Born in Madrid (1943), Velázquez developed his footballing career in Real Madrid’s youth ranks, before being loaned out to Rayo Vallecano in 1962/63. It was in 1963 that ‘Malaguista’, Pipi was transferred to Real Madrid, as part of a loan agreement for various Madrid players to join CD Málaga, and Velázquez was amongst them. Manolo was part of CD Málaga between 1963 and 1965, playing a total of 46 League games and scoring 14 goals. In the second season Domingo Balmanya’s CD Málaga achieved promotion to the First Division.
Abdullah Ben Barek, Málaga CF Club adviser and former teammate of Velázquez at CD Málaga, remembers: “I enjoyed a very good stage with him. He was a phenomenal person, very polite and friendly. During his second season we were promoted to the First Division. He was very important to the team, he was loaned out by Real Madrid and really shone with us. Technically he was very good and much loved by the fans. He was a remarkable teammate, both on and off the pitch.”
Velázquez, who lived in Málaga with his wife (a ‘Malagueña) is considered one of the best players throughout Málaga’s history in all the Club’s denominations. Rest in peace.
