Diego López (Spanish footballer, born 1981) facts for kids
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López playing for Espanyol in 2017
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Diego López Rodríguez | |||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 3 November 1981 | |||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Paradela, Spain | |||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) | |||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | |||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||
| 1990–1994 | Sarriana | |||||||||||||||
| 1994–1999 | Lugo | |||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||
| 1999–2000 | Lugo | 2 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2000–2003 | Real Madrid C | 62 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2001–2002 | → Alcorcón (loan) | 0 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2003–2005 | Real Madrid B | 41 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2005–2007 | Real Madrid | 2 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2007–2012 | Villarreal | 171 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2012–2013 | Sevilla | 8 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2013–2014 | Real Madrid | 52 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2014–2017 | AC Milan | 36 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2016–2017 | → Espanyol (loan) | 35 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2017–2022 | Espanyol | 160 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2022–2023 | Rayo Vallecano | 2 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| Total | 571 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||
| 2001 | Spain U18 | 1 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2009 | Spain | 1 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2005–2007 | Galicia | 3 | (0) | |||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||
Diego López Rodríguez (born 3 November 1981) is a Spanish former professional footballer. He played as a goalkeeper.
Diego López spent seven years with Real Madrid at different levels. He became well-known in La Liga while playing for Villarreal. He played in 230 official games over five seasons with them. In 2013, after a short time with Sevilla, he returned to Real Madrid.
López also played for the Spanish national team in the 2009 Confederations Cup. He retired from football in December 2023, at the age of 42.
Contents
Diego López's Football Journey
Starting at Real Madrid
Diego López was born in Paradela, Lugo, Galicia, Spain. He started playing football in his hometown with CD Lugo. When he was 18, he joined Real Madrid. After a loan spell at AD Alcorcón, he moved up to Real Madrid's B team, called Real Madrid B. He became a starter in his second season, helping the team get promoted to the Segunda División.
López was the backup goalkeeper for Iker Casillas in Real Madrid's main team for two seasons. He played in a few games during this time, including some La Liga matches and a UEFA Champions League game.
Time with Villarreal
In June 2007, López joined Villarreal CF for about €6 million. He started as the second-choice goalkeeper but soon became the main one because of his great performances. He played in the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Cup.
López played every minute of every league game in the 2008–09 season, helping Villarreal finish fifth. The next season was similar, but the team finished seventh. However, they still got a spot in the UEFA Europa League because another team was removed.
In the 2011–12 season, López played almost every league game. Villarreal was unfortunately relegated that year after 12 years in the top league. Diego López set a record for playing 121 consecutive top-flight games, which was later broken by Iñaki Williams.
Playing for Sevilla
On 22 May 2012, López signed a five-year contract with Sevilla for about €3.5 million. He shared the role of first-choice goalkeeper with Andrés Palop during his time there.
Returning to Real Madrid
On 25 January 2013, Diego López returned to Real Madrid. This happened after their main goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, injured his hand. López signed a contract until June 2017. He said he had always dreamed of coming back to the club.
López played his first game back on 30 January 2013, in a 1–1 draw against FC Barcelona in the Spanish Cup semi-finals. On 5 March, he made many important saves in a 2–1 win against Manchester United in the Champions League. His coach, José Mourinho, even said López was the best player on his team that day. He continued to be the main goalkeeper until the end of the season, even after Casillas was healthy again.
López kept his number one spot at the start of the next season under the new coach, Carlo Ancelotti. However, Casillas played in the Champions League and the domestic cup games.
Time with AC Milan
On 13 August 2014, Diego López moved to AC Milan in Italy. He played his first game for them on 31 August in the first match of the new Serie A season. He saved a late penalty kick, helping his team win 3–1 against SS Lazio. In September, he got a thigh injury that kept him out of play for almost a month.
In the 2015–16 season, after three matches without a win, the manager decided to play 16-year-old Gianluigi Donnarumma instead of López.
Playing for Espanyol
On 31 August 2016, López joined RCD Espanyol on a loan for the season. He was named La Liga Player of the Month in November because he didn't let any goals in during three matches.
