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Santiago Cañizares

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Cañizares and the second or maternal family name is Ruiz.

Santiago Cañizares
Cañizares with Valencia in 2006
Personal information
Full name José Santiago Cañizares Ruiz[1]
Date of birth (1969-12-18) 18 December 1969 (age 55)[1]
Place of birth Madrid, Spain[2]
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
Calvo Sotelo
1985–1988 Real Madrid
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1988–1989 Real Madrid C
1989–1990 Real Madrid B 35 (0)
1988–1992 Real Madrid 0 (0)
1990–1991 → Elche (loan) 7 (0)
1991–1992 → Mérida (loan) 38 (0)
1992–1994 Celta 74 (0)
1994–1998 Real Madrid 41 (0)
1998–2008 Valencia 305 (0)
Total 500 (0)
International career
1985–1986 Spain U16 10 (0)
1987 Spain U17 1 (0)
1986–1988 Spain U18 8 (0)
1988–1989 Spain U19 5 (0)
1989–1990 Spain U20 6 (0)
1990–1991 Spain U21 3 (0)
1991–1992 Spain U23 6 (0)
1993–2006 Spain 46 (0)
Medal record
Representing  Spain
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1992
UEFA European Under-16 Championship
Winner 1986
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

José Santiago Cañizares Ruiz (Spanish pronunciation: [xoˈse sanˈtjaɣo kaɲiˈθaɾes ˈrwiθ]; born 18 December 1969) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

A product of Real Madrid's youth academies, he eventually joined the first team but proved unable to establish himself there, being loaned out twice. He moved to Valencia in 1998, appearing in 418 official matches over the next decade and winning several major titles, including two La Liga championships and the 2004 UEFA Cup.[3]

Cañizares represented Spain in three World Cups and as many European Championships, and won a gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics.

Club career

[edit]

Born in Madrid but raised in Puertollano, Castilla–La Mancha from where his parents hailed,[4][1] Cañizares started his career with Real Madrid in 1988, playing initially with its C team. He started professionally with Elche, Mérida and Celta de Vigo, making his first La Liga appearance with the Galicians in the 1992–93 season, missing only two league games during his tenure and subsequently returning to Real Madrid.[5]

Unable to cement a starting place, his best output being 26 matches during 1997–98 (but he lost his place in the final part of the year to Bodo Illgner, thus missing the 1998 Champions League final),[6][7] Cañizares moved to Valencia in 1998 to replace the retired Andoni Zubizarreta. He helped the club to win the Copa del Rey and Supercopa de España in 1999,[8] also reaching consecutive UEFA Champions League finals (2000 and 2001, saving a penalty from Bayern Munich's Mehmet Scholl in normal time of an eventual penalty shootout defeat in the latter edition)[9] and winning national championships in 2002 and 2004, adding the 2004 UEFA and Super Cups;[10][11] following the latter campaign, the 34-year-old renewed his contract with the Che for a further two years.[12]

In December 2007, Cañizares, alongside teammates Miguel Ángel Angulo and David Albelda, was axed by manager Ronald Koeman,[13] with all three players limited to training and unable to join another side in Spain, having already played four league games. In late April 2008, however, with Koeman's sacking, all three were reinstated by new coach Voro in a squad seriously threatened with relegation, with five rounds remaining; he returned to action on 27 April 2008 as Timo Hildebrand and Juan Luis Mora were injured, in a 3–0 home win against Osasuna.[14]

On 16 May 2008, Cañizares agreed to end his contract with Valencia and leave the club.[15] He played his final game two days later against Atlético Madrid,[16] retiring shortly after at almost 39 years of age and having appeared in exactly 500 league matches – both major levels combined – during exactly two decades.

