Alberto Albístegi Zamacola

Alberto Albístegui Zamacola (born 24 September 1964) is a Spanish retired footballer who could play as a centre back, libero or midfielder. His career was most associated with Real Sociedad, for whom he played 115 La Liga matches in six and a half seasons across two spells, scoring six goals. Zamacola also earned promotion to the top flight on three occasions: with Mallorca in 1988–89, Deportivo La Coruña in 1990–91, and Deportivo Alavés in 1997–98. He made a further 84 first division appearances in a combined four seasons with these three clubs, during which he scored three goals.

Career

Albístegui was born in Eibar, in the province of Gipuzkoa in the Basque Country.

With no prospect of a regular first team spot at Real Sociedad, Albístegui joined Segunda División side Sestao Sport in the summer of 1986. He remained in the squad for the following season, but was mostly not used by coach Lorenzo Serra Ferrer. He played only eight matches that year, He again played an important part in the 1991–92 campaign, making 24 appearances, in which he scored a penalty in the first leg.

In his first two seasons with Depor, Albístegui had operated as a libero or midfielder, but the signing of Brazilian defensive midfielder Mauro Silva from Bragantino in the summer of 1992 saw him convert to an orthodox centre back role. This may have contributed to Deportivo's decision to sign Voro from Valencia and Paco Jémez from Rayo Vallecano, and allow Albístegui to leave that summer.

Albístegui played 30 matches in his first season back at the club, In his first season with Alavés, he secured promotion to the top flight for the third time in his career,

1998–99 was to be Albístegui's last, and fittingly his last appearance came on the final day of the season against Real Sociedad. He was elected, and held several posts in the municipal government between 2015 and 2019.

Personal life

Albístegui's father, also called Alberto, was also a footballer, representing both Real Sociedad and Osasuna in La Liga in the 1950s. Alberto Sr. died in 2015. Alberto Jr.'s brother Germán, older by four years, was a goalkeeper who briefly represented Eibar in the mid-1980s. Germán ran unsuccessfully for the presidency of SD Eibar in 2017. Germán's son Alex is also a professional footballer,

Honours Deportivo La Coruña Segunda División runners-up: 1990–91

Deportivo Alavés Segunda División: 1997–98

Career statistics

1. Appearances in the 1991–92 La Liga relegation playoff