Roberto Solozábal Villanueva (born 15 September 1969) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a central defender.
He appeared in 273 La Liga games over 11 seasons, representing in the competition Atlético Madrid and Betis.
Club career Atlético Madrid A product of local Atlético Madrid's youth system, Madrid-born Solozábal represented the first team from 1989 to 1997, his debut being on 2 September in a 3–1 away win against Valencia CF (90 minutes played). Other than his first season – ten appearances – he never played less than 18 La Liga games during his eight-year spell.
During the 1995–96 campaign, Solózabal formed a solid centre-back partnership with another Colchonero youth graduate, Juan Manuel López, as the capital side achieved an historic double, with the former featuring in 40 league matches.
Betis After leaving Atlético, Solozábal signed with Real Betis.Solozábal ya es futbolista del Betis (Solozábal is already a Betis footballer); El País, 23 July 1997 (in Spanish) In his last season, where the Andalusian club was relegated and he was ousted from the squad for allegedly organising a riot, he ultimately took it to court for lack of payment in a suit which lasted several years, with the player having already retired.El Betis despide a Solozábal un mes después del motín del equipo (Betis fire Solozábal one month after team riot); El País, 8 September 2000 (in Spanish)Un juez da la razón al Betis ante Solozábal (Judge rules in favour of Betis against Solozábal); El País, 22 February 2001 (in Spanish)
International career Solozábal was captain of the Spanish side that won the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, and also earned 12 full caps in two years, the first coming on 17 April 1991 in a 2–0 friendly loss to Romania in Cáceres.De nuevo vencidos y sin gloria (Again beaten hopelessly); Mundo Deportivo, 18 April 1991 (in Spanish)
Personal life Solozábal's second son Hugo was also a professional footballer. The oldest, Iker (born 2001), was a triathlete.
Honours Atlético Madrid La Liga: 1995–96 Copa del Rey: 1990–91, 1991–92, 1995–96
Spain U23 Summer Olympic Games: 1992
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