On 10th November 1954, Juan Gómez was born in Los Boliches, Fuengirola. At 15 years old, he moved to the Spanish capital to play in Atlético de Madrid’s youth ranks. In 1973 he headed to Burgos, achieving the first promotion to the First Division in the history of the Burgos team, three years later. In 1976 he took part in the Olympic Games in Montreal with the national team, and shortly afterwards he became an absolute international (34 matches, eight goals), competing in the World Cup in Argentina in ’78 and Spain in ’82.
And in 1977 he signed to Real Madrid, becoming a true icon with the Madrid fans. During 10 seasons, he won five Leagues, two Copas del Rey, one League Cup and two UEFA Cups, as well as a ‘Pichichi’ trophy in the 1983/84 season. Juanito, in 1987, came back to become a prophet in his home land. He was the pillar of ‘Super Málaga’, and with Kubala as coach ascended to the First Division, scoring 10 goals (eight in La Rosaleda) in the unforgettable 1987/88 season. In his second and final year with CD Málaga, Juanito was a key player with his gameplay (and five goals) to secure permanency in the elite. In total, he wore the Blue and Whites’ shirt on 77 occasions.
There was a tribute match held at Martiricos on 27th June 1989, with his great friend, Curro Romero symbolically cutting the ponytail like the bullfighter he was at heart. Juan was technical secretary of the Club between 1989 and 1991, then he put his boots back on and helped CD Los Boliches secure salvation in Second B. He subsequently made his coaching debut with Mérida in the Second Division, taking the Extremadura-based side to dream of the First Division, until a traffic accident cost him his life on 2nd April 1992. Juanito passed away and a Legend was born.
