1. Overview
Pedro Contreras González (born 7 January 1972), nicknamed El Koke, is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Standing at 71 in (180 cm), a product of Real Madrid's youth system, he spent significant time with their reserve team before making limited appearances for the senior squad, notably earning a UEFA Champions League winner's medal in 1998 without playing. Throughout his career, he played in 246 La Liga games over 13 seasons, representing Real Madrid, Rayo Vallecano, Málaga, and Betis. He was the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for Málaga for several seasons. Contreras also earned a single cap for the Spanish national team and was part of their squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. After retiring as a player, he transitioned into coaching, serving as a goalkeeping coach for his former club, Málaga.
2. Club career
Pedro Contreras González's professional playing career spanned several Spanish clubs, where he developed from a youth prospect into an established La Liga goalkeeper.
2.1. Real Madrid
Contreras began his football journey within the prestigious Real Madrid system, progressing through their youth ranks before reaching the senior team.
2.1.1. Youth and B team
Born in Madrid, Contreras joined the Real Madrid youth system. He spent four years playing for the club's B-side, Real Madrid Castilla, where he made 44 appearances as a goalkeeper. This period was crucial for his development within the club's structure.
2.1.2. First team and Champions League
Despite his time in the youth and reserve teams, Contreras had limited opportunities with Real Madrid's first team. He appeared in four first-team games during the 1998-99 La Liga season, a campaign in which Real Madrid finished as runners-up. Notably, he was part of the squad that won the 1998 UEFA Champions League, although he did not play a single minute in the competition that season.
2.2. Rayo Vallecano (loan)
For the 1996-97 season, Contreras was loaned out to Rayo Vallecano. During this loan spell, he became a consistent starter, missing only one league match out of 42 total fixtures. Despite his consistent participation, Rayo Vallecano was ultimately relegated from La Liga at the end of the season.
2.3. Málaga CF
Contreras moved to Málaga in the 1999-2000 season, where he established himself as the undisputed primary goalkeeper. He became a key player for the club, missing only six top division contests between 1999 and 2003. During his four seasons at Málaga, he made 146 appearances and contributed significantly to the team's success, including winning the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2002.
2.4. Real Betis
In the summer of 2003, Contreras signed with Real Betis. He made 22 league appearances during his debut campaign in 2003-04. However, his playing time was significantly reduced in the following season, where he made no appearances due to injury and the emergence of fellow goalkeeper Toni Doblas. In the 2005-06 season, he participated in both the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Champions League. A notable performance was keeping a clean sheet against Chelsea in a 1-0 group stage win during the 2005-06 UEFA Champions League campaign.
2.5. Cádiz CF (loan)
For the 2007-08 season, Contreras was loaned to Cádiz, another club in Andalusia playing in the Segunda División. He played 36 games for Cádiz during this period. At the end of the season, Contreras was released by Real Betis and subsequently retired from professional football.
3. International career
Pedro Contreras González had a brief but notable involvement with the Spanish national football team, including participation in a major international tournament.
3.1. 2002 FIFA World Cup
Contreras was selected as the third-choice goalkeeper for the Spain national team in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. His inclusion in coach José Antonio Camacho's squad was a late addition, following an injury sustained by the first-choice goalkeeper, Santiago Cañizares.
3.2. National team cap
Contreras earned his only international cap for Spain in a match against Paraguay. The game, a 0-0 home draw, took place in Logroño on 16 October 2002.
4. Coaching career
Following his retirement from playing, Pedro Contreras transitioned into a coaching role, primarily focusing on goalkeeping. He rejoined his former club, Málaga, as a goalkeeping coach. He served in this position for several years before resigning on 18 January 2020.
5. Honours
;Real Madrid
- Supercopa de España: 1997
;Málaga
- UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2002
;Real Betis
- Copa del Rey: 2004-05