Santamaría Legacy Connects Real Madrid, Espanyol Ahead of Clash

The upcoming 2026-27 season opener will see Espanyol and Real Madrid face each other, a fixture imbued with historical significance through the life of José Emilio Santamaría. Santamaría, who recently passed away at 96 on April 15, left an indelible mark on both Spanish clubs.

He was a legendary defender for Real Madrid during their golden era alongside Alfredo Di Stéfano, contributing to their path to the 1966 European Cup final. Later, Santamaría transitioned to coaching, notably guiding Espanyol to a third-place finish in La Liga in 1973, a club record matched only a few times.

His coaching career also included stints with the Spanish Olympic team in 1970 and 1980, and the senior national team for the 1982 World Cup. This season's encounter serves as a poignant reminder of his enduring influence on Spanish football.