José Antonio Gallardo was born on the last day of 1961 in Torremolinos, in Málaga province. The young José Antonio defended the goal for the youth team of his home town of Torremolinos, moving to the youth ranks of CD Málaga at just 15 years of age.
Within the lower ranks of the Blue and Whites, he matured as a goalkeeper and as a person, until he graduated in the 1984/85 season, making his dream debut in the First Division against Real Sociedad de Fútbol, ending in a victory for Málaga thanks to a goal from his countryman, Ramos.
Since that day, Gallardo took part in 39 official matches (one in the First Division, 20 in the Second, 14 in the Copa del Rey and four in the Copa de LaLiga), becoming the undisputed starting keeper in Antonio Benítez’s team in the 86/87 season.
On the afternoon of 21st December 1986, on matchday 19 of the Second Division against RC Celta de Vigo – in which Gallardo was the Zamora winner of the championship – the keeper suffered a random collision that triggered the fateful outcome.
The Málaga Family dressed in mourning following the loss of an illustrious member of the family. Subsequently, sports newspaper, MARCA posthumously awarded him the Zamora Trophy.
The MCF Foundation wants to remember the figure of José Antonio Gallardo, and his legend will be remembered forever as guardian of door 13 at La Rosaleda, the guardian of Martiricos.
