Luis Arconada
Name: Luis Miguel Arconada Etxarri
Club Appearences: 551 - Real Sociedad - 1973-1989
National Appearences: 68 - Spain
Biography:
Luis Arconada was a fine exponent of goalkeeping, who chalked up many club and international appearances in his 16 year keeping career.
He played in the 78 and 82 World Cups for Spain, as well as the now infamous Euro 84 Final, which Spain lost 2-0 to France following Arconada’s error (see story and video below)
Aside from this error, Arconada was one of the greatest ever goalkeepers, and he was a key figure in Real Sociedad reaching the European Cup Semi Final in 1983. Arconada was also captain of Spain on a number of occasions.
Goalkeeping Ability
Luis Arconada, perhaps the greatest Spanish goalkeeper of all time, not tall(1.79m/5″10.5′) for a goalkeeper, but he more than made up for this with supreme athleticism and speed. Perhaps Luis Arconada will be unfairly remembered by many for his uncharacteristically nervy and inconsistent displays during the 1982 World Cup where he was spanish captain. It has been suggested that the enormity of the occasion and the pressure from the home nation got to Arconada.
Primera Liga Triumph
It would be more fitting if people could have recalled his contribution to Real Sociedad’s Championship Winning campaigns of the early 1980’s, when Arconada almost single-handedly won the Primera Liga with a string of magnificent performances.
He would, however pay for another high profile error in the 1984 European Championship against France; letting Michel Platini’s Free- Kick slip under his body to allow France to break the deadlock. More bad luck followed for him in the national team; he injured his knee in 1985 during a league match, making a spectacular save; consequently ruling him out of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. He would never play for the national team again.
Some of his greatest moments include a triple save against England in the 1980 European Championsip which was especially memorable, and his fine performances which enabled Spain to reach the European championship final in 1984, sadly though, it was that error that most remember. Arconada earned 68 caps during his time in the Spanish national team, many as captain.
The Famous Mistake
In the Euro ‘84 Final, with the score deadlocked between Spain and France at 0-0 after 59 minutes, Michel Platini hit an inoccuous looking direct free kick towards the bottom right hand corner of Arconada’s goal.
He looked to have the shot well covered, but the ball eluded his grasp and rolled agonisingly over the line.
This has led the French to call such goalkeeping mistakes “Arconadas” - this practice is still done today! Arconada, however, is best remembered for his great athleticism.
View the fatal mistake on video:
Arconada in Full Flight
Forget about that one error, Arconada was an incredibly athletic keeper.
Watch him starring in this advert for Coke. Some classic training drills. Notice the prerequisite lack of fear as he dives high and makes some heavy impacts with the ground. A true keeping great!
More Arconada Videos
Many thanks to Gino Bartali who suggested the following Arconada videos:
Gino Bartali: When the danish goal, he´s just touched the ball before (incredible!)
The Museum of Goalkeeping - created by keepers & goalkeeping enthusiasts to celebrate the Art of Goalkeeping throughout the history of football!
November 1st, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Arconada: a weak goalkeeper for air balls, but the best goalkeeper ever under the cage, in my opinion
See (video added to post - thanks!)
When the dannish goal, he´s just touched the ball before (incredible!)
See also (video added to post - thanks!) : it resumes what I´m saying
Unfortunately, many many save videos can not be found.
November 19th, 2007 at 2:54 am
Thanks for that Gino - we’ve added your suggested videos to the original entry on Arconada.
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:55 am
ben onu çok severdim. hiçbir maçını izleyemedim. ancak uefa 1984 şampiyonsasında gazetelerden tanıdığım muhteşem kalecidir. keşke onunla tanışabilsem. çocukluğumun idoluydu.. onun gibi bir kaleci olmak istiyordum hep
April 3rd, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Querido amigo:
Por medio de estas líneas quiero agradecerte el detalle que has tenido al recordar en esta magnífica página que has creado a uno de los grandes de la portería de la historia del fútbol.
Yo crecí queriendo ser Arconada como la mayoría de niños de mi edad en España. Ahora con elpaso de los años puedo presumir de haber crecido a la par de la etapa más grande de Luis Arconada como portero tanto de la Real Sociedad como de la selección española.
Arconada marcó estilo, fue el primer gran ídolo en España en el terreno futbolístico y por su carácter, profesionalidad y capacidad de mando, además de impresionantes actuaciones se convirtió en algo, que muchos años después de su retirada sigue siendo: un símbolo.
Si quieres ver alguna cosa más del mejor portero de todos los tiempos que ha dado España, cuna de grandes guardametas, puedes visitar: http://www.luisarconada.com
La página que he creado para rendir homenaje a Luis Miguel Arconada Echarri, el homenaje que el fútbol español no ha sabido darle.
Un saludo
José Miguel Muñoz
http://www.luisarconada.com
April 17th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Hey chap, thanks for the comment. Struggling to understand you though. Will get your comment translated by my Spanish pals.
April 17th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Here’s a bad translation I got from the internet. Not the best, but you get the meaning, no?
”
Dear Friend:
Through these lines I want to thank the detail that you had to remember in this magnificent site that has created one of the greatest of the goal in the history of soccer.
I grew up wanting to be Arconada like most boys my age in Spain. Now with elpaso the years can boast of having grown the largest stage as goalkeeper Luis Arconada both the Royal Society and the Spanish selection.
Arconada marked style, it was the first big idol in Spain in the football field and for his character, professionalism and leadership, in addition to impressive performances became something that many years after his retirement remains a symbol.
If you want to see something more in the best goalkeeper of all time which gave Spain, the cradle of great gatekeepers, please visit: http://www.luisarconada.com
The page I created an homage to Luis Miguel Arconada Echarri, the homage to the Spanish soccer has failed to give.
Regards “