1 goal for Real Burgos.
3.5. Post-Playing Career
After concluding his playing career, Miguel Tendillo returned to Valencia CF, the club where he began his professional journey. He transitioned into a new role within the club's structure, taking on responsibilities as a coordinator in their youth system, based at the Mestalla Stadium.
4. International Career
Miguel Tendillo represented Spain at various youth levels before making his debut for the senior national team. His international career included participation in major tournaments and a notable goal.
4.1. Spain National Team Debut and Activity
Tendillo earned his first cap for the Spain national football team on 21 May 1980, when he was not yet 20 years old. This debut came in a 2-2 friendly match against Denmark in Copenhagen. Throughout his international career, Tendillo accumulated a total of 27 appearances for Spain between 1980 and 1988. While primarily a central defender, he was also deployed as a right-back during the UEFA Euro 1980 tournament.
His youth international career included:
- Spain U-18: 17 appearances, 1 goal (1977-1979)
- Spain U-19: 3 appearances, 0 goals (1979)
- Spain U-20: 4 appearances, 0 goals (1979)
- Spain U-21: 2 appearances, 0 goals (1979)
4.2. Major Tournaments
Tendillo participated in two significant international competitions with the Spanish national team:
- UEFA Euro 1980: Spain exited in the group stage.
- 1982 FIFA World Cup: Spain also failed to advance beyond the group stage in this tournament, which was held in Spain.
4.3. International Goals
Miguel Tendillo scored one goal for the Spanish national team during his career. This goal came on 28 April 1982, in a friendly match against Switzerland. The game was played at the Mestalla Stadium (then known as Luis Casanova Stadium) in Valencia, Spain. Tendillo scored the opening goal, contributing to Spain's 2-0 victory.
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 28 April 1982 | Luis Casanova, Valencia, Spain | Switzerland | 1-0 | 2-0 | Friendly |
His international appearances and goals by year are detailed below:
| Year | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 5 | 0 |
| 1981 | 12 | 0 |
| 1982 | 8 | 1 |
| 1983 | 0 | 0 |
| 1984 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 27 | 1 |
5. Honours and Achievements
Miguel Tendillo's career was marked by numerous team titles and individual recognition, reflecting his significant contributions to the clubs he represented.
5.1. Club Honours
Valencia CF
- Copa del Rey: 1978-79
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1979-80
- UEFA Super Cup: 1980
Real Madrid CF
- La Liga: 1987-88, 1988-89, 1989-90
- Copa del Rey: 1988-89
- Supercopa de España: 1988, 1989, 1990
5.2. Individual Awards
- Don Balón Award: Best Spanish Player (1982)
6. Legacy and Impact
Miguel Tendillo is remembered as a highly effective defender whose contributions were vital to the success of his teams, particularly during his most prominent spells at Valencia CF and Real Madrid CF.
6.1. On-Field Contributions
Known for his strong defensive capabilities, Tendillo was often described as a "lock" (cierreSpanish for 'lock' or 'stopper'Spanish), a testament to his ability to secure the defense and prevent opposition attacks. His consistent performances as a central defender made him a reliable and integral part of the backline for both club and country. He was noted for his tactical discipline and physical presence, which allowed him to effectively neutralize opposing forwards.
6.2. Historical Significance
Tendillo holds a significant place in the history of Spanish football, particularly for his contributions to two of the country's most decorated clubs. His early success with Valencia, including the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup triumph, marked him as a rising talent. His subsequent move to Real Madrid solidified his reputation as a top-tier defender, where he played a key role in one of the club's most successful eras, contributing to multiple league titles and domestic cups. His participation in two major international tournaments further underscores his standing as a notable figure in the Spanish national team during the 1980s.