José Cano López (23 April 1956 – 25 November 2000), known as Canito, was a Spanish professional footballer who played during the 1970s and 1980s.
In his career, amongst others, the defensive midfielder represented both major clubs in Barcelona, Español and FC Barcelona. Abroad, he appeared for Belenenses in Portugal.Hasta siempre, Canito (Farewell, Canito); Mundo Deportivo, 26 November 2000 (in Spanish)Canito: um génio levado pela droga após o exílio no Restelo (Canito: a genius taken by drugs after exile at the Restelo); Mais Futebol, 26 November 2013 (in Portuguese)
Club career Born in Llavorsí, Province of Lleida, Catalonia, Canito began playing professionally with RCD Español. After serving two loans, at UE Lleida and Cádiz CF, he moved permanently to the first team.
After solid displays in the 1978–79 season, Canito signed with neighbouring FC Barcelona.Del Espanyol al Barcelona (From Espanyol to Barcelona); Marca, 20 June 2023 (in Spanish) He helped the side to win the Copa del Rey in his second year, but was also ostracised following an incident involving his main club Español: as they were fighting to avoid relegation from La Liga against Hércules CF, he was warming up on the sidelines for Barcelona, and celebrated when the Pericos scored the goal which led to salvation to the fury of the crowd at the Camp Nou.José Cano “CANITO”; Hall of Fame Perico, 15 April 2009 (in Spanish)Canito: el juguete roto (Canito: the broken toy); El Desmarque, 12 May 2016 (in Spanish)
Canito then rejoined Español as part of the deal that sent Urruti in the opposite direction, but left one year later after falling out with coach José María Maguregui. He then represented Real Betis, Real Zaragoza and also spent one season in Portugal with C.F. Os Belenenses, subsequently returning to his country and retiring in amateur football at the age of 32.Canito, al Os Belenenses. (Canito, to Os Belenenses.); El País, 24 August 1985 (in Spanish)
International career Canito earned his sole cap for Spain on 21 December 1978, playing the last 20 minutes of the 1–0 friendly defeat to Italy in Rome.1–0: Los jóvenes «Kubala-Boys» vendieron cara su piel (1–0: Young "Kubala-Boys" made opposition sweat it out); Mundo Deportivo, 22 December 1978 (in Spanish)
Death After retiring, Canito fell into a severe drug addiction. Even though he was aided psychologically and economically by Barcelona and Espanyol's Veterans Associations, he could not recover, and was found dead in his sister's home in La Pobla de Montornès, Province of Tarragona, on 25 November 2000; he was 44 years old.!!Ha muerto Canito!! (Canito is dead!!) ; Web del Culé, 26 November 2000 (in Spanish)
Honours Barcelona Copa del Rey: 1980–81El Barcelona ganó una bonita final de Copa (Barcelona won beautiful Cup final); El País, 19 June 1981 (in Spanish)
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