José Ignacio Collantes Portela was born in Barakaldo (Vizcaya) on 3rd March 1956. After training in the lower categories of Sporting Lutxana, in 1975 he signed to Barakaldo CF, then in the Third Division. With this team, where he remained for four seasons, he achieved promotion to the Second Division.
His performances with the team from Vizcaya sparked interest from CD Málaga, where he joined in the summer of 1979, a season that resulted in CD Málaga’s return to the top flight of Spanish football with Viberti at the helm of the Blue and Whites.
On 9th September 1979 he debuted with Málaga at El Plantío, in the inaugural match of that season, ending in a 1-0 win for the team from Burgos.
In the first round he frequently played matches with CD Málaga, alternating between the starting line-up and on the bench, however injuries meant he barely played in the second round.
In the last match of that league campaign, which ended in relegation for the Malaguistas, it was his last appearance wearing the Blue and White jersey, in the Sporting de Gijón 0-1 CD Málaga clash.
15 League games with 2 goals (against Athletic Club and Real Madrid) and 6 Copa del Rey matches plus one goal (against Martos CD) were his records as a Malaguista.
At the end of the season, he was loaned out to RCD Mallorca, who then played in Second Division, B where he sustained a serious injury when he was an undisputed member of the starting line-up.
Zorroza FC and CD Fuengirola (playing at that time between the Third Division and Second Division B) were his last clubs as a professional player.
Rest in Peace.
