Real Madrid: La Quinta del Buitre

Real Madrid C.F. is better known for buying legends rather than making them. However, there have been many players who came through ranks of Castilla and made it to the top like Iker Casillas, Guti, Ruben de la Red and many more. Apart from the Ye-Ye’s and Galácticos, there’s another team that madridistas hold close to their hearts: La Quinta del Buitre. The name is a moniker that was derived from Emilio Butragueno’s nickname El Buitre (Vulture). The Vulture’s Cohort consists of Emilio Butragueno, Manolo Sanchis, Martin Vazquez, Michel and Miguel Pardeza. They were all the part of Castilla team under Amancio, which won the Segunda Division (1983–84).

At a time when it looked like Madrid was losing it’s grip over league title, these 5 homegrown players came to its aid. La Quinta del Buitre along with Hugo Sanchez, Francisco Buyo and Chendo took Europe by storm during the second half of the 1980s, winning two UEFA Cups, five La Ligas in a row, a Spanish cup and three Spanish Super Cups.

El Buitre, the leader of the generation, was a ferocious forward renown for the magic of his football. The defenders always feared the magic touch of Butragueno, who usually won the battle with remarkable ease. Manolo Sanchis was a centre back, the first of his generation to rely on his intelligence rather than body. Michel, a classy winger, was great with both feet. Martin Vazquez, technically gifted, was the most underrated player of the Quinta. The last of the cohort and the first to leave was Miguel Pardeza, another classy striker, but who struggled to find his place in the team.

Another player who played with La Quinta del Buitre was Juan Gomez Gonzalez aka Juanito and still serves as an inspiration for madridistas. He was a clinical striker in possession of tremendous dribbling ability. Juanito is considered by most of Real Madrid fans to represent the essence of what the club is about and also because of all the succesfull comebacks he often led the team to. Although his career was overshadowed by a fierce character, Juanito continues to be remembered in the seventh minute of every home game.

The Cohort made their debut for the first team in the 1983-84 season, under Di Stefano. Emilio Butragueno had an unforgettable debut – Madrid were losing 2-0 before El Buitre appeared to score 2 goals and give one assist to overcome the result and give the victory to Real Madrid. They spent more time in Segunda Division that season to help Castilla get the title, the only time that a B team has won the second division title in Spain.

The 1984-85 season was fruitful for all the members except for Pardeza, as they enjoyed lots of first team minutes under new manager Amancio. The following season was historical – following the signings of Hugo Sanchez and Maceda, the team won the La Liga as well as the UEFA cup. Their season didn’t stop there, as La Quinta del Buitre played an important role for Spain in the 1986 World Cup. Butragueno gained critical acclaim for his performance against Denmark.

For the 1986/1987 season, all the five members of La Quinta were again part of the team, with Pardeza returning from his loan season in Zaragoza, as Real Madrid went on to win a 2nd consecutive La Liga title. Vazquez was on top of his form during the 1989-90 season and asked for a pay raise. On being declined, he left for Torino. Butragueno left the club in 1995 and Michel in 1996, to play for mexican club Celaya. Sanchis chose to stay, and he went on to win 2 European titles before retiring.

Quinta del Buitre was the engine behind the transformation of Spanish football and, along with Cryuff’s Barcelona, the two dominated a decade of Spanish football. Only bad luck prevented this Real Madrid team from winning in Europe.