Diego López (Spanish footballer, born 1981)

For other people named Diego López, see Diego López.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is López and the second or maternal family name is Rodríguez.

Diego López Rodríguez (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈdjeɣo ˈlopeθ]; born 3 November 1981) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Diego López

López playing for Espanyol in 2017
Personal information
Full name	Diego López Rodríguez[1]
Date of birth	(1981-11-03) 3 November 1981 (age 43)[1]
Place of birth	Paradela, Spain
Height	1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)[1]
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Youth career
1990–1994	Sarriana
1994–1999	Lugo
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1999–2000	Lugo	2	(0)
2000–2003	Real Madrid C	62	(0)
2001–2002	→ Alcorcón (loan)	0	(0)
2003–2005	Real Madrid B	41	(0)
2005–2007	Real Madrid	2	(0)
2007–2012	Villarreal	171	(0)
2012–2013	Sevilla	8	(0)
2013–2014	Real Madrid	52	(0)
2014–2017	AC Milan	36	(0)
2016–2017	→ Espanyol (loan)	35	(0)
2017–2022	Espanyol	160	(0)
2022–2023	Rayo Vallecano	2	(0)
Total		571	(0)
International career
2001	Spain U18	1	(0)
2009	Spain	1	(0)
2005–2007	Galicia	3	(0)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Spain FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 South Africa
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

After spending seven years with Real Madrid, playing for its various teams, he made a name for himself in La Liga with Villarreal, appearing in 230 official games over the course of five seasons. In 2013, following a brief spell with Sevilla, he returned to Real Madrid.^[2]

López represented Spain at the 2009 Confederations Cup.

Club career

Real Madrid

López was born in Paradela, Lugo, Galicia. A youth graduate from hometown's CD Lugo he signed with Real Madrid at age 18 and, after a loan at another side from the capital region, AD Alcorcón, he eventually moved up to Real's B team, starting in his second season, which ended in promotion to the Segunda División.^[3]

López served as first-team backup to Iker Casillas in the following two La Liga campaigns: in the closing stages of 2005–06 he appeared in back-to-back away wins, against CA Osasuna (as Casillas was sent off)^[4] and Racing de Santander,^[5] adding a UEFA Champions League group stage game at Olympiakos FC, a 2–1 defeat.^[6]

Villarreal

López signing autographs with Villarreal in 2011

In late June 2007, López signed for Villarreal CF for a reported fee of €6 million,^[7] and started the season as second choice to Uruguayan Sebastián Viera but, after a string of fine performances – he played in the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Cup – he was picked for the first team, finishing the season with 21 matches.^[8]

López was ever-present in 2008–09, playing every minute and helping Villarreal finish fifth in the league. The following campaign was similar,^[9] but the team could only finish seventh, out of the European places. However, as fifth-placed RCD Mallorca were expelled from European competition due to bankruptcy, the Valencians took their place in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Europa League.

López featured in every league game except one in 2011–12, being given his marching orders against Sevilla FC in a 2–2 home draw in the second round.^[10] The Yellow Submarine were eventually relegated after twelve years, with the player conceding 50 goals. His 121 consecutive top-flight games set a 21st-century record in the league, which was broken by Iñaki Williams in 2019.^[11]

Sevilla

On 22 May 2012, López joined Sevilla on a five-year contract for a reported fee of €3.5 million.^[12] He split first-choice status with Andrés Palop during his spell.^[13]

Return to Real Madrid

López in action for Real Madrid in 2013

On 25 January 2013, López returned to Real Madrid after Casillas suffered a hand injury which ruled him out for 12 weeks, signing for €3.5 million until June 2017.^[14] Shortly upon arriving, he stated he had always dreamed of coming back to the club.^[15]

López played his first game in his second spell on 30 January 2013, in a 1–1 home draw against FC Barcelona in the Spanish Cup semi-finals.^[16] On 5 March, he made a string of saves as Real beat Manchester United 2–1 at Old Trafford to qualify for the last-eight in the Champions League (3–2 on aggregate); after the match, coach José Mourinho said: "Diego López was the best player in my team".^[17] He retained his position until the end of the season, even though Casillas had already returned to full fitness.

