Rest In Peace: Marcos Alonso Imaz (Marquitos)

Sad news on Real’s 110th anniversary… Defender Marquitos who made 154 appearances for Los Blancos from 1954-1962 has passed away in Santander at the age of 78. Playing in the Merengues’ golden era along side such luminaries as Alfredo di Stéfano and Ferenc Puskás, they won the following honors during his time at Real:

Intercontinental Cup: 1960
European Cup: 1955–56, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1958–59, 1959–60
Latin Cup: 1955, 1957
Spanish League: 1954–55, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1960–61, 1961–62
Spanish Cup: 1961–62

He played for the Spain B & Spain National Teams. He also began a Spanish footballing dynasty.

His son Marcos Alonso Pena came up through Real’s cantera and went on to play for Racing Santander, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Logroñés. He represented Spain at the following levels: U18, U19, U20, U21, U23, amateur, B and senior levels. He went on to coach: Rayo Vallecano, Racing Santander, Sevilla, Atlético Madrid, Zaragoza, Valladolid, Málaga and Granada 74.

Marquitos’ grandson Marcos Alonso Mendoza also came up through the Madrid cantera. He played for Castilla and made one appearance with the first team (subbing in for Pipita in 2010). He currently plays as a wingback for EPL side Bolton Wanderers. He also made 4 appearances with Spain’s U19 side in 2009.

Our thoughts go out to his family at this difficult time. Rest in peace, Marquitos.

– Lozil