Hugo Sánchez Márquez (born July 11, 1958) is a Mexican former professional footballer and manager.
He began his career playing for Pumas de la UNAM in 1976, and briefly on loan to the San Diego Sockers (NASL) of the North American Soccer League in 1979. He returned to UNAM in 1980. Sánchez then moved to Spain to play for Atlético Madrid in 1981, playing for the Colchoneros for four years before moving to cross-town rivals Real Madrid, where he would experience the best years of his career, winning numerous titles and accolades. He is currently the third highest scorer in the history of Spain’s top division.
Sánchez was a member of the Selección de fútbol de México (Mexico national team), gaining 58 caps and scoring 29 goals. He participated in three FIFA World Cup tournaments and starred in the Mexico team that reached the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup.
As a manager, he won two-consecutive league championships with UNAM. After managing Necaxa, he was announced as coach of the Mexico in 2006, but was fired on 31 March 2008 based on poor results. In 2009, Sánchez was named manager of UD Almería of the La Liga (LFP; Professional Football League) (First Division) in an attempt to save the team from relegation. Almería was not subject to relegation for the 2009–2010 season.
A prolific goalscorer known for his spectacular strikes and volleys, in 1999, the IFFHS voted Sánchez the 26th best footballer of the 20th century, and the best footballer from the CONCACAF region. In 2004 Sánchez was named in the FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living players.
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