Ignacio Zoco Esparza (31 July 1939 – 28 September 2015) was a Spanish footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.

He played 12 years of his professional career with Real Madrid, appearing in more than 400 official games and winning ten major titles.

Zoco played more than 20 times with Spain, representing the nation in one World Cup and one European Championship, winning the 1964 European Nations' Cup.

Club career

Born in Garde, Navarre, Zoco joined CA Osasuna from another side in the region, amateurs CD Oberena. After spending the first months on loan to CD Iruña, he made his La Liga debut on 10 January 1960 in a 1–2 away loss against Real Oviedo, and eventually started in all the games he appeared in as the season ended in relegation.

In the 1962 summer Zoco signed for powerhouse Real Madrid, playing in only 13 matches in his first year, which ended with league conquest, but becoming a starter from there onwards. In 1965–66, apart from appearing in every minute in the domestic competition, he added nine complete games in the campaign's European Cup, including the final against FK Partizan (2–1 win).

Apart from those two accolades, Zoco won a further six national championships and two Copa del Rey trophies with Real Madrid, playing in a total of 64 games in European competition with the Merengues (six goals scored). He retired in June 1974 at the age of 35 and, 20 years later, was appointed the club's match delegate in replacement of Miguel Ángel González, retaining the position until 1998.

International career

Zoco earned 25 caps for Spain, making his debut on 19 April 1961 in a 2–1 away win against Wales for the 1962 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

He was selected for the squads at the 1964 European Nations' Cup, helping the national team win the tournament, and the 1966 World Cup.

Personal life / Death

Zoco married singer/songwriter María Ostiz (born 1944) in 1974, with the couple fathering three children and going on to remain married 41 years. He succeeded Alfredo Di Stéfano at the helm of Real Madrid's Veterans Association, after the latter's death.

Zoco died in Madrid on 28 September 2015, after a long battle with illness. He was 76 years old.

Honours

Real Madrid

• European Cup: 1965–66
• La Liga: 1962–63, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1971–72
• Copa del Generalísimo: 1969–70, 1973–74; Runner-up 1967–68
• Intercontinental Cup: Runner-up 1966
• UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: Runner-up 1970–71

• UEFA European Championship: 1964