International career

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Cañizares earned 46 appearances for Spain, debuting on 17 November 1993 in a 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification against Denmark.[17] As Zubizarreta was sent off in the tenth minute, Cañizares kept a clean sheet; the match ended in a 1–0 victory for the Spaniards.[18]

However, Cañizares was often second choice, and only played five games in the major international scene: one in the 1994 World Cup (as Zubi served a one-match ban), three in UEFA Euro 2000 and one in the 2006 World Cup. He was also a squad member at the Euro 1996, 1998 World Cup, and Euro 2004.[19] However, he did not play in any of them, being behind by Zubizarreta in the 1990s and Iker Casillas in 2004. Cañizares was equally an unused player in the gold-winning team at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, where Toni Jiménez appeared in all matches.[20][21]

Cañizares' club form ensured himself starter status in the 2002 World Cup, but he missed out on the tournament due to an accident with an aftershave bottle, which resulted in a severed tendon in his foot.[22] He was also in Spain's squad at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, making his only appearance in Germany and last in his international career in the last group match, a 1–0 victory against Saudi Arabia in Kaiserslautern.[23]

Style of play

[edit]

Cañizares was considered to be one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, with Peter Schmeichel lauding him as the best goalkeeper in the world in 2004.[24][25] Although he was a good shot-stopper who possessed good reflexes and penalty-stopping abilities, he was not known to be a spectacular goalkeeper, although he was capable of producing difficult saves when necessary. He was mainly known for his consistency, composure, outstanding positional, sense and reading of the game, as well as ability to organise the back-line, and was a vocal presence in goal.[26][27][28]

Motor racing career

[edit]

In October 2010, Cañizares competed for the first time in a scoring event for the Spanish Rally Championship, driving a Suzuki Swift with co-driver Dani Cué in the Sierra Morena Rally.[29] The following year, with the same car and the same partner, he was part of the Suzuki Ibérica Motor Sport team.[30]

During a session in the 2016 Sierra Morena Rally, Cañizares crashed his vehicle after attempting to break coming into a bend. He eventually emerged unharmed from the accident.[31]

On 17 June 2017, Cañizares earned his first victory by winning the Rally de la Cerámica with a Porsche 997.[32][33] Later that year, he was crowned Valencian Community champion.[34]

Post-retirement and personal life

[edit]
A representation of Cañizares at the 2019 Falles

After retiring, Cañizares worked as a commentator.[35][36] He fathered seven children from his two marriages, including triplets with his second wife Mayte García.[37]

On 23 March 2018, Cañizares announced the death of his five-year-old son Santi due to cancer.[38] In 2019, he was subjected to controversy after making disapproving comments on the circumstances of José Antonio Reyes' death; following immediate social media backlash, he issued a more compassionate statement of clarification.[39]

On 16 October 2020, it was reported that Cañizares' son Lucas would be included in the squad list of Real Madrid for a league match against Cádiz.[40]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[41]
Club Season League Copa del Rey Europe Other[a] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Real Madrid 1988–89 0 0 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
Castilla 1989–90 35 0 2 0 — — — — 37 0
Elche (loan) 1990–91 7 0 2 0 — — — — 9 0
Mérida (loan) 1991–92 38 0 0 0 — — — — 38 0
Celta 1992–93 36 0 1 0 — — — — 37 0
1993–94 38 0 7 0 — — — — 45 0
Total 74 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 82 0
Real Madrid 1994–95 1 0 0 0 2 0 — — 3 0
1995–96 12 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 16 0
1996–97 2 0 0 0 — — — — 2 0
1997–98 26 0 0 0 6 0 2 0 34 0
Total 41 0 1 0 9 0 4 0 55 0
Valencia 1998–99 38 0 6 0 10 0 — — 54 0
1999–2000 23 0 2 0 13 0 2 0 40 0
2000–01 37 0 0 0 18 0 — — 55 0
2001–02 32 0 1 0 7 0 — — 40 0
2002–03 31 0 0 0 12 0 2 0 45 0
2003–04 37 0 0 0 7 0 — — 44 0
2004–05 29 0 0 0 7 0 2 0 38 0
2005–06 36 0 0 0 5 0 — — 41 0
2006–07 32 0 1 0 11 0 — — 44 0
2007–08 10 0 0 0 5 0 — — 15 0
Total 305 0 10 0 95 0 6 0 416 0
Career total 500 0 23 0 104 0 10 0 637 0
  1. ^ Appearances in Supercopa de España

