Antonio Benítez

Antonio Benítez Fernández (2 June 1951 – 19 February 2014) was a Spanish footballer who played as a left back.

For the Cuban novelist, see Antonio Benítez-Rojo. For the Spanish football player and coach, see Antonio Fernández Benítez.
Antonio Benítez
Personal information
Full name Antonio Benítez Fernández
Date of birth (1951-06-02)2 June 1951
Place of birth Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
Date of death 19 February 2014(2014-02-19) (aged 62)
Place of death Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s) Left back
Youth career
Xerez
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1968–1970 Xerez 49 (3)
1970–1984 Betis 303 (24)
Total 352 (27)
International career
1974 Spain amateur 1 (0)
1974–1977 Spain 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Benítez and the second or maternal family name is Fernández.

Club career

Born in Jerez de la Frontera, Province of Cádiz, Benítez started his career with local Xerez CD in the third division. In 1970, he joined Andalusia neighbours Real Betis, immediately achieving promotion to La Liga as champions.

Benítez made his debut in the top level on 3 October 1971 in a 0–2 away loss against Valencia CF, and finished the season with 28 games and one goal as the Verdiblancos ranked in 13th position, being relegated the following campaign. Late into the decade, he would win the 1977 Copa del Rey,[1] suffer another top flight relegation with his main club in 1978[2] and achieve immediate promotion back; during his early seasons, he played as a left winger.[3]

Benítez retired from football in June 1984 at the age of 33, after only one game in two seasons combined with Betis. He appeared in more than 300 official matches for the club, and later worked in its youth system.[3]

International career

Benítez earned three caps for Spain in as many years, courtesy of manager László Kubala. His debut occurred on 12 October 1974 in a 1–1 friendly with Argentina, in Buenos Aires.

Death

On 19 February 2014, Benítez died in his hometown. He was 62 years old.[4]

Honours
Betis

References
  1. "2–2: Los andaluces remontaron dos ventajas vascas" [2–2: The Andalusians countered Basques' advantage twice]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 26 June 1977. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  2. "1–0: El Real Betis, a Segunda" [1–0: Real Betis, to Segunda]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 8 May 1978. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  3. "Antonio Benítez, campeón de Copa con el Betis en 1977" [Antonio Benítez, Cup champion with Betis in 1977]. El País (in Spanish). 22 February 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  4. "Fallece Antonio Benítez, uno de los campeones de la Copa del Rey de 1977" [Antonio Benítez, part of the 1977 King's Cup-winning squad, dies]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 19 February 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2014.
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