Xisco (footballer, born 1980)


Francisco Javier Muñoz Llompart, known as Xisco, is a Spanish former professional footballer who played mainly as a left winger.
He amassed La Liga totals of 194 matches and 20 goals over nine seasons, mainly in representation of Betis. He also appeared in the competition for Valencia, Tenerife, Recreativo and Levante, winning the 2004 UEFA Cup with the first club.
Starting in 2011, Xisco spent four years in Georgia with Dinamo Tbilisi.

Club career

Valencia

Xisco was born in Manacor, Balearic Islands. After graduating from Valencia CF's B-team he moved on loan to Recreativo de Huelva of the second division, scoring ten goals during his only season. He then joined CD Tenerife in 2001–02, playing 28 games before returning to his previous club for the 2002–03 campaign, still in La Liga.
Xisco returned to Valencia in summer 2003 for two additional seasons, making 22 appearances as the Che conquered the 2004 league title. He added eight matches in their victorious campaign in the UEFA Cup, also in that year.

Betis

Xisco signed with Real Betis in 2005 on a six-year deal, often delivering in various attacking positions and displaying all-around teamwork. He netted three times in 2006–07, including a couple of late goals against Racing de Santander and Gimnàstic de Tarragona as the Andalusians only avoided top-flight relegation in the last matchday.
In an unassuming 2008–09 season, which ended in relegation, Xisco only featured in nine matches, scoring once. Dark spots included being replaced after having himself being used as a substitute in a 1–2 home defeat to Málaga CF, on 11 January 2009.

Levante and later years

In the dying minutes of the August 2009 transfer window, Xisco rescinded his Betis contract and joined Levante UD also in the second level, for two seasons. In his first he played the most he had in years, also scoring eight goals as the Valencian Community side returned to the top division after a two-year absence.
Xisco contributed with 26 games – 18 starts – in 2010–11, as Levante finally retained their division status. On 22 January 2011 he scored his only goal of the campaign, in a 1–4 away loss against Sevilla FC, and he was released in June.
Already aged 30, Xisco moved abroad for the first time, signing with FC Dinamo Tbilisi in Georgia and sharing teams with several compatriots. In 2012–13, he won the Premier League and also scored a career-best 22 goals, best in the competition.
On 14 December 2014, Xisco returned to his homeland after agreeing to an 18-month deal with third-tier's Gimnàstic de Tarragona. On 18 June 2016, he announced his retirement and became Vicente Moreno's assistant.
Xisco returned to Dinamo Tbilisi in January 2019, as part of Zaur Svanadze's staff. He left at the end of the year, after the team had recovered their league crown following a three-year absence.

Personal life

Xisco was the older brother of another footballer, Toni Muñoz. He appeared once for RCD Mallorca's first team, but spent the vast majority of his career in the lower leagues of his country.

Club statistics

Honours

Club

Valencia
Dinamo Tbilisi