Luis Aragonés

No figure runs through Atlético de Madrid's history like Luis Aragonés. Born in Hortaleza, Madrid, in 1938, he played for several clubs, including Real Betis, before joining Atlético in 1964. He would spend the rest of his life connected to the club as player, captain, coach and conscience.

The goalscorer

Known as 'Zapatones' (big shoes), Aragonés was a forward and attacking midfielder with a deadly free kick. In ten seasons he won three league titles (1965–66, 1969–70 and 1972–73) and two Copas del Rey, and for decades he was Atlético's all-time top scorer, a record only beaten by Antoine Griezmann. His most famous goal came in the 1974 European Cup final against Bayern Munich in Brussels: a superb free kick in extra time that seemed to have won the trophy, until Bayern equalised in the last minute and won the replay.

The coach

Days after that final he took over as coach, and his first season brought the Intercontinental Cup in 1974. He won La Liga in 1976–77 and the Copa del Rey in 1976, 1985 and 1992, returning to the bench again and again over four decades. In 2001 he came back once more to lead the team out of the Segunda División, giving a young Fernando Torres the confidence to lead the attack.

Spain and legacy

As Spain coach he won Euro 2008, the trophy that opened Spain's golden era. He died in February 2014, months before Atlético won the league again. Supporters still sing his name, and the club's culture of character and pride owes a great deal to the 'Sabio de Hortaleza', the wise man of Hortaleza.