López retained his number one position at the start of the following campaign, when Carlo Ancelotti had replaced Mourinho. Casillas was played in both the Champions League and the domestic cup, however.^[18]

AC Milan

On 13 August 2014, Real Madrid and AC Milan reached an agreement over the transfer of López.^[19] He made his competitive debut on 31 August in the first match of the new season in Serie A, saving a late penalty from Antonio Candreva in a 3–1 win over SS Lazio.^[20] On 14 September he suffered a right thigh injury against Parma FC, being sidelined for almost a month.^[21]

After three matches without a win early into the 2015–16 campaign, manager Siniša Mihajlović dropped López in favour of 16-year-old Gianluigi Donnarumma.^[22]

Espanyol

On 31 August 2016, López joined RCD Espanyol on a season-long loan deal.^[23] He was elected La Liga Player of the Month in November, after not conceding in any of the three matches.^[24]

López's move was made permanent on 23 May 2017, on a three-year deal with a buyout clause of €50 million.^[25] He was overtaken by Pau López still under manager Quique Sánchez Flores,^[26][27] but after the latter moved to Real Betis, he regained his starting role and was the only player to feature in all 38 games of 2018–19.^[28]

In August 2020, after Espanyol's relegation, the nearly 39-year-old López signed for another season.^[29] In that year, he recorded the best figures for his position with 25 goals conceded in 40 matches, as the Pericos won the title.^[30]

Rayo Vallecano

López signed a one-year contract with Rayo Vallecano on 2 July 2022, as a free agent.^[31] In December 2023, having been unemployed for six months, he announced his retirement aged 42.^[32]

International career

Spain

As third goalkeeper, López was first selected for Spain for two 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in late March/early April 2009, both against Turkey.^[33] He was named in the squad by manager Vicente del Bosque for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa behind Casillas and Pepe Reina, and did not play any matches there.^[34]

López earned his only cap on 12 August 2009, playing the last 30 minutes of a 3–2 friendly win in Macedonia, replacing Reina and not conceding any goals.^[35]

Galicia

López made three appearances for the unofficial Galicia team, starting with their first game for 75 years on 29 December 2005. They won 3–2 against Uruguay in Santiago de Compostela.^[36]

Style of play

López was a commanding and well-rounded goalkeeper, with a large and imposing physique, strong leadership qualities and good handling, which facilitated him in coming out to claim crosses. Possessing quick reactions, concentration and a good positional sense, he was also an effective shot-stopper.

López was known in particular for his ball control, distribution and speed when rushing off his line to anticipate opponents.^[37][38]

Personal life

López married Iria Otero on 11 June 2011, fathering three children.^[39][40][41]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition^[42][43]

Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental[a]		Other[b]		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Lugo	1999–2000	Segunda División B	2	0	—		—		—		2	0
Real Madrid C	2000–01	Tercera División	38	0	—		—		—		38	0
	2002–03	Tercera División	24	0	—		—		—		24	0
	Total		62	0	—		—		—		62	0
Alcorcón (loan)	2001–02	Segunda División B	0	0	—		—		—		0	0
Real Madrid B	2003–04	Segunda División B	6	0	—		—		—		6	0
	2004–05	Segunda División B	35	0	—		—		—		35	0
	Total		41	0	—		—		—		41	0
Real Madrid	2005–06	La Liga	2	0	3	0	1	0	—		6	0
	2006–07	La Liga	0	0	4	0	1	0	—		5	0
	Total		2	0	7	0	2	0	—		11	0
Villarreal	2007–08	La Liga	20	0	6	0	8	0	—		34	0
	2008–09	La Liga	38	0	0	0	9	0	—		47	0
	2009–10	La Liga	38	0	2	0	9	0	—		49	0
	2010–11	La Liga	38	0	2	0	15	0	—		55	0
	2011–12	La Liga	37	0	0	0	8	0	—		45	0
	Total		171	0	10	0	49	0	—		230	0
Sevilla	2012–13	La Liga	8	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	11	0
Real Madrid	2012–13	La Liga	16	0	3	0	6	0	—		25	0
	2013–14	La Liga	36	0	0	0	1	0	—		37	0
	Total		52	0	3	0	7	0	—		62	0
AC Milan	2014–15	Serie A	28	0	0	0	—		—		28	0
	2015–16	Serie A	8	0	1	0	—		—		9	0
	Total		36	0	1	0	—		—		37	0
Espanyol (loan)	2016–17	La Liga	35	0	0	0	—		—		35	0
Espanyol	2017–18	La Liga	10	0	5	0	—		—		15	0
	2018–19	La Liga	38	0	0	0	—		—		38	0
	2019–20	La Liga	36	0	0	0	11	0	—		47	0
	2020–21	Segunda División	40	0	0	0	—		—		40	0
	2021–22	La Liga	36	0	2	0	—		—		38	0
	Total		195	0	7	0	11	0	—		213	0
Rayo Vallecano	2022–23	La Liga	2	0	3	0	—		—		5	0
Career total			571	0	34	0	69	0	0	0	674	0

1. Includes UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League
2. Includes Supercopa de España, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup

Honours

Real Madrid

• Copa del Rey: 2013–14; runner-up 2012–13^[42]
• UEFA Champions League: 2013–14^[42]

Espanyol

• Segunda División: 2020–21^[44]

Spain

• FIFA Confederations Cup third place: 2009^[34]

Individual

• La Liga Player of the Month: November 2016^[24]

