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Goyo Benito
Goyo Benito.jpg
Benito in 1973
Personal information
Full name Gregorio Benito Rubio
Date of birth (1946-10-21)21 October 1946
Place of birth Puente del Arzobispo, Spain
Date of death 2 April 2020(2020-04-02) (aged 73)
Place of death Madrid, Spain
Height 1.80 m
Playing position Centre back
Youth career
Salesianos Atocha
1963–1966 Real Madrid
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1966–1982 Real Madrid 317 (2)
1966–1968 Rayo Vallecano (loan) 43 (0)
Total 360 (2)
National team
1969–1970 Spain U23 2 (0)
1966–1970 Spain amateur 13 (0)
1971–1978 Spain 22 (0)
  • Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Gregorio "Goyo" Benito Rubio (born October 21, 1946 – died April 2, 2020) was a Spanish football player. He was known as a strong central defender. Goyo spent almost all of his 16-year career playing for the famous club Real Madrid.

Goyo's Football Journey

Goyo Benito was born in a town called El Puente del Arzobispo in Spain. When he was younger, he was very good at sports. He even won a national school championship in javelin throw (a sport where you throw a spear).

In 1963, when Goyo was almost 17, he joined Real Madrid. This is one of the biggest football clubs in Spain. Before playing for Real Madrid's main team, he spent two years on loan. He played for a nearby team called Rayo Vallecano. This team was in the Segunda División, which is the second-highest football league in Spain.

Playing for Real Madrid

After his loan, Goyo returned to Real Madrid. He stayed with them for 14 seasons. During this time, he helped his team win many important titles. He won six La Liga titles, which is the top Spanish football league. He also won five Spanish Cups.

Goyo Benito retired from football in 1982. He was 35 years old. He played a total of 420 games for Real Madrid. He was one of only two players to receive a special award called the Laureada. This award was given by the club's president, Santiago Bernabéu. The other player to receive it was Pirri.

International Matches

Goyo Benito also played for the Spanish national team. He played 22 matches for his country over about seven years. His first game was on May 9, 1971. Spain won that game 2–0 against Cyprus.

Goyo was also part of the Spanish team at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico. He played in all the matches for his team. They reached the quarter-finals of the tournament.

Later Life and Passing

In his later years, Goyo Benito lived in a nursing home in Madrid. He was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. On April 2, 2020, Goyo passed away at the age of 73. He died from COVID-19. His nursing home was one of many places affected by the pandemic in Spain.

Awards and Trophies

Real Madrid

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Goyo Benito para niños

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