Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, once again put Hugo Sánchez in the place he deserves. During the inauguration of the Legends: The Ultimate Football Experience exhibition in Mexico City, the Spanish manager assured that the former Mexican striker is part of the quintet of most iconic footballers in the history of the Spanish championship.
“I lived through the time when Hugo Sánchez did not stop scoring goals. Finally, he is among the five iconic players in the Spanish league. There I put Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zidane…”, Tebas pointed out.
An indelible legacy
Sánchez defended three teams in Spain: Atlético de Madrid (1981-1985), Real Madrid (1985-1992) and Rayo Vallecano (1993-1994). In total, he scored 307 official goals with clubs, 234 of them in the First Division. With Atlético he scored 82 goals in 152 games; with Real Madrid, 208 in 282 games; and with Rayo, 17 in 35 games.
His status as Pentapichichi—five Pichichi Trophies—distinguishes him. The first came with Atlético (1984-85); the next four with Real Madrid (1985-86, 1986-87, 1987-88 and 1989-90). In his last coronation he scored 38 goals in one season, all with first touches.
“I believe there has been no striker in Europe who has ever done that. That is being a goalscorer,” concluded Tebas.
For the president of LaLiga, the greatness of Hugo Sánchez is not only measured in numbers, but in the affection he garnered in each institution. “Someone who has been Pichichi five times, who has played for three very important clubs in Spain, as well as being loved by all three, has an extraordinary level. Hugo Sánchez is still talked about in Spain,” he stated.
