Antonio Lopez

Antonio Lopez Guerrero (Spanish pronunciation: [anˈtonjo ˈlopeθ ɣeˈreɾo]; born 13 September 1981) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played mainly as a left back.

He spent most of his professional career with Atletico Madrid, appearing in more than 300 official matches and winning four major titles, including two Europa League trophies. Also in La Liga, he played for Osasuna.

Lopez represented Spain at the 2006 World Cup.

Club Career

Atletico Madrid

A product of Atletico Madrid's youth system, Lopez was born in Benidorm, Province of Alicante. He first appeared for the first team in 2000–01 whilst the Colchoneros were in the second division, and contributed with 20 matches the following season for a La Liga return, after a two-year hiatus.

Subsequently, Lopez was loaned for two seasons to fellow top division club CA Osasuna, where he missed only five league games combined. During his Navarre spell he scored twice (both of the goals coming in 2002–03), most notably in a 1–0 home success against RCD Espanyol on 15 December 2002.

In his second spell with Atletico, Lopez quickly gained first-choice status. However, during the 2007–08 campaign he lost his position to Mariano Pernia, and would end serving more time at right-back due to injuries to teammates Giourkas Seitaridis and Juan Valera; when selected, he was the side's undisputed captain.

On 15 March 2009, Lopez scored the winner through a rare header as Atletico came from behind 2–2 to beat Villarreal CF at home. After the coach change, with former club player Abel Resino taking over for Javier Aguirre, he was made the starter, but an injury made Pernia finish the season in the starting XI.

Benefitting from a road accident to Pernia in the summer, Lopez played most of the 2009–10 season.

This page also has a version in other languages :  Антонио Лопес (russian)