International

[edit]
Appearances and goals by national team and year[42]
National team Year Apps Goals
Spain 1993 1 0
1994 5 0
1995 2 0
1996 1 0
1997 0 0
1998 5 0
1999 7 0
2000 5 0
2001 6 0
2002 4 0
2003 3 0
2004 5 0
2005 0 0
2006 2 0
Total 46 0

Racing record

[edit]

Career summary

[edit]
Season Series Team Races Wins Poles F/Laps Podiums Points Position
2015 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Dasi Racing Team 1 0 0 0 0 27 36th
Sources: [43]

Complete NASCAR Whelen Euro Series – Elite 2

[edit]
NASCAR Whelen Euro Series – Elite 2 results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 NWESC Pts
2015 Dasi Racing Team 4 Mustang VAL
17 		VAL VEN VEN BRH BRH TOU TOU UMB UMB ZOL ZOL 36th 27

* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points

Honours

[edit]

Real Madrid

Valencia

Spain U16

Spain U23

Individual

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Santiago Cañizares inaugura mañana en Puertollano el pabellón con su nombre" [Santiago Cañizares to inaugurate pavilion in Puertollano named after him tomorrow]. La Información (in Spanish). 20 June 2013. Archived from the original on 15 September 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Santiago CAÑIZARES Ruiz". El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Villa gives Valencia leaving present". FIFA. 18 May 2008. Archived from the original on 20 May 2008. Retrieved 23 July 2008.
  4. ^ "Cañizares – Entrevista exclusiva" [Cañizares – Exclusive interview] (in Spanish). Sólo Porteros. 1 February 2007. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  5. ^ "Santiago Cañizares" (in Spanish). Yo Jugué en el Celta. 13 April 2008. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  6. ^ Carbajosa, Carlos E. (31 January 1998). "Se agranda la portería del Real Madrid" [Real Madrid goal gets larger]. El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  7. ^ Sanfeliu, A. (26 May 2006). "19. Cañizares: Una promesa del judo que acabó bajo palos" [19. Cañizares: A judo promise that ended between the posts]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  8. ^ a b Chilet, Vicent (22 April 2022). ""La final de la Cartuja de 1999 envejece como un buen vino"" ["The 1999 Cartuja final ages like a fine wine"]. Levante-EMV (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Bayern crowned European champions". BBC Sport. 23 May 2001. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  10. ^ a b "Valencia 2–0 Marseille". BBC Sport. 19 May 2004. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  11. ^ a b "El Valencia vence al Oporto en la Supercopa europea" [Valencia beat Porto in European Supercup]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 27 August 2004. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  12. ^ "Cañizares commits to Valencia". UEFA. 26 July 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
  13. ^ "Koeman ratifica el despido de Albelda, Cañizares y Angulo" [Koeman confirms Albelda, Cañizares and Angulo's axeing]. La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 28 December 2007. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  14. ^ "Valencia 3–0 Osasuna". ESPN Soccernet. 27 April 2008. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  15. ^ "Cañizares se desvincula del Valencia" [Cañizares cuts ties with Valencia]. El País (in Spanish). 16 May 2008. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  16. ^ "Valencia 3–1 Atlético Madrid". ESPN Soccernet. 18 May 2008. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  17. ^ Fernández, Alberto (17 November 2015). "Cañizares debutaba en la selección siendo céltico" [Cañizares made national team debut as a céltico]. La Voz de Galicia (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  18. ^ "Santiago Canizares". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  19. ^ Modia, Iván (20 May 2004). "Sáez selects Spain squad". UEFA. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  20. ^ a b Morenilla, Juan (25 February 2007). "Supervivientes de oro" [Golden survivors]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  21. ^ "La Roja de 1992, nuestra medalla de oro Olímpica" [1992's La Roja, our Olympic gold medal] (in Spanish). Antena 3. 3 July 2012. Archived from the original on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  22. ^ "Canizares out of World Cup". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 May 2002. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
