José Santamaría

Club career Born in Montevideo to Spanish parents, Santamaría played for local Nacional in his country, winning five national championships during his spell. The 28-year-old moved abroad in 1957, signing with Real Madrid where he remained until the end of his career.

Santamaría totalled 34 appearances between La Liga and the European Cup in his first season at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, winning both tournaments. He went on to add a further ten major trophies to his collection, being first-choice for the vast majority of his stint.

Having earned the nickname 'The Wall' for his consistent defensive displays, Santamaría retired at the end of the 1965–66 campaign aged 36, featuring twice in that year's European Cup en route to another triumph (against Feyenoord and at Kilmarnock). He played 337 competitive matches for Real Madrid.

International career Santamaría was first called up to play for Uruguay in the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, being selected to fill an inside forward slot in the squad but seeing the request denied by his club on the grounds that he was a defender. being dismissed on 21 December 1977 following a 4–0 away loss against Racing de Santander.

After working with the youth sides, including two years with the under-21s, He was relieved of his duties at the end of the competition as Spain were unable to progress from the second group phase, and quit football altogether to pursue other interests.

Death Santamaría died in Madrid on 15 April 2026, at the age of 96.

Honours

Nacional Uruguayan Primera División: 1950, 1952, 1955, 1956, 1957 European Cup: 1957–58, 1958–59, 1959–60, 1965–66 World Soccer World XI: 1960 IFFHS Uruguayan Men's Dream Team