Goyo Benito


Gregorio "Goyo" Benito Rubio was a Spanish footballer who played as a central defender. He spent most of his 16-year professional career with Real Madrid.

Club career

Benito was born in El Puente del Arzobispo, Toledo, Castile-La Mancha. After practicing track and field in his early teens, inclusively being national javelin throw champion at school level, he signed for La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid in the summer of 1963, aged nearly 17. After two years on loan to neighbouring Rayo Vallecano, in Segunda División, he returned to his main club, remaining there for the following 14 seasons and winning six leagues and five Spanish Cups.
In 1982, after just 16 league appearances in his last two seasons combined, Benito retired from football at the age of 35. He amassed Real Madrid official totals of 420 games and three goals; for his services to the club, he was only one of two players to have the Laureada being bestowed upon him by president Santiago Bernabéu – the other being Pirri.

International career

Benito earned 22 caps for Spain, over roughly seven years. His debut was on 9 May 1971 in a 2–0 away win against Cyprus for the UEFA Euro 1972 qualifiers, but he would never take part in any major international tournament as the national team failed to qualify for any during that timeframe.
Additionally, Benito was part of the squad at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico, playing all the matches for the eventual quarter-finalists.

Death

Benito spent his final years in a nursing home in Madrid, suffering from Alzheimer's disease. On 2 April 2020, the 73-year-old died of COVID-19 after his residence was one of several hit by the pandemic.

Honours

Real Madrid