  23. ^ "Saudi Arabia 0–1 Spain". BBC Sport. BBC. 23 June 2006. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  24. ^ "Schmeichel's top Euro keepers". BBC. 4 June 2004. Retrieved 26 July 2006.
  25. ^ Hayward, Ben (23 January 2024). "Best goalkeepers of the 2000s". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  26. ^ Brown, Lucas (27 January 2006). "Cañizares keeps the faith". UEFA. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  27. ^ Jones, Lewis (12 July 2020). "Crystal Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita's performances proving the best things in life are free". Sky Sports. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  28. ^ Camedda, Paul (18 December 2021). "Santiago Cañizares, l'eccentrico 'Dragone' fra grandi trionfi e amare delusioni" [Santiago Cañizares, the eccentric 'Dragon' between great triumphs and bitter disappointments] (in Italian). Goal. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  29. ^ "Cañizares con Suzuki en el Rallye Sierra Morena" [Cañizares with Suzuki in the Sierra Morena Rally] (in Spanish). Suzuki. 14 October 2010. Archived from the original on 21 June 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  30. ^ "Entrevista a Santiago Cañizares" [Interview to Santiago Cañizares] (in Spanish). A Todo Motor. 6 June 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  31. ^ "Espectacular accidente de Cañizares en un rally" [Spectacular accident from Cañizares in rally]. La Nueva España (in Spanish). 12 April 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  32. ^ Villarín, Nacho (17 June 2017). "Santiago Cañizares estrena su marcador como piloto de rallies" [Santiago Cañizares starts scoring as a rally driver]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  33. ^ "Santiago Cañizares gana el Rally de la Cerámica" [Santiago Cañizares wins the Rally de la Cerámica]. Super Deporte (in Spanish). 19 June 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  34. ^ "Santiago Cañizares, campeón de rallys de la Comunidad Valenciana" [Santiago Cañizares, Valencian Community rallying champion]. Marca (in Spanish). 26 November 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  35. ^ Pascual, Roger (26 August 2008). "Silva, Hildebrand, Mijatovic e Iturralde, víctimas del debut de Cañizares como comentarista" [Silva, Hildebrand, Mijatovic and Iturralde, victims of Cañizares' commentator debut]. El Periódico de Catalunya (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  36. ^ "'El Día Después' resucita con Juanma Castaño y Santi Cañizares" ['El Día Después' comes back to life with Juanma Castaño and Santi Cañizares] (in Spanish). Cadena SER. 28 August 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  37. ^ "Santiago Cañizares, la aventura de ser padre... de siete hijos" [Santiago Cañizares, the adventure of being a father... of seven sons] (in Spanish). ¡Hola!. 28 June 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  38. ^ "Muere el hijo de Santiago Cañizares a los cinco años" [Son of Santiago Cañizares dies at the age of five]. El País (in Spanish). 23 March 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  39. ^ "Spain legend Santago Canizares sparks debate after tragic death of Jose Antonio Reyes". Fox Sports. 2 June 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  40. ^ Cerezo, Hugo; García-Ochoa, J.I. (16 October 2020). "¡Zidane convoca a Lucas, el hijo de Santi Cañizares!" [Zidane calls Lucas, son of Santi Cañizares!]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  41. ^ Santiago Cañizares at BDFutbol
  42. ^ Pla Díaz, Emilio. "José Santiago Cañizares Ruiz – International Appearances". RSSSF. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
  43. ^ "Santiago Cañizares". Driver Database. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  44. ^ a b Tejedor Carnicero, José Vicente; Di Maggio, Roberto; Torre, Raúl; Lozano Ferrer, Carles. "Spain – List of Super Cup Finals". RSSSF. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  45. ^ Torres, David (25 August 2018). "El mejor Valencia de la historia nació hace 20 años con la Intertoto" [The best Valencia in history was born 20 years ago with the Intertoto] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  46. ^ "Todos los porteros que se quedaron con el Premio Zamora" [All the goalkeepers that got the Zamora Trophy] (in Spanish). Goal. 20 May 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  47. ^ "Team of the Year 2001". UEFA. 3 January 2002. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
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