MADRID: Former Spain international Enrique Collar, the longest-serving captain in the history of Atletico Madrid who led the team to a league title and three cup successes in the 1960s, has died at the age of 91, the La Liga club said on Monday.
Left winger Collar captained Atletico for 10 years and played 470 matches for the club between 1953 and 1969. He also earned 16 caps for Spain, appearing in the 1962 World Cup in Chile.
“One of our greatest legends has passed away,” Atletico said in a statement.
Collar was on the scoresheet as Atletico defeated eternal rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the 1960 cup final, before winning further cups in 1961 and 1965.
His leadership also saw the Spanish capital’s less fashionable team claim the 1965/66 league title in a decade where Real dominated the top flight.
Collar also led Atletico to their first European title at the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1962. He retired in 1970 after a season at Valencia.
“He lifted all those trophies as team captain, starring in iconic moments such as the clubs first continental triumph, the farewell to the Metropolitano Stadium and the inauguration of the Estadio del Manzanares in 1966,” Atletico said.
“With the passing of Enrique Collar, the Red and White family loses a symbol who gave everything to take Atletico de Madrid to the top of Spanish and European football.”
The flag at the new Metropolitano Stadium, Atletico’s home since 2017, is flying at half-mast in Collar’s memory, the club added.
Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2025