López's move to Espanyol became permanent on 23 May 2017. He signed a three-year deal. Later, another goalkeeper, Pau López, took his starting spot. But after Pau López left, Diego López became the main goalkeeper again. He was the only player to play in all 38 games of the 2018–19 season.
In August 2020, after Espanyol was relegated, López, who was almost 39, signed for another season. That year, he had the best record for a goalkeeper, letting in only 25 goals in 40 matches. Espanyol won the league title that season.
Final Club: Rayo Vallecano
López signed a one-year contract with Rayo Vallecano on 2 July 2022. He joined them as a free agent, meaning his contract with his previous club had ended. In December 2023, after being without a club for six months, he announced his retirement from football at the age of 42.
Playing for His Country
Spain National Team
Diego López was chosen as the third goalkeeper for the Spanish national team in March/April 2009. He was part of the squad for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa, but he did not play in any matches there.
López played his only game for Spain on 12 August 2009. He came on for the last 30 minutes of a friendly match against Macedonia, which Spain won 3–2. He did not let in any goals during his time on the field.
Galicia Team
López also played three times for the unofficial Galicia team. His first game for them was on 29 December 2005, which was their first match in 75 years. They won 3–2 against Uruguay.
How Diego López Played
Diego López was a strong and skilled goalkeeper. He was tall and had a powerful presence. He was known for being a good leader and for his excellent handling skills, which helped him catch crosses. He had quick reactions, stayed focused, and had a good sense of where to be on the field, making him great at stopping shots.
López was also known for his control of the ball, how he passed it, and his speed when he would rush out of his goal to stop opponents.
Personal Life
Diego López married Iria Otero on 11 June 2011. They have three children together.
Career Statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Lugo | 1999–2000 | Segunda División B | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | |||
| Real Madrid C | 2000–01 | Tercera División | 38 | 0 | — | — | — | 38 | 0 | |||
| 2002–03 | Tercera División | 24 | 0 | — | — | — | 24 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 62 | 0 | — | — | — | 62 | 0 | |||||
| Alcorcón (loan) | 2001–02 | Segunda División B | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Real Madrid B | 2003–04 | Segunda División B | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | 6 | 0 | |||
| 2004–05 | Segunda División B | 35 | 0 | — | — | — | 35 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 41 | 0 | — | — | — | 41 | 0 | |||||
| Real Madrid | 2005–06 | La Liga | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 6 | 0 | |
| 2006–07 | La Liga | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | ||
| Total | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 11 | 0 | |||
| Villarreal | 2007–08 | La Liga | 20 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 0 | — | 34 | 0 | |
| 2008–09 | La Liga | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | — | 47 | 0 | ||
| 2009–10 | La Liga | 38 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | — | 49 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11 | La Liga | 38 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 0 | — | 55 | 0 | ||
| 2011–12 | La Liga | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | — | 45 | 0 | ||
| Total | 171 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 49 | 0 | — | 230 | 0 | |||
| Sevilla | 2012–13 | La Liga | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Real Madrid | 2012–13 | La Liga | 16 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — | 25 | 0 | |
| 2013–14 | La Liga | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 37 | 0 | ||
| Total | 52 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | — | 62 | 0 | |||
| AC Milan | 2014–15 | Serie A | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 28 | 0 | ||
| 2015–16 | Serie A | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 9 | 0 | |||
| Total | 36 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 37 | 0 | ||||
| Espanyol (loan) | 2016–17 | La Liga | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 35 | 0 | ||
| Espanyol | 2017–18 | La Liga | 10 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 15 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19 | La Liga | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 38 | 0 | |||
| 2019–20 | La Liga | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | — | 47 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21 | Segunda División | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 40 | 0 | |||
| 2021–22 | La Liga | 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 38 | 0 | |||
| Total | 195 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 11 | 0 | — | 213 | 0 | |||
| Rayo Vallecano | 2022–23 | La Liga | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 571 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 69 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 674 | 0 | ||
Awards and Achievements
Real Madrid
- Copa del Rey: 2013–14 (won); runner-up 2012–13
- UEFA Champions League: 2013–14
Espanyol
- Segunda División: 2020–21
Spain
- FIFA Confederations Cup third place: 2009
Individual
- La Liga Player of the Month: November 2016
See also
In Spanish: Diego López Rodríguez para niños
