Feliciano Rivilla facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Feliciano Rivilla

Rivilla in 1962
Personal information
Full name	Feliciano Muñoz Rivilla
Date of birth	(1936-08-21)21 August 1936
Place of birth	Ávila, Spain
Date of death	6 November 2017(2017-11-06) (aged 81)
Place of death	Madrid, Spain
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s)	Right back
Youth career
	Ávila
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1952–1953	Ávila
1953–1954	Murcia	11	(0)
1954–1968	Atlético Madrid	248	(4)
1955–1956	→ Plus Ultra (loan)	26	(14)
1956–1958	→ Rayo Vallecano (loan)	71	(11)
Total		352	(29)
International career
1959	Spain U21	1	(0)
1960–1965	Spain	26	(0)
Medal record Representing  Spain European Nations' Cup Winner 1964 Spain
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Feliciano Muñoz Rivilla (born August 21, 1936 – died November 6, 2017) was a Spanish football player. He was known for playing as a right back.

He spent most of his 16-year career playing for Atlético Madrid. He played 356 games for the club and scored seven goals. With Atlético, he won four major trophies, including the La Liga championship in the 1965–66 season.

Rivilla also played for the Spanish national team in the 1960s. He played in two World Cups. He also helped Spain win the 1964 European Championship.

Playing for Clubs

Feliciano Rivilla was born in Ávila, Spain. He started his football journey with his local team, Real Ávila CF. When he was 17, he joined Real Murcia, a team in the Segunda División (second division).

After one season with Murcia, he signed with La Liga club Atlético Madrid. Atlético then loaned him out for three years. He played for Plus Ultra and Rayo Vallecano. Both of these teams were from Madrid and played in the second division. During this time, he often played as a winger.

Rivilla played his first top-level match for Atlético on September 21, 1958. It was an away game against Valencia CF, which Atlético lost 2–4. He scored his first league goal on February 1, 1959. This was in a 3–3 draw against Sevilla FC.

Later, Rivilla became a key player for Atlético Madrid as a right back. He helped the team win two Copa del Generalísimo trophies. He also played a big part in winning the 1966 national championship. He scored one goal in 24 games during that winning season.

He also played in nine games when Atlético won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in the 1961–62 season. This was a big European trophy.

Rivilla retired from playing football at age 32. A year later, in September 1969, a special game was held for him. Famous player Pelé and his team Santos FC even played in this game. After football, Rivilla worked with home appliances. He also became the president of Atlético's veterans' association.

Playing for Spain

Rivilla played 26 matches for the Spanish national team. His first game was on July 10, 1960. It was a 3–1 friendly win against Peru.

He played only one game in the 1962 FIFA World Cup. This was because he suffered a foot injury. However, he was a starting player when Spain won the 1964 European Nations' Cup. This important tournament was held in Spain.

Rivilla was also chosen for the 1966 FIFA World Cup squad. However, he did not play in any games during that tournament in England. He also played in the very first game for Spain's under-21 team. This was against Italy in 1959.

Later Life and Family

Feliciano Rivilla passed away on November 6, 2017. He was 81 years old and died in Madrid, Spain.

His grandson, Álvaro Muñoz, also became a professional athlete. He played basketball.

Achievements

Atlético Madrid

• La Liga: 1965–66
• Copa del Generalísimo: 1959–60, 1960–61, 1964–65
• UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1961–62

Spain

• UEFA European Championship: 1964

Individual

• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1964

See also

In Spanish: Feliciano Rivilla para niños