Real Madrid - Barcelona: the Marcos Alonso story, from grandfather to father to grandson
Marcos Alonso Imaz was born in Santander, where he grew up and dreamed of becoming a footballer. After joining his hometown team, Racing, he was bought by Santiago Bernabeu's Real Madrid. The legendary president formed a team that made history, winning the first five consecutive European Cups. And along with legends such as Di Stefano, Paco Gento, Rial and Puskas, among others, there was Marquitos leading the defense. He scored a historic goal in the first final played in 1956. He started from his own half to reach the opposing goal and bagged the equalizer at 3-3, after which Los Blancos began the history of their magical comebacks.
He played at the club for no more and no less than ten seasons. He played 227 matches. Born on April 16th, 1933, he passed away on March 6th, 2012, the same day his Real Madrid celebrated 110 years of the club's storied history.
Marcos Alonso, father
His son, Marcos Alonso Peña, also made it to the professional ranks. He also made his debut with Racing Santander. It was shortly before he came of age. He did not have much more in common with his father. While his father played as a defender, Marcos played as a winger. His speed and overflowing talent made Atlético de Madrid fall in love with him, and they signed him in the summer of 1979. Three years later, when he was already an international, he was sold to Barcelona, where he stayed for five seasons and won all his titles.
One of his best moments as a Barcelona player came in the final of the Copa del Rey in Zaragoza in 1983 against Real Madrid. He scored a last-minute goal to give Barça the Cup, but what would his Madrid father think?
Then, in 1989, he returned to Atlético and a year later his son was born in the Spanish capital.
Marcos Alonso, son and grandson
And to continue the tradition, he called him Marcos. And that Marcos Alonso Mendoza is a current Barcelona player after signing this summer when he terminated his contract with Chelsea.
He started very young in the academy of Atletico, but did not take too long to change sides to sign for Real Madrid. After playing for all the youth teams, he made his debut. It was Manuel Pellegrini who gave him the chance on April 4th, 2010, when he was just 19 years old. By chance, his debut came against Racing Santander, the first club of his father and grandfather.
With no place in the first team, Marcos went to England, to Bolton. From there he tried his luck at Fiorentina, although he played part of his first season with the Viola at Sunderland. After succeeding in Italy, he moved to Chelsea, where he won his only titles to date: a Premier League, an FA Cup, a UEFA Cup, a Champions League, a European Super Cup and a Club World Cup. After seven years in London, he decided that his time there was over once he learned of the interest of the eternal rival of where he grew up, Barcelona.
This Sunday he will return to the stadium where he made his debut, the Santiago Bernabeu, where he will surely not receive the best possible welcome when Madrid fans see him wearing the shirt of their biggest enemy.