References

1. "Diego López". RCD Espanyol. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
2. Molero, Iván (3 November 2021). "Diego López: 40 años, 40 paradas" [Diego López: 40 years, 40 saves]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 January 2024.
3. Armas González, Pedro (6 March 2018). "Diego López, el gallego que frenó a Leo Messi" [Diego López, the Galician who stopped Leo Messi] (in Spanish). Vavel. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
4. "Osasuna 0–1 Real Madrid". ESPN Soccernet. 30 April 2006. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
5. "Racing Santander 2–3 Real Madrid". ESPN Soccernet. 4 May 2006. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
6. "Olympiakos 2–1 Real Madrid: Second-string". ESPN Soccernet. 6 December 2005. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
7. "Diego López signs at Villarreal". UEFA. 26 June 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2008.
8. Andrés, Arnau (2 May 2008). "Diego López, a superar los récords de Pepe Reina" [Diego López, chasing Pepe Reina's records]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 June 2016.
9. Bryan, Paul (5 April 2011). "El jugador incombustible del Villarreal" [Villarreal's tireless player] (in Spanish). UEFA. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
10. "Villarreal claim battling draw". ESPN Soccernet. 10 September 2011. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
11. "Williams hace historia en LaLiga" [Williams makes history in LaLiga] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
12. "El Sevilla ficha a Diego López, un portero de altura para el nuevo proyecto" [Sevilla sign Diego López, tall goalkeeper for new project] (in Spanish). Sevilla FC. 22 May 2012. Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
13. Ramírez, Álvaro (18 January 2013). "Palop vs Diego López, enésima parte" [Palop vs Diego López, part umpteen] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
14. "Diego López, nuevo jugador del Real Madrid" [Diego López, new Real Madrid player] (in Spanish). Real Madrid CF. 25 January 2013. Archived from the original on 3 June 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
15. "Diego López: "Volver al club de mi corazón es algo muy especial"" [Diego López: "Returning to the club of my heart is quite special"] (in Spanish). Real Madrid CF. 26 January 2013. Archived from the original on 29 January 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
16. "Varane keeps Real hopes alive". ESPN FC. 30 January 2013. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
17. Hayward, Ben (4 April 2013). "Mourinho can't recall Casillas with Diego Lopez in such fantastic form". Goal. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
18. "Ancelotti's bizarre solution to keeper issue: Lopez plays Liga, Casillas plays Europe [Marca]". 101 Great Goals. 5 September 2013. Archived from the original on 16 March 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
19. "Official statement: Diego López". Real Madrid CF. 13 August 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
20. "AC Milan 3–1 Lazio: Inzaghi era starts with a bang". Goal. 31 August 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
21. Rapp, Timothy (15 September 2014). "Diego Lopez injury: Updates on AC Milan star's thigh and return". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
22. "European football: Neymar selfie, Pogba gets shirty". BBC Sport. 25 October 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
23. "AC Milan official statement". A.C. Milan. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
24. "Diego Lopez named LaLiga Santander Player of the Month for November". La Liga. 16 December 2016. Archived from the original on 7 January 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
25. "Calcio, Milan: Ceduto a titolo definitivo Diego Lopez all'Espanyol" [Football, Milan: Diego Lopez transferred permanently to Espanyol]. La Repubblica (in Italian). 23 May 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
26. "Pau se consolida y desafía la jerarquía de Diego López" [Pau solidifies and defies Diego Lopez's hierarchy]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 15 October 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
27. Martínez, Alberto (30 December 2017). "Pau y Diego: un 2018 con intercambio de papeles" [Pau and Diego: 2018 with a change of roles]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 January 2018.
28. Miserachs, Jaume (20 May 2019). "Diego López, único candidato al 'pleno al 38'" [Diego López, only candidate to the 'full 38']. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 January 2021.
29. "El portero Diego López renueva con el Espanyol pese al descenso" [Goalkeeper Diego López renews with Espanyol despite relegation]. La Voz de Galicia (in Spanish). 17 August 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
30. Cordovilla, Anna (31 May 2021). "De Tomás, 'pichichi', y Diego López, 'Zamora'" [De Tomás, top scorer, and Diego López, best goalkeeper]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 June 2021.
31. Zapico Díaz, José Antonio (2 July 2022). "Diego López, segundo fichaje del Rayo de Iraola" [Diego López, second signing of Iraola's Rayo]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 July 2022.
32. Volcano, Carlos (28 December 2023). "Ex-Real Madrid keeper Diego Lopez announces retirement – and new plans". Tribal Football. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
33. "Diego López, la única novedad de Del Bosque" [Diego López, only Del Bosque novelty]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 20 March 2009. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
34. "Diego López: "Nueva Zelanda ya demostró contra Italia que tiene potencial"" [Diego López: "New Zealand have already shown against Italy they have potential"]. Marca (in Spanish). 12 June 2009. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
35. "Crónica del Macedonia-España: 2–3" [Macedonia-Spain match report: 2–3.] (in Spanish). Europa Press. 12 August 2009. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
36. "Histórico triunfo ante un bicampeón mundial" [Historic triumph against a two-time world champion]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 30 December 2005. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
37. Della Valle, Fabiana (10 August 2014). "Milan, Vecchi su Diego Lopez: "Odia prendere gol, anche in allenamento"" [Milan, Vecchi on Diego Lopez: "He hates conceding goals, even in training"]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 22 August 2016.
38. "Inzaghi blinda i pali con Diego López" [Inzaghi shields the posts with Diego López]. La Repubblica (in Italian). 19 August 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
39. "Diego Lopez's wife Iria Otero Rodriguez". Player Wags. 2 August 2014. Archived from the original on 11 January 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
40. Spartan, John (26 November 2014). "Diego López and Iria Otero will be parents of their second child in spring of 2015". The Press Portal. Archived from the original on 13 April 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
41. Méndez de la Peña, Marcos (25 April 2018). "Diego López e Iria Otero dan la bienvenida a su tercera hija" [Diego López and Iria Otero welcome their third daughter]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 April 2018.
42. "Diego López". Soccerway. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
43. Diego López at ESPN FC
44. "El Espanyol cae como campeón ante un Alcorcón salvado" [Espanyol fall as champions against saved Alcorcón]. Sport (in Spanish). 30 May 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021.

External links

• Diego López at BDFutbol
• Diego López at National-Football-